More Competition for Media Jobs

Hello, hello, my name is Natalie and this is a blog on the problems and possibilities for graduates hoping to forge a career in media.

This won't be a personal blog where I update everything I'm doing in my life - I have one at http://journodent.blogspot.com so pop over there if you want to be nosy - but instead I will blog my thoughts, opinions and experience of different media roles and issues that relate to recent graduates.

Anyone with the slightest interest in media knows that organisations are struggling around the world. US heavyweight papers are on the verge of collapse, in Britain the media groups are downsizing local papers to weather the storm and regional television is now nearly non-existent. The 'credit crunch' isn't the cause of these problems, but has accelerated the decline of advertising in 'traditional media' (i.e. print and television) because fewer employers are hiring, more businesses are going bust and budgets are slashed across the board.

Many jobs are now vulnerable, as media organisations announce more redundancies for journalists, editors, sub-editors, freelancers and producers with each passing week. Not only are there fewer jobs, but competition is higher than ever.

Graduates are deeply affected by the lack of jobs, with loans and rent to pay, but creative thinking may save the day. I hope that analysing different media roles, training and trends will be both informative and thought-provoking, and of course I welcome any feedback or questions you'd care to give.

Just for the record - my background is mostly student media - I've edited magazines and newspaper sections as well as a little student radio and online reporting. I've also been features editor for the national Working Abroad magazine, so have experience of the commercial pressures of modern publishing. I'm currently on an MA at Sheffield University and freelancing on the side.