Anyone working in media/studying media/in possession of a media degree.

How hard was it to get a job, and was it what you wanted to do? I know this may seem a strange question, but im getting to that stage when i have to decide what im doing.

I originally went to college hoping to go on to uni to study media, but due to some cockups, i ended up dropping out after 1.3 years and getting a crappy job. Anyway, i still want to study media, and all i have to do is go back to college and finish up my media coursework in order to get into a digital media degree at uni.

Reason i asked my question is, i need to know are there the jobs out there at the end of it. I really want to do this at uni, but realise im going to be having a crappy life if i dont end up doing what i want at the end of it, and owing lots of money back. My parents are worried at this fact and think the RAF is what i should be doing, but if i can reasonably prove to myself that there will be jobs at the end of it, i'd rather go the uni route (plus it means i don't have to endure a minimum of 9 years in a job i might not like ).

Sorry for this being a fairly long post, and i don't know why i asked, but i suppose its better to ask than not

Cheers

Lee

 

Firstly, no need for appologising for the post.

Secondly, while it's good your folks are showing interest in your plans, ultimately it's up to YOU! If you make a decision and it doesn't work out, you live and learn.

I didn't do media MOself, but quite a few of my mates did courses that come under the media umberella, at both college (diploma, A level etc...) and Uni (Degree) levels.

Out of quite a few people, I can think of only one who's in full time employment related to his course He did journalism and is now working with a local paper as a reporter/photogrpher. Another lad I know did a similar course but has found it hard to get into the area he wants which is MOre magazine type work like music reviews. He's done a few things for the big issue.

Two other friends who did media togeather are now in the south of France working on a ski resort for 6MOnths.

A good friend who did sound engineering and got top makrs for his degree has done a few odds and ends, but is now doing factory work while trying to gain MOre experience.

A few others who did stuff MOre on the film side of it are in a similar position.

Doesn't read very well sorry. But it's worth pointing out these are all people who have only graduated in the last couple of years so it's still early days. And i'm sure they're not pushing themselves too hard yet and enjoying life a bit before getting into full time work.

I guess luck is obviously an issue, but also, you get what you put into it. MOst of my mates are happy to not push themselves too hard (yet).

Good luck with whatever you do

 

The media studies is a big issue. The big problem is with it is not that its easy as such but more the fact its the most popular degree and their are far to many graduates in this area.

If it is job propects you are after then having a media studies degree won't do you any harm but it may not do that much good either. Only the very best media studies graduates actually get jobs in the media. If you go to a good university you are in with a chance but if you get it from some where like Paisley then its not going to look too impressive on your CV.

In terms of career prospects you would be better of just studying plain old english language as it can be used as a base for journalism, teaching and all sorts of jobs.

Either way if you want to go to university and you think you can hack it then go for it, I quickly realised after working building PCs in some grotty office for £3 an hour that getting a decent education is the only way foward. I initally started out just getting A levels for this but ended up at uni.

 

MO not sure if your mates already tried this.but get them to drop there c.v into ALL the local theatres,sound+lighting hire companys,coonfrence companys ect and enquire about casual work,might not be doing sound straight away but its a foot in the door and a good way of making contacts,all assuming there into live sound

 

I think he's MOre interested I studio work, not too sure. He's been making his own music for as long as I can remember.

He applied to loads of studios and has done a few odds and ends. He also did a bit of work which involved working in a few churches! And also managed to get some stuff on the Parkinson show! I think he did the sound for Annie Lennox.

He's got talent as far as making music goes. Does quite a veriety of stuff himself and has done other bits with my brother and mates who write and play too. Acoustic guitar and vocals with atMOspheric beats and loops! Yes please! Yummy!

 

Yeh, i already knew the thing about the too many media graduates, it is mainly because media is viewed as a soft option. Thing is, i would be doing Digital Media, specialising in film, and i'm pretty sure i could force myself to get a very high grade (i got B in A level, except for my coursework which i couldnt be bothered with - this is what im re-sitting). I know there are also prospects for working in the PR and advertising sectors too. I guess i'll just have to take the plunge and hope it turns out well, could always become a media teacher if things didn't work out too well

MO!, has your sound producing friend sent off any demos of recordings he's made to studios? Pretty sure this would be a good way of getting into it (aswell as standing outside during the studio through wind and rain - fight club-esque ).

 

Oh, amazingtrade, i did study english language at college, but quit after my first year. I thought it would be interesting like it was in school, but it was so dull i don't think i cuold stick it out for 4 more years :/

 

<old git mode on>

Dont do a media course - you'll just be seen to be taking a mickey mouse degree. I bet you've even considered going into pop idol as well.

Get a proper course under your belt, one which will give you good chances at working in what you studied.

If you were married (or had a partner) and had more responsibilities you wouldnt do the media studies course - too risky.

Are you planning on getting hitched (or living with someone) in the future??? I guess you will.

