Journalism, Media & Radio

People working in this sector research, write, edit, film, photograph, and broadcast the news and stories we read, watch, and listen to — from national newspapers and radio stations to local community radio, podcasts, and online media. It’s a fast-changing sector — podcasting and YouTube especially have opened up new, low-cost ways to get started — but the core skills (curiosity, clear communication, and accuracy) stay the same.

Examples of jobs in this sector

Journalist/Reporter

Researches, writes, records and edits news stories for print, broadcast, or online media.
Possible Pathway Higher Education or a strong portfolio built through Transferable Skills like a school newspaper or blog.

Broadcaster

Presents live or recorded radio and television programmes and increasingly podcasts too.
Possible Pathway Further Education (a radio production or performance course), often building experience on local or community radio first. Practical experience in debating, performing on stage, or comedy, is also really helpful.

Sound/Broadcast Engineer

Operates recording and broadcast equipment.
Possible Pathway Further Education (radio/sound production), often starting hands-on at a local station.

Digital Content/Social Media Editor

Creates and manages content across a media outlet’s digital platforms, including podcast production and promotion.
Possible Pathway Higher/Further Education in media, or Transferable Skills — running social media for a school, club, or small business.

Sub-Editor

Checks, edits, and prepares copy for publication.
Possible Pathway Higher Education in journalism or English, usually after some reporting experience first.

Producer (Radio/TV/Podcast)

Oversees the making of a programme from planning to broadcast.
Possible Pathway A longer route, usually built up through years of experience in reporting, research, or broadcast assistant roles first.

Advertising Sales Executive

Sells advertising space or airtime to businesses on behalf of a media outlet.
Possible Pathway Strong communication skills matter more here than a specific media qualification.

Possible Pathways into this sector

Look at Higher Education options
Think about a course related to one of these areas. Many universities offer course in the humanities (arts) or journalism, for eg: BA in Journalism at University of Galway.
Look at Further Education options
Many FE colleges offer courses in subjects like media and journalism, or courses that are more specific – for eg. Cork College of FET offers a Level 5 Radio & Podcasting course.
Think about work experience
Learning Waves runs a TY Media Week each year, placing Transition Year students directly in a local radio station for a week. Learning Waves also runs a Journalism Graduate Programme, placing 10 graduates in independent radio stations nationwide for five months. Local and community radio stations across the country also regularly take on volunteers directly. TG4 run many different training schemes and opportunities for work experience for anyone with fluent Irish.
Transferable Skills / Local Experience
Writing for a school newspaper or blog, gaining experience with a local community radio station, or starting your own podcast. Creating a website or curate a social media account on a subject you feel strongly about. Writing letters to the letters page in the local or national newspaper. Joining a local debating club.

Free Online Tools to Practise With

Audacity free audio editing and podcasting
Canva
Spotify for Podcasters

A Note on Coimisiún na Meán

You’ll see this name often in Irish media. Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s media regulator — it makes sure TV, radio, and online platforms follow fair rules, licenses radio and TV stations, and handles complaints from the public. It also funds a lot of the training and content schemes mentioned on this page (its Sound and Vision Fund helps pay for things like Learning Waves’ TY Media Week), so it’s worth knowing.

You can learn more about media literacy on Media Literacy Ireland.