Skills and Qualifications Needed

Many employers in the media industry look for people formal qualifications. These are not always media related qualifications. They could be related to subjects such as, English language/ literature if they're looking for journalists and or writers. Potential employees with experience including certain media qualities such as, using media equipment like cameras are more likely to be shortlisted for an interview. Voluntary work may also show a good potential employee as you are showing good development skills and commitment.

Some employers understand the value of part-time education, and may allow you to attend a local college to further your skills and qualifications while being employed.

Some parts of the media industry have a 'closed shop' system, this is where you will need particular and certain skills and qualifications to work in the particular section. An example is the newspaper industry, you need a qualification from the National Council for the Training of Journalists to work as a journalist , otherwise you will really struggle.

It is extremely unlikely that anyone undergoing a Level 2 BTEC qualification would be successful in an application for a senior production or managerial position in the media industry. It would be best to start with a lower level role (for example, runner) and then build up their skills in order to progress in their career. Whereas taking a Level 3 BTEC Media qualification shows a higher level of understanding and knowledge but for some jobs may still not be enough.

Nowadays there are a number of growing colleges and universities that are offering media places for students. Many of these may also provide work experience or work related activities. This gives more experience and may provide you with a better understanding about media work.

If you want to end up working in the media industry, you will need a specific type of CV, called a Media CV. These should include various techniques and skills you have acquired over the time of studying media. This skills could include things such as, operating cameras and able to using editing software such as, final cut.