Is 26 too late to begin a career in journalism?
I have always wanted to be a journalist but have never had the guts to put myself ‘out there’. However, I would really like to change careers and am wondering how easy it would be to make a move into journalism – probably magazine.
I live in London and currently am looking at taking a part-time training course while I continue with my current job and maybe get some work experience – so far I have only had one article published although I do a lot of writing for work. I also have a degree in English.
Any advice anyone could provide would be seriously appreciated. I am also slightly concerned about a drop in salary so anyone who knows how much junior reporters would earn/how quickly they could be promoted I would be grateful if you could let me know.
You are young. Make sure to start a portfolio of your writing samples for potential employers. The best way to build a strong portfolio is to start off as a freelance writer. Talk to editors and other writers. Most newspapers and magazine editors love freelance writers because they can count on one or two articles a week from you.
You can be really marketable if you also submit photos with your work.
Christopher & Peter Hitchens on Manufactured News, Al Gore, and Mother Teresa (1995-1)
