In Ireland, the worlds of marketing, market research, advertising, public relations and some brands of journalism are closely inter-linked and practitioners can move between them in order to develop their careers. Salaries are good for those who want to advance further, but the work can be demanding in terms of personal lifestyles and energy levels generally. Hours are long and irregular, often involving tight deadlines, so flexibility is essential.

Jobs in media

This sector encompasses many job specifications within journalism, print media, film, television and radio among others. Although advantageous, a degree isn’t always necessary and competition for places is fierce. Work is often on a freelance or short-term basis.

In film and television, roles include those involved in financial, creative or logistical organisation and planning (producer, director, assistant directors, production assistants etc), researchers and writers as well as technical positions (camera, sound etc). Support functions provide other possibilities, such as in makeup or set design. Radio work can be broken down into content production (producer, reporter, presenter etc) and technical production (engineers). Opportunities exist at both regional and national stations.

Career paths in print and web journalism and editing vary in how structured they are. Writers can be staff or freelance and in magazine graduates starting out could be assistant editors or trainees. Don’t forget about other roles in this sector such as design and sales.

Entry routes

Quality training courses across Ireland and Northern Ireland are increasing, but whether the job market can keep up with the numbers seeking careers in these industries is debatable. Initial work can be piecemeal and sporadic so networking is important in gaining necessary experience. As you build your reputation, choice of work and job locations will widen. However, the reality remains that most job seekers will initially work for very low wages, or even for free on short-term contracts, in order to ‘get their foot in the door’.

Applications for most media fields will require a portfolio of work (written for journalism; audio for radio) and it’s worth building up a range of examples. CV and letters, emphasising your experience, are still preferred methods of application, and again networking is vital.

Jobs in marketing

Marketing is a popular career choice for graduates. You can improve your chances if you have developed an expertise in languages, or if you understand global markets and international business.

Generally speaking, marketing jobs can involve:

• devising and implementing marketing strategies
  
• overseeing the quality, price and distribution of products and customer service
  
• working closely with production, sales, distribution and finance departments
  
• publicising new products, involving commissioning advertising agencies, sponsoring events and generally gaining publicity for the product or activity.

Marketing activity may be undertaken from a marketing department within a large company, or from an agency which serves a number of external clients. There are opportunities for new graduates within large Irish plcs, often in the food and drink sector.

Jobs in publishing

The Publishers Association breaks the field of publishing down into three main areas: general and consumer books, children's books and educational/academic/specialist publishing. Various graduate roles are available to those interested in a career in publishing: you can work as an editorial assistant, a proof reader (there are training courses available in this area) or copy editor, or you can work with the design team who specialise in laying up the pages of publications. Pay is often modest at the start, with a minority of people gaining high wages with further experience.

Job hunting tips

Make speculative applications to the companies you're interested in working for, and follow these up with a phone call. Professional bodies and associations may also be able to put you in contact with people working in the industry.

Jobs in these areas are competitive, and relevant experience is necessary to demonstrate your commitment. For example, if you want to pursue a career in journalism it is recommended that you write articles for your institution's magazines or newspapers; to boost your advertising and strategic marketing experience, get involved in any campus marketing campaigns. Look out, too, for internships offered by some companies.

Further information

For more information see the gradireland Journalism & Media sector career guide, available to download from our Publications page.