By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Becoming a successful journalist is not an overnight achievement. It requires dedication, clarity of purpose, and a proactive approach, beginning right from the stage of career decision-making.
For prospective journalism or mass communication students, the journey to media excellence starts even before admission is secured.
Choose Journalism with Intention
The first step towards building a strong journalism career is to be intentional about your academic path. When filling out the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) form, students should select Journalism or Mass Communication as their first and second course choices, not as an afterthought. This affirms commitment to the profession from the outset.
Furthermore, students are encouraged to consider a strategic mix of institutions—one monotechnic (e.g., the Nigerian Institute of Journalism), one polytechnic, and one university—as their first, second, and third choices respectively. This widens the net of opportunities while maintaining focus on the chosen discipline.
Prioritise Academics—But Not Exclusively
Once admitted, students must understand that excellence in journalism goes beyond classroom grades. Academic performance remains critical, but journalism demands real-world awareness. As the saying goes, “a journalist must either know something about everything, or everything about something.”
Students should allocate about 80% of their time to academics and 20% to social or extracurricular activities, including campus media involvement.
Campus press clubs, radio stations, and media events help sharpen practical skills that formal lectures alone cannot teach.
The Role of SIWES and Industrial Training (IT)
A crucial part of the training process is the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), typically undertaken after the first year of study.
For those in monotechnic or polytechnics, this is followed by a one-year Industrial Training (IT) after completing the National Diploma.
The choice of media houses for SIWES and IT must be deliberate.
Whether it’s a reputable print outlet like The Nation, Daily Trust, or Nigerian Tribune, or online medium like PM News; or electronic stations like TVC, Channels Television, Raypower FM, or Arise News, students should seek institutions that expose them to the real dynamics of news reporting, editing, and broadcasting.
This practical exposure often determines future career relevance.
In Nigeria’s media industry, job opportunities often come through referrals. Media executives are more likely to recommend students who have proven their worth during an industrial attachment.
Experience from the Field: A Personal Story
As a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), I speak from experience. During my National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programs, I lived in Lekki Phase 2 but commuted daily to NIJ in Ogba, Lagos.
Despite the distance, I maintained consistency in attendance and commitment.
For my SIWES, I was placed at The Nation Newspaper in Matori, Mushin-Oshodi area, and I showed up daily for four months.
Afterwards, I underwent my one-year IT at Daily Trust on Acme Road, Ikeja, where I worked for a full year, also without missing days.
These engagements built my reporting skills, editorial confidence, and industry connections.
One incident during my HND program stood out. I was mistakenly barred from sitting for a particular exam due to an attendance error. However, my regularity and strong rapport with lecturers led to an internal review, and the mistake was corrected. Had I been a truant, no one would have intervened on my behalf.
Be Authentic and Committed
Some students take shortcuts, obtaining falsified SIWES or IT letters through backdoor connections with editors, just to fulfil school requirements. This practice may help them graduate, but it robs them of the foundational experiences necessary for a lasting media career.
True journalists are made in the field. SIWES and IT aren’t just requirements—they’re your first steps into the newsroom. If taken seriously, they could lead to early employment. Some student journalists begin earning from their IT placements, funding their HND or degree programs without needing additional financial help.
Final Words: Build Your Legacy Early
In conclusion, aspiring journalists must see their student years not as preparation, but as the beginning of their professional journey. Consistency, sincerity, field exposure, and mentorship are the cornerstones of success in the journalism world.
Nigeria’s media landscape is competitive. To thrive, one must start early, stay committed, and always seek to grow beyond the classroom.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
