What is Journalism and Publishing
Journalism is the act of reporting on current and past events through various forms of media such as; print, television, radio and internet. This sector requires a keen interest in current affairs however can fall in to many sub industries such as, politics, music, celebrity culture and film.
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On the other side of the industry, there are the people who take written content and put it out into the world. Every book, magazine or newspaper you’ve ever read – printed or otherwise – will have gone through the gates of a publishing house in at least some capacity. On the journey from a mere idea to a finished piece of work, publishers play a huge role in making media a reality.
Key roles in Publishing
From dealing with the authors themselves to editing, designing, printing and publishing covers, this career path offers widespread appeal for graduates with a passion for culture.
We’ve touched on the diversity of roles in publishing, but where exactly could a career in the industry take you? These are just a few jobs that might jump out:
Editor: Publishers have high standards, and editors are responsible for upholding them, polishing a piece of work to perfection ready for the world.
Designer: From book covers to typography, designers have an eye for detail that ensures the presentation is just as irresistible as the words within.
Printer: Printed media is still incredibly popular; printers work to publishing deadlines and orders to ensure distribution flows smoothly.
Marketers: Creating a buzz around a book launch is no mean feat, which is where talented marketers and PR graduates can really come into their own.
Sales Executive: Ultimately, the success of a book or newsletter depends on the sales executives who ensure the orders flock in for printed copies.
Learn more about the types of roles available in Journalism and Publishing, and what skills or academics you need to apply.
Key firms in this sector
Bay Media
Bay Media creates incredible experiences and memories with raised advertising - it's likely you will have seen something created by Bay Media already. They transform the look of city streets and large indoor spaces in the most inspirational ways possible. They call it, 'street dressing.'
The BBC
The BBC is the world's leading public service broadcaster. Its mission is to enrich people's lives with programmes that inform, educate and entertain. Quick fact: one in every 16 adults around the world uses BBC News.
Pearson
Pearson is a British multinational publishing and education company founded way back in the 1920s. Headquartered in London, Pearson aims to bring together leading names in education to provide content, curricula, assessment, training and information systems to make learning more engaging and effective.
Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House is the world's largest print and digital trade book publisher. They publish roughly 10,000 new books per year in digital, audio and print formats - selling more than 400 million books annually across the globe. They have recently launched The Scheme, to find the editors of tomorrow and help make the frontline of publishing more inclusive.
Sky
At Sky, they've been making entertainment better for over 25 years with their mix of TV that people love, pioneering technology, award-winning service and superfast broadband - they strive on a genuine team effort. Across the business, whether in front of the camera or behind the scenes, they're always looking for new ways to make things better for the customers.
Key Skills needed in this sector
Excellent written and communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
- A passion for culture
- Deadline driven
- Versatile and adaptable
- Comfortable with taking criticism
Learn more about the key skills and attributes you need to work in the Journalism sector.
Did you know ...
- According to the Publishers Association (PA), overall print sales were up 3% to £3.5bn in 2019 and digital sales were up 4% to £2.8bn, driven by a 39% increase from a sweep of audiobook downloads.
- According to Creative Industries, there were 200,000 jobs in publishing in 2015, having risen by 3.7% from 2014.
- Perhaps unsurprisingly, the best-selling book of all time is the Bible.
- In 2016, The Independent became the first newspaper in the UK to become digital only.
- According Statista, the leading newspaper in terms of overall reach in the United Kingdom from April 2019 to March 2020 was The Sun, with a combined reach from its print editions and website of just over 38 million!
If you're keen to know how much you could earn in the Journalism and Publishing sector, read our article all about it.
Taking the next steps...
As you can see, publishing careers are a promising route for talented graduates with a love of the written word. Browse internships in journalism and publishing to get started.