Work experience at Sky News
We at Sky News and Reach for the Sky know how hard it is to get into broadcast journalism. But the difficulties should not frighten aspiring journalists: after all you’ll need courage and confidence if you’re going to be reporting our future news.
You've got to want it
Firstly, be committed. You will immediately get a step up the ladder if you can show you are determined to have a career within this field and, even better, if you can show which area of journalism you specifically want to be in.
Secondly, don’t be deterred. This is a competitive field and you will get rejection letters; however, if you persist, opportunities will arise.
Thirdly, when opportunities arise, exploit them. If you do get work experience then make the most of it: be keen, learn and develop your talents as much as you can.
One of these opportunities for you to exploit is at Sky News. Here we offer a limited number of placements for talented students aged 18 or over, on active courses, aspiring to become the next generation of broadcast journalists.
The placements are generally based within our News Centre at Osterley in West London, though there are some possibilities within our regional bureaux.
Show us you're keen
The scheme is very popular and many applicants are disappointed. We give priority to applicants who can show us how committed they are to journalism. Placements could be available in the following areas:
• Sky News Active and Online
• Sky News programmes, including weekend work on Sunday Live with Adam Boulton
• Specialist areas such as Sky News Business and Sky News Sport
• Sky News Radio
• Five News
We sometimes also have placements in other areas of Sky News, such as home affairs, world news, the environment or health or medicine. Candidates for Sky News Online and Active should be able to show a flair and commitment to online journalism and digital production techniques. Placements are possible in each area, and candidates should say which they prefer.
Candidates for Sky News Radio should ideally have some radio experience already, and provide an example of their voice.
Placements normally last three weeks and are unpaid. Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
If you want to apply, you should write to skynewswork@bskyb.com (opens in new window), with a full CV and a 500-word thesis on ’Why should Sky News offer me a placement?’ Additionally, you should say which part of Sky News you’d prefer, explain why, and when you’d like the placement.