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Alexander and his Masters in International Journalism
Lured by the crusading aspects of journalism, Harriet Alexander tells QS Topgradschool.com she has vowed to take on the world through a respected qualification.
Name: Harriet Alexander
Age: 25
Home city/country: London, UK, but originally from Rutland
Degree/s: BA International Politics. MA International Journalism
Place of study: Undergrad: Leeds. Postgrad: City University, London
Year of intended graduation: Leeds: June 2005, City: May 2009
Career aspirations: Journalism
Harriet Alexander has always admired and gravitated to the creativity and intelligent nature of how journalists communicate the truth. "I've always wanted to be a journalist - my mother joked that I was addicted to print as I would devour any written words, read every newspaper lying around, even read things written on the back of cereal packets! I've always loved current affairs, and had an interest in the wider world. I'm curious. I like writing, meeting new people, doing interviews, travelling. And I like the "crusading" aspirations of journalism - although there is not much of that left nowadays - in the idea that you can expose wrong and try to highlight under-represented causes."
Harriet's love for the written word almost fooled her into reading English Literature, she soon realised her mistake after a year abroad. "I spent my gap year working for a newspaper in Ghana, and was quite embarrassed when I was asked about the politics of my country and did not have a clue! I knew I needed to educate myself! And the university was surprised; apparently English Lit is a far more difficult course to get accepted onto than politics. But I never regretted switching; I loved my degree."
Though the average salary for journalists is �23,000, the starting for a trainee reporter on a local/regional paper can be as low as �10,000 depending on experience.
Though the average salary for journalists is £23,000, the starting for a trainee reporter on a local/regional paper can be as low as £10,000 depending on experience. But for Harriet, "it is far more important to do a job that you love, than spray bottles of Cristal over people you pretend are friends from work."
However, these days it seems as though you don't have be trained or accredited and that a generation of storytellers are bypassing traditional routes of education. "Although the power of "citizen journalism" is undeniable, I think there is always a place for well-trained journalists with the ability to tell the story accurately, concisely and accessibly. It's great that people are blogging, using camera phones, and shooting their own films for You Tube, but I don't think that will ever replace professional journalists. Their work can compliment ours, and it means that as journalists we have a potential army of sources and an infinite picture library."
An MA in International Journalism is vocationally oriented with a high emphasis on developing practical skills in print or broadcast. Therefore, whereas some courses may ask you to sit an exam, potential candidates only need to display a commitment to journalism, show enthusiasm and drive. "Some people studying for the MA were incredibly talented and experienced; others couldn't write that well at all. Some people had worked for the BBC for years before doing the course; others were well-respected journalists in their own countries looking for an internationally respected qualification. But you did need to have fairly extensive work experience".
There is no correct path to journalism, but the program does attempt to provide students with solid foundations to begin or continue their careers at home and abroad. Building upon the significance of contacts students are encouraged to network in all areas whilst on internship placements, with tutors and guest speakers.
Harriet�s chosen path has led her to Ghana, Spain and Chile, she�s worked with the Financial Times, CNN, BBC, Sunday Times and The Independent. Her first love maybe journalism but her ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, write coherently and persuasively has also prepared her for career in PR - but that�s only if she�ll take it.
