Industry representatives and Journalism alumni return to NTU to discuss careers in the industry

The Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism (CBJ) held their annual CBJ Futures Day, which welcomed guest speakers from a diverse range of news media outlets and the creative industries.

The first panel of industry experts answering questions

Students from the Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism (CBJ) took part in the annual CBJ Futures day this January to explore potential careers after graduation. Students were keen to hear from our successful alumni and industry partners about routes into the Journalism industry, work experience opportunities and alternative careers in the creative industries.

We were pleased to welcome back a panel of successful alumni, who discussed with students their career path after graduation. Their jobs ranged from radio presenters to fashion editors, as well as those that hadn’t entered the Journalism industry but were working in similar fields such as PR or Marketing. Cameron Walker, who graduated in 2018, returned to discuss his current role on the prestigious ITV News Traineeship scheme. Cameron was one of only 12 students in the UK to have been accepted on to the scheme last year, so his success was particularly inspiring for current BA (Hons) Journalism and BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism students.

Two panels of industry representatives followed, offering a wealth of insights and advice for students considering their options for the future. Individuals from ITV, BBC Radio Nottingham, Sky News and Sheffield Star attended, amongst communications and PR professionals from Citigate Dewe Rogerson PR, South Yorks Fire and Rescue and more. The guests discussed how to make the most out of work experience opportunities, including having the confidence to offer suggestions and ideas and ensuring you understand the target audience for your chosen organisation. When looking for graduate jobs, the panel recommended developing digital skills and an understanding of social media, which is becoming essential to all areas of the journalism industry. The panel also offered advice for pitching to employers, whether that be documentary ideas or story ideas, and the importance of research skills, which they have developed during university.

There was a chance for students to network with the industry representatives following the event, an invaluable opportunity for those just starting out in their career. The event was another great success, with students gaining valuable advice about their next steps and feeling motivated to pursue their goals.