Job Family: Media, Print and Publishing

Working in media, print and publishing involves creating products that inform and entertain people. Opportunities are available across the range of different media, including books, newspapers, magazines, interactive media, film, TV, radio, and online. Career opportunities are available in:

• editorial work - deciding and overseeing the style and scope of the content that will be produced, or researching, writing and checking content to match the brief
• design and visual work - presenting information in a creative, consistent and visually interesting way, such as through photography, animation or layout
• production work - using technical skills to produce the finished product, such as printing magazines, editing film footage, or recording and mixing sounds
• management - overseeing the commercial aspects, such as collecting royalty payments, sales and marketing, planning schedules, or commissioning authors or other freelance staff.

Many jobs in this sector require early starts and late finishes, day, evening, night and weekend working. Long hours may be required to meet deadlines. While some workers are based in offices, studios or print shops, others may be required to travel frequently and some work outside in all weather conditions.

Employers range from very small companies to large organisations with thousands of employees. Many people in this sector are self-employed and work on a freelance basis.

In England, around 500,000 people work in the creative media sectors, over a quarter of which are freelancers. The printing industry employs around 150,000 people, while a further 66,000 work in the literary arts. Competition for many roles is intense.

There are opportunities throughout the UK, although national newspapers, magazines, broadcasting companies and many publishing companies tend to be based in major cities, particularly London. Freelancers and employees working on specific projects in media, photography and journalism may be required to travel anywhere in the UK, or even overseas, for work.

Creativity is an essential skill for many media, print and publishing jobs. Communication skills, the ability to work well in a team, IT skills, presentational skills and self-confidence are also likely to be important.

There are no set entry requirements for many jobs but, because entry is so competitive, applicants with relevant qualifications are likely to have an advantage. Many media professionals are graduates. Often, junior positions are filled by graduates with the aim of gaining work experience and making useful contacts. Applicants in these fields need to be persistent and committed to succeed. Relevant work experience, which may be unpaid, can be a vital step to finding paid employment. There are opportunities in printing for entrants at every level. The Diploma in creative and media may be relevant for some jobs.

Training opportunities include on-the-job training, short courses and part-time courses offered by colleges and universities. Apprenticeships and work-related qualifications, such as NVQs, are available for some roles. Continuing professional development (CPD) may be necessary to keep up to date with new technology. Freelancers must fund their own training.

Many careers have no formal promotion structure, but experienced workers may be able to progress to more senior roles. It may be possible to work overseas.

Why not have a look at other career family articles as they may hold information on related jobs.

March 2010