Do the right thing - not the easy dreamy thing.

<old git mode off>

Does this sound familiar? Maybe its true?

Good luck m8 //lamboy

 

If you want to do a media production course such as digital film then the job prospects will probably be better than just standard media studies because it will be more vocational. Am studying Multimedia and Internet Technology but its more about computing than anything else.

If you are over 21 and got good A level grades you should have no problems getting into some of the better universties. I say universties rather than uni because uni seems to be slang for the 'modern' polytetnic style ones.

I agree with Lamboy that its going to be risky but there is no point on studying somthing like chemestry if you're not going to enjoy it.

Just a final thought the people that study things like media studies because its a mickey mouse subject are the people that fail. This is why the failure rate for A level Media Studies is higher than A level maths.

 

Media degrees once had a value as they were ways (for many of us, the only practical way) of getting a union card. Once upon a time that was important. It's not anymore.
Really useful qualifications for working in the media include: a valid driving license, foreign language ability (the more the better), a basic knowlege of electrical thingumiebobbing, the ability to go without sleep for days and days on end, the ability to get up very early in the morning, knowledge of basic taxation and book keeping, the ability to get your way with recalcitrant customs / police / others in uniform and frequently armed with large, loaded firearms, and the ability to make smalltalk with your gaffer as you while away the hours on the A1 driving down to Nice in the Espace or the afternoon flight to Reykjavik. Finally, you must know how to brew a superb cuppa anytime anyplace. Cooking skillz can also come in very handy.
None of the above are taught properly or even taught at all on media courses (from memory).
Do as both Lamboy and Mad Hippy both suggest: do a uni course in someting interesting / challenging (anthropology / nuclear physics - whatever), and at the same time get practical experience doing something - could be sound work, photo assisting, whatever. It doesn't really matter. Very few of us have any *real* idea of what we want to do or are good at before our mid-late 20s IME.
Unfortunately, you really need to do all of the above in London. That is where the opportunities small and large are (at least that's how it used to be).
You abosloltely need to get some kind of pasrt time job and be prepared to work yo ass to the bone for sod all money and be cheerful for the opportunity.

 

To lamboy: To me it isn't a mickey mouse degree. To those people who want to say 'i've got a degree', sure, its a way of wasting 3 years of their life and getting drunk. However, i am not one of those people, im only going to be 20 when i go so not really very old, and i plan on getting a very good result. It is more vocational than the ordinary media course, as it's more about building on your portfolio than learning about the bbc (more or less 50% of the AS mark ). I'm willing to work hard for it, and i'm willing to pull my finger out and do work (i'd have to be, considering how much debt i'll be in).

And no, family thoughts don't enter my conscience thankfully

 

If you can get a good grade then you will probably be fine, if its at a good uni. If you get a third class in media studies from your local institue then 3 years work experience will be worth more.

I was 20 when I started my degree (well had just turned 20). I hated working in a poxy job and spending 6 months trying to find a better job only be told come back when you have a degree.

 

i could always study english aswell as a combined degree, but i dont kniow much about the combined ones. Thing is, i think i'd have to go and finish english language at college whilst im doing media (and still working to save to pay my way through university).

 

If you are a good quality student then it dosn't really matter. There are a lot of poor quality students out there but they won't pass so won't really devalue the good students anyway.

I do think it will be important to go to good uni if you are going to do anything in media though. The ex polys are still looked down on especialy media studies.

 

what are the good universities? I know the top ones, but not 'good'. My first two choices (the ones im mainly interested in) are wolverhampton, and southampton, in that order (wolverhampton seems to have a better course structure).

 

Not sure about Wolverhampton but I know Southampton has a good reputation. I will get you a link to the league tables.

 

This should give you a greater idea

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8405-814110,00.html

 

Basicaly I Wolverhampton is an ex poly. There is a huge difference between the two universities. Its always within reason best to go the best university you can because your degree be more respected.

 

Hi AT.

Im not sure that is the case anymore.

Its been my experience that employers are interested in the fact that I have a degree, but its just a 'tick box' for them, what they are really interested in is my employment history.

This might differ with a oxbridge degree (which I dont have) or with degrees where the degree is vocational - like the degree training of an architect for example.

I dont think the college of origin is important for degrees such as marketing, media, business studies and other study of non-vocational qualifications.

Chris

 

LOL I got my degree from Wolerhampton University!

It was a bit shit, but you just have to try harder to get the best out of it.

IMO you have to really go to a top univeristy (Leeds, Durham, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, M.I.T etc) and specialise in the Uni strong subjects (eg, M.I.T engring) for the 'uni name' to be of importance.

Mutant:
btw I cant comment on Wolves uni for media studies, as I did computer science, but I guess that Wolves wouldnt be a centre of excellence for something like media - HOWEVER, your not far from BBC studios in Birmingham (Have you considered Brum Uni???)