All around me at university my friends are frantically sending CVs off to various companies — some doing pretty well out of it too.
I won’t be able to start full time work, realistically, until September 2008. Perhaps earlier depending on when I return from NZ, and when I’ve located myself in London.
The question is: Should I be applying for work now? Or is it too early?
I don’t want to get job offers for jobs I can’t get to in time, but nor do I want to miss the boat completely by not getting my CV out there quick enough. Advice appreciated: I’d quite like to be a happy journalist, not an angry one 
Edit: Had no idea Wordpress made smileys into pictures. Sweet.
I think this blog, Press Gazette blogging, mentions in the Guardian, work experience with your local paper, Available for Panto, pieces printed by the Guardian, work experience at Sky, may just stand you in good stead. Do you think a CV is needed at this stage? What about the Telegraph’s graduate scheme, is the timing right for that?
I’ll be discussing your recent foray into YouTube with delegates at a UN youth conference on Saturday – er, I think that’s plenty to be going on with don’t you? Just don’t show them an unsubbed version of The Linc!
Seriously, carry on doing what you are doing, don’t apply for jobs for the sake of it. You have the experience and contacts to make a good go of freelancing if you want straight after uni if you want.
Good luck.
I’m a second year journalism student and I think I shouldn’t send my CV anywhere now. I feel like I still don’t have much to offer so I rather wait a little bit more.
It’s been great to be able to study and not having to work yet, unlike my friends I have more time to read, to know places, people and make researches about what I’m seeing on Univiersity.
I think you’re doing a great thing by keeping this blog!
From Brazil, Paula
I must admit that the best part of the degree I’m studying at University is the fact that I’ll be able to graduate and (hopefully) go straight into a job, the course itself is a shambles.
I’m a second year journalism student as well, and I’ve been toying with the idea of working fulltime over the Summer to get a bit of experience in the field. The only thing is, as a student it’s difficult to get your foot in the door until you graduate.
You’re onto a winner here though, and with what you’ve been doing I’m sure you’ll be a few steps ahead when you graduate. That was my plan when I started up the website I now operate (www.themusicmagazine for shameless promotion) – to get as much experience as possible for graduation.
You’re active, which, coupled with a degree, must surely be a winning combination. I’m slightly envious of the portfolio!
Dave I feel the same way, I honestly don’t know whether I should be applying now or what.
I guess a good time to apply would be around May time when dissertations and exams are out of the way, but on the other hand, many graduate schemes close their application deadlines really early.
Came across this blog through The Linc, I’m not a student journalist, I don’t even do journalism, but I do take an active interest in media so I’ve added your blog to my RSS reader. Keep up the good work.