When I grow up…. (Adeshola)

As a University student hoping to become a journalist, I’d like to think that print media is far from ‘dead’. Ironically, though I type these words to be published on a blog. Most recently was the Fairfax saga in which it was announced that hundreds of jobs would be cut from newspaper giants ‘The Age’ and the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’. Furthermore, the announcement of a move towards digital copies of the two newspapers made clear the fact that there is a progression away from print media towards online mediums of journalism. However, with thousands of jobs being cut it is becoming an increasingly harder field to break into.

So where does that leave hopeful young university students like myself who for years have idolised the notion of writing for a newspaper, a magazine or becoming published authors? What’s one to do when the media inundates us with negative perceptions of journalism careers and even friends and family giving you looks of pity at the word ‘journalism’. Even walking in to University last week I was struck by Farrago’s discouraging subheading: ‘Journalism: Its fucked’.

Feeling quite discontent, I attended Farrago’s ‘How to break into the media’ workshop last Friday and must say it was thoroughly intriguing. It was presented by Tracie Winch (freelance writer, columnist and ABC producer) who provided her insights into the increasingly competitive industry of journalism. While it was definitely a wake-up call in terms of the dedication needed to pursue such a career, I walked out of the room feeling quite inspired. While I scribbled down pages of notes, her main message was this: If you want something badly enough and are prepared to work hard for it, you will achieve it. It may however not come in the time frame or form that you originally intended. You will eventually get their though.

That’s not to say that journalism is not a competitive industry, only increasingly so with a progression towards online mediums, but a career in it is not out of reach for those willing to follow it. These words do not only apply to the field of journalism, but to any profession desired by students. While its early days in the Bachelor of Arts, workshops and conversations with those in the industry provide valuable inspiration to University students like myself that make each subject, each semester seem worth it in the long haul.

Adeshola