Do you need a journalism qualification to make it in the media?

In the hot seat at STV News in Aberdeen last year

It's one of my worst kept secrets that I have an ambition to make it in the media north of the border. People look at me baffled when I tell them that my university degree was a science one and ask me why I didn't complete a degree in journalism or the media. But there is something beautiful about the world of journalism that appeals to me particularly.

It is the fact that, unlike in other professions or other fields of work, there is no official prerequisite for a journalist or broadcaster to have an educational qualification in that field. That said of course many go on to gain a qualification and build their careers in the aftermath of graduation. For many years, I was playing around with the idea of completing an MA in Broadcast Journalism (there are many successful journalists who have gained this qualification, or a similar one, and utilised it to beneficial effect in their careers).

But I'm more open minded now, for two reasons. Firstly, I am now aware of journalists who have never completed a qualification in that field and have managed to get into the media with the existing qualification that they have gained. For example, I know of journalists who have completed a degree in the law and yet they decided to become broadcast journalists instead, going on to fulfilling successful careers to date.

And secondly, the questionable cost effectiveness of going back to university to gain a second qualification. I've heard of many stories of people gaining their second qualification and heading to little or no success. Approximately £10,000 (tuition fees, living costs and other costs) is not pocket money to many and parting with that cash might not be the best idea in the context of things.

That said, there are many other options someone can pursue in order to gain some sort of a respect qualification in the field of journalism. Yesterday, I was discussing this issue with a friend of mine at the hospital radio station I currently present at. I came to the conclusion that my skills, experience and confidence was what mattered the most. The fact that I have now completed two successful work placements with STV and Kingdom FM is a major boost in my favour and something that I deeply value. I think I managed this because of my deep interest in journalism and my enthusiasm for what I do. It's vital that I keep this up.

I'm very engaged with what is happening in Scotland right now - not just in terms of current affairs, but culture, sport and many more issues. To me, what matters is that I keep my finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest developments across the country.

I reckon that I may be one of those journalists who did go to university, but not to do journalism instead becoming a graduate with a pharmacy degree. But that's no waste of time or money, because I had to do a lot of writing assignments during my studies anyway - whether it was writing my thesis, reflective commentaries or laboratory reports. And you couldn't just write an informal few lines and leave it there - you had to put an appropriate style and be concise in your writing.

I shall carry on gaining experience and building my growing skill set. I've learned so much over the last while and, in reality, know my self-worth (also knowing that it must increase at the same time). The only thing I need now is for someone out there to be won over and turn my life long passion into a fulfilling career.

This is the news with Anas!

A new portfolio showcasing the broadcast journalist skills of Anas Hassan has been launched.

The demo, which is now available to view above, shows Anas demonstrating his abilities on screen and on radio. Earlier this year, Anas successfully completed two work placements with STV News and Kingdom FM where his broadcasting horizons dramatically expanded and new learning experiences were gained. 

Speaking about the new demo, which has been online since last night, Anas said: "I am absolutely ecstatic about finally making my new demo available for everyone to view. Many people I hope will appreciate how much time and effort has been invested into producing it and it's certainly easier said than done when it comes to fully producing a portfolio, despite it only being just over five minutes long."

Despite being many months on since his time at STV and Kingdom FM, Anas still values both of his experiences at both the television and radio stations: "I had a fantastic time both at STV and Kingdom FM. I loved every second of both work placements. It made me a better broadcaster and has really helped me improve the quality of my programming at Victoria Radio Network, where I still present regularly."

Anas welcomes any constructive comments on his new demo. For more information about Anas Hassan, please see his biography by clicking on the relevant link above on the menu bar. The demo is also available to view through the "Showreel" link.

A week in the STV newsroom

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Sitting in the STV News studio in Aberdeen.

Last week, I was absolutely privileged to make full use of the opportunity I was given to sample life in the newsrooms of STV in the north of Scotland. Normally, placements are allocated to journalism undergraduates or postgraduates and to other students who study a media based course. But my case was an unusual one. Already qualified as a pharmacist, why would I even bother taking a week of my time to sample life in a completely different working environment?

It is no secret to anyone that media has played a major part of my life since I was young. I have much experience of it, particularly in radio but also with experience on camera and in print. But until last week, I didn't experience the reality of working in a dynamic newsroom. It is a place bursting with energy, most of the time. And naturally, I fell in love with it.

My week saw me spend time in the Dundee and Aberdeen newsrooms. STV is now Scotland's main national commercial broadcaster, serving most of Scotland. It is split into two different regional stations - STV Central and STV North (formerly known as Scottish and Grampian Television, respectively). My week saw me spend time working within the broadcaster in the latter of the two regions.

