A career in journalism How do I get into journalism?

Trainees come into the industry by a variety of routes. Some are recruited directly by a newspaper in their local area and carry out their basic training under the terms of a training contract. This is known as direct entry.

However, the majority of trainees are recruited after attending vocational education and training courses. These are normally for graduates. Such courses are generally run by colleges accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. This route is known as pre-entry.
Some colleges will grant places to people on pre-entry courses only if they have already had a work experience placement at a newspaper. Therefore, it would be sensible for you to write to a number of local newspaper editors to ask if they will allow you to join their team of reporters as an observer for a few days. Explain why you think you would make a good reporter and try to pick a time other than July, when pressure on work experience places is at its greatest. You should try to be the applicant who stands out as the most committed to newspaper journalism, and the most able. But do not be put off if you receive rejection letters, as there is strong competition for places. Editors appreciate and respect determination and persistence.
Many people ask about becoming freelance journalists. To begin with, you must know the paper you’re hoping to write for; the article should be approximately the same number of words normally employed by the editorial column in that paper, and on one of the topics that are most likely to be used. Approach the editor in writing. Send a written synopsis of your article, enclosing some information about yourself and, if possible, some other articles you have had printed, whether in your local paper or in your student magazine.
Task 1. Vocabulary
Find the meaning of the following words highlighted in yellow.

1. journalism
2. variety
3. routes
4. recruited
5. vocational
6. sensible
7. rejection
8. persistence
9. freelance
10. approximately

Task 2. Sentence Completion. After reading the passage above try to complete the sentences below.
1. Many people have received a training contract with a newspaper.
2. Pre-entry training courses are held at approved
3. Send a letter or email to the editors of newspapers to ask about becoming a temporary