News & blog

One of the clearest trends shown in the Journalist at Work research is the increasing number of people who report that they are working as journalists. Data from the Office for National Statistics suggest that there are 73,000 people working as journalists in the UK, an increase from 65,000 in 2012.

I’ve entertained the idea of being a journalist since secondary school but, distracted by visions of being a graphic designer, working in publishing or becoming a lecturer, I didn’t settle properly on a career in journalism until the latter end of my undergraduate degree.

I’ve entertained the idea of being a journalist since secondary school but, distracted by visions of being a graphic designer, working in publishing or becoming a lecturer, I didn’t settle properly on a career in journalism until the latter end of my undergraduate degree.

In a short amount of time I went from a part time sales assistant to a news writer for an all-female editorial team – and I’ve never felt more empowered.

In a short amount of time I went from a part time sales assistant to a news writer for an all-female editorial team – and I’ve never felt more empowered.

To mark International Women’s Day 2019 and highlight the importance of gender balance in the workplace – particularly in senior positions – we’ve conducted a Q&A with the following female members of the Community News Project governance committee:

"My second day working at the Isle of Wight County Press I was sent to a bat hospital. I spent an hour meeting the residents (yes, I did stroke a bat) before filing my first article as a trainee reporter. Needless to say, in the past 18-months, life in local news hasn’t gotten any less eclectic."

"Starting a journalism apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s hard work and throws you in at the deep end but it is immensely rewarding. A buzzing newsroom full of reporters and editors is a hive of activity and an invaluable resource for a new journalist."

"I was lucky enough to be accepted onto the Sky Sports News Apprenticeship scheme back in 2017 and having had the option to go to university, I can honestly say it has been the best decision I have ever made."