EEP

Below confirm my Completed EEP (Employability, Enrichment, Pastoral) Certificates for this course, as well as extra EEP assingments from my course tutor.

Certificates

Below are screen grabs of the certificates I earned after completing the four EEP courses we were set. I also evaluated this process and detailed how these courses have positively benefited my learning and skills.

Sector-Specific Self Employment:

Student Study Skills (Level 3):

Student Digital Skills (Level 3):

Sustainability Education Programme:

⬆️ (This course did not provide a certificate so I have attached my passing grades)

Participating in these EEP courses has been beneficial for my personal and professional development, as well as equipping me with a range of new knowledge and skills. The courses I took—Sector-Specific Self-Employment, Student Study Skills, Student Digital Skills, and Sustainability Education—have equipped me with practical, digital, and ethical skills that enhance my employability and prepare me for the challenges of today’s fast-paced job market. These programmes have not only improved my technical abilities but also fostered critical thinking, time management, and adaptability, helping me thrive both academically and professionally, while also contributing to a more sustainable and responsible future.

Categories of Journalism

During my Tutorial with my class tutor, we discussed possible career and University choices that I am interested in. I mentioned that Journalism is an area that I want to pursue in the future, but I was unsure which specific area in Journalism I wanted to specialise in. This is when Greg suggested that a good EEP activity would be to research different categories within Journalism, in order to find out what I might be interested in pursuing in the future. This coverers the employability aspect of EEP, whilst also being an effective learning activity.

Reading through this website was something that I found immediately beneficial, as not only was each Journalism type presented clearly, but each category explained what each one was and gave statements from real-life Journalists in that career path about the benefits and skills of their specific area of work. Below I have included some examples of this:

➡️ (From https://www.nctj.com/life-as-a-journalist/types-of-journalism/)

I began with trying to familiarise myself with the main different types of journalism, and what they entail. Below I have made a list of categories of Journalism from the official NCTJ website:

Fashion Journalism
Sports Journalism
Podcasting
Radio Journalism
Data journalism
Investigative Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
Digital Journalism

After researching different types, I was curious as to why there was so many different kinds of Journalism and why it was important to find out what I might be most interested in for a future career. I used the website (uk.indeed.com) in order to conduct some additional research.

Why is understanding different types of Journalism Important?

Journalists are media professionals who collect information and report on important events or distribute feature stories and commentary. Understanding some types of journalism has many benefits, including:

Helps you plan your career

Understanding what career options you have while pursuing a degree in journalism can help you prepare a better career plan. For example, if your dream is to become a broadcast journalist, you might consider improving different skills than someone who's interested in working in print. Choosing your desired specialisation as early as possible, for instance, in the first year of your undergraduate programme, gives you more time to develop a skill set that employers may find impressive when you graduate.

Makes Job Search Easier

When you decide to pursue a particular specialisation as a journalist, you may look for job offers that best match your specific requirements. For example, if you're pursuing a career as a broadcast journalist, your primary focus can be on television channels and radio stations. You'd also know to avoid remote job opportunities, which are best suited for columnists or digital journalists.

Allows you to impress an employer

Employers value ambitious and self-aware candidates who have a clear vision of their future. This is because this allows employers to understand if the candidates' career plans align with the company's growth plans. Understanding different types of specialisations in journalism gives you a better idea of which skills your potential employer might be looking for in an ideal candidate. To position yourself as the most qualified applicant, consider highlighting those skills in your application and discussing them with a hiring manager in your job interview.

After I had begun to understand the importance of knowing the area of Journalism you want to specialise in, I started to think about what would interest me most as a future Journalist. I did this by taking a quiz (From https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/quiz-what-kind-of-journalist-would-you-be/) that asked a range of personality-based questions that helped determine which area of Journalism would be best suited for you. I also took another Journalist quiz (From https://www.interhacktives.com/2019/03/13/journalist-quiz/), as I wanted to get multiple perspectives from different sources. I have attached both quiz results below. ⬇️

The results from each quiz are quite different, as a social media journalist primarily reports on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, focusing on real-time, visually engaging content with a more informal, interactive style. In contrast, a traditional news journalist works for established media outlets, producing in-depth, formal, and objective reports that prioritize accuracy and thoroughness, often with a slower turnaround. Social media journalists tend to engage directly with audiences and use metrics like likes and shares, while news journalists are more focused on institutional credibility and fact-checked reporting.

Despite these differences, both social media journalists and traditional news journalists share the core goal of informing the public through reporting on news and events. They both follow Journalistic ethics and aim to provide reliable information. Additionally, both may cover similar topics from politics to culture, and contribute to public information, even if it is through different formats.

These are all areas that I am interested in, so overall I would say the the quiz is accurate and helped me gain a greater insight into what area of Journalism may suit me best based on my skills and personality as a whole.

