Catch 22 for those interested in journalism

How to get experience, when to get it, you already need experience? It's an eternal infernal question, especially for those in the media industry, where contacts are key. But an organisation called Catch22 aims to remedy this dilemma. It's a social enterprise, started by journalist Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, who specialise in teaching young people from diverse backgrounds the skills needed to succeed as journos.

I applied because I was after more and doggedly determined to enter a life of writing. I already study a multi-media journalism degree at Bournemouth University, a great place for it, so it is kind of overkill. But I was attracted to Catch because it offers work experience with some big publications - their media partners include: Economist, Conde Nast, Bauer Media, Trinity Mirror...and 11 others.

They also offer practical experience while enrolled on the course - pitching, developing and writing up features for their in-house magazine which is distributed throughout London.

It's been a good experience so far, currently half-way through the 3-month course (the whole program lasts a year, although their ultimate goal is employment), and helpful. The regular feature meetings, where we have to pitch ideas we've come up in a short time is great practise. Ideas, after all, are the hammer and sickle (not that I'm a communist or anything) of the trade.

Check out this video of the program

It's not a good time to get into journalism. Or so I've heard. At least 26,786 times. Circulation figures continue to fall, while the numbers of those studying media courses rises. Kelvin Mackenzie, former Sun editor, recently wrote in The Independent on the worthlessness of these degrees. Whatever. But one thing he said struck me: "The print business is working out ways to get rid of you, not hiring you!" Has ever a more fibrous chord of futility been rung that cut to the core of my professional ambitions? 

But I persevere. I leave you with two quotes that help me keep true:

"The struggle itself is the reward" - Ricky Gervais

"Be so good they can't ignore you" - Steve Martin.

For my next post I will be interviewing my fellow Catch colleagues...

Useful sites:

1. http://www.poynter.org/  - full of practical advice, on writing style to using social networks
2. http://careers.guardian.co.uk/live-q-and-a/discuss/3d26927a-347a-462a-a83e-9c2bd2fad4a7 - Guardian live chat with tips from industry insiders as well as those climbing the ladder
3. www.medianation.co.uk - site dedicated to scouring for work experience and employment opportunites in the media. Great stuff. 
4. http://www.theawl.com/2010/08/seven-years-as-a-freelance-writer-or-how-to-make-vitamin-soup - glorious paean to the joys and rigours of freelancing