In the early part of my week, I mainly learned about the planning and production of a typical news package - consisting of activities such as writing a suitable script for a news report, capturing appropriate footage, the art of interviewing and most important of all, telling the story as it is and enlightening the viewer.

Standing outside the STV News studio in Dundee.

In Dundee, I mainly shadowed Alan Jenkins who is one of STV's newest talents. On Monday, we spent time in Perth covering a story about a historic log boat being moved to a museum in Glasgow. But the following day, the news day went much slower than normal but I still spent some time in Arbroath covering the story about a missing Royal Marine.

From Wednesday onwards to the end of the week, I spent my time in Aberdeen's newsroom. This was the moment for me to consolidate all the knowledge I had gained about production and news reporting at STV and use that in combination with my existing media skills in order to establish my credentials.

Thursday saw Aberdeen FC's manager, Craig Brown, announce his retirement from football manager. The story broke at approximately 10am on Thursday and I seized the initiative.

I studied the official press release from the club released that morning and researched about the outgoing manager and his history in football, before going on to write up a script for a news package I was going to go on to produce. Jumping into the reporter's van with well known STV Sports Editor, Tyrone Smith, we headed to a scheduled press conference at Pittodrie and there I was finding myself taking my own notes, without being prompted, whilst Brown spoke to us all in the media. One can ask what on earth was I doing for all those years studying for a science degree?

Then I took my opportunity to do a piece to camera for my news package. I was very lucky to have Tyrone providing me excellent advice and a taste of the experience he has picked up over the years reporting on breaking sports stories in the north of Scotland. Fellow journalists, Steven McMenemy and Steven Brown, also played a major role in supporting me with regards to editing By the end of the week, I completed my first ever news package in just under a minute and twenty seconds.

Pitchside at Pittodrie, reporting on Craig Brown's retirement.

And finally, the other major highlight of the week took place on the Thursday of the week when I became an STV newsreader. It wasn't the first time I got to take part in a scenario where I had to read the autocue and look straight into the camera and radiate my charisma across the studio. You may already have noticed on my YouTube channel a video of me reading Sky Sports News at the O2 in London.

But this was different. In London, I was in a mobile studio in North Greenwich. This time, in Aberdeen, I was in a real studio. I was wired up, microphone attached and enlightened by the script I had to study before entering the newsroom. I was the equivalent of an airline pilot. Or so it felt that way anyway. And I was looked after and guided brilliantly by the gallery and by one of STV News' most well known broadcasters, Andrea Brymer. I also met Norman MacLeod who was also equally as generous with his advice and support.

I've heard much talk over the years from journalists about how difficult it can be having to keep yourself together whilst receiving instructions and trying to concentrate on reading the bulletin at the same time but I have to be honest and say that I didn't experience as much difficulty. Although concentration must be kept at maximum levels so that you don't go off tangent and keep yourself composed, especially if anything may go wrong.

I dreamt of this moment since I was a young boy.

I absolutely loved the experience of reading the news in the studio. It was a thrilling experience and the adrenaline rush you get from it is very enjoyable. And it is even more enjoyable when things go right and you passionately feel you have enlightened your viewers. Although my bulletin did not go out live on air, it was recorded and I will provide you with some footage in the very near future.

I think frankly a week was nowhere near enough time for to experience life at STV. It went too quickly. I simply had such a brilliant time and I pay tribute to every single member of the team at STV North for their kindness, support and for making me feel part of the team - including all of the broadcast journalists I met in Dundee and Aberdeen, the whole camera crew across Dundee and Aberdeen's newsrooms (particularly Bob, Jenny and Al) and all of the technical team at the gallery in Aberdeen who guided me through whilst I was in the studio (particularly Ruaridh (hope I've spelt your name right!) when I was presenting) and who collated my performances (a special mention to Ian, Ian and Donny for this in particular and also to Hazel for enlightening me about the gallery). Whether I've mentioned you or not, you all know who you are and are equally as worthy of a sincere thank you!

And I pay particular tribute to Donald John MacDonald and David McKeith for their confidence in my ability to prove myself at STV.

And I don't blame the many people there who asked me what on earth I was up to spending my time at a television station, despite the fact I'm qualified as a pharmacist. In fact, I'm an unusual case. The first pharmacist in Scottish broadcasting history to make the jump to broadcast journalism? Why not?

For now though, I'm not keeping all my eggs in one basket.