After completing these quizzes, I found that I was most intruiged by the area of news Journalism, as it is something we have explored in class and I found it very interesting and enjoyable to write. To find out more I decided to focus my research on News Journalism.

What is a News Journalist?

(From https://learn.org/articles/What_is_a_News_Journalist.html)

Famous News Journalists

(From https://www.onthisday.com/people/journalists)

Researching famous journalists is important because it helps you understand journalistic standards, learn from their successes and failures, and gain inspiration for your own career. Their work often shapes history and culture, providing insight into how journalism interacts with social and political events. Studying renowned journalists also hones critical thinking by analyzing their reporting techniques and ethical decisions, helping to navigate the complexities of the profession more effectively.

Findings and Conclusion

Findings from Research on Journalism Specializations and Career Paths:

Through my research, I have gained a deeper understanding of the different categories within journalism and the importance of choosing a specialization that aligns with both personal interests and career goals. Based on information from various sources, including the NCT website and additional research from uk.indeed.com, the key findings are as follows:

1. Categories of Journalism:

Journalism is a broad field with various specializations, each offering unique opportunities and skills. The major types of journalism include:

Fashion Journalism: Focuses on the fashion industry, trends, and events.
Sports Journalism: Covers sporting events, athletes, and related news.
Podcasting: Involves creating and distributing audio content.
Radio Journalism: Focuses on news and stories delivered via radio.
Data Journalism: Involves analyzing and reporting on data to uncover trends and insights.
Investigative Journalism: Digs deep into stories to expose hidden truths or injustices.
Broadcast Journalism: Covers news for television and radio.
Digital Journalism: Focuses on online reporting, including blogs, video content, and social media.

Each type of journalism requires distinct skills, and it is important to understand what appeals to you to tailor your studies and career path.

2. The Importance of Understanding Specializations:

Career Planning: Knowing the different types of journalism helps you tailor your education and develop relevant skills for your desired field. For example, a broadcast journalist may focus on improving video and presentation skills, while a data journalist would hone analytical abilities.
Easier Job Search: Once you decide on a specialization, finding jobs becomes more straightforward. You’ll know which industries or media outlets to target, whether they are newspapers, online platforms, or television channels.
Impressing Employers: Employers value candidates who are clear about their career goals. By understanding different specializations, you can align your skills with what employers are looking for and present yourself as a more qualified candidate.

3. Quizzes and Personal Insights:

After taking two different journalist quizzes (from PBS and Interhacktives), I discovered that my personality aligns with both social media and news journalism. However, while social media journalism emphasizes real-time reporting and audience interaction, news journalism is more structured, focusing on thorough research, accuracy, and storytelling. The quizzes helped me gain insight into my strengths and preferences, but ultimately, I found news journalism to be the most appealing based on my interests and enjoyment in class discussions and writing exercises.

4. Focus on News Journalism:

News journalism, which involves reporting on local, national, and international events, is an area that particularly interests me. This field requires strong communication skills, research abilities, and a solid understanding of current affairs. News journalists can work for newspapers, online platforms, or broadcast outlets, and may work on a freelance basis or as part of a larger media institution.

Key Skills for News Journalists: Effective written and verbal communication, research skills, the ability to conduct interviews, and proficiency in multimedia tools like photography and video production are essential for success in news journalism.

Famous News Journalists: Notable figures in news journalism, such as investigative journalists or anchors, demonstrate how influential this field can be in shaping public opinion and influencing societal change.

In conclusion, my research has shown me the wide range of options within journalism and the importance of selecting a specialization that aligns with my interests and skills. Based on my findings, I am particularly interested in pursuing a career in news journalism, as it offers opportunities for in-depth reporting and impactful storytelling.

Curtis Brown Creative Blog

As a part of our classes' EEP hours, our course tutor Greg recommended that we read through a blog from the 'Curtis Brown Creative' website, that revolved around interviewing Claire Kohda and her writing process, reading recommendations, and what she’ll be looking for as a judge for Discoveries 2025. Below I have included some notes that I gathered whilst reading this article:

This interview with Claire Kohda offers a range of rich insights into her creative process and her unique approach to storytelling. I was particularly struck by her perspective on blending the supernatural with everyday life, drawing from her literary heritage to explore themes of identity, food, and otherness through the character of Lydia.
Her advice to writers about trusting their characters and the natural flow of the narrative is refreshing—it's a reminder that sometimes the best stories unfold when we let our characters lead. I also appreciated her recommendations, especially how she highlights books that use fantastical elements to address profound truths about human experiences.
As a judge for Discoveries 2025, her encouragement for writers to overcome self-doubt and focus on the potential rewards of submission is inspiring. It sets a hopeful tone for anyone preparing their work for the prize. Kohda’s emphasis on authenticity in storytelling will undoubtedly resonate with many writers looking to make their mark.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse