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.

One year today, I was a pharmacist out of work. Today, where am I?

Reflection is a key part of anyone's life. I've done lots of it.

Today is the 1st anniversary since my appearance on the STV News at Six where Political Correspondent, Claire Stewart, interviewed me about my desperate situation in being unable to find work at this time last year. After registering as a pharmacist in late 2012, I found myself unable to find the first step on the employment ladder and my case was featured in illustrating how I, and many other graduates across this country, have been affected by the damaged job prospects.

It's hard to believe that it's already been one year since I surprised many people (from what I anecdotally heard anyway!) by appearing on their television sets. But this week has been quite a surreal experience for me personally. It was only yesterday that I found myself in the public gallery at the Scottish Parliament, watching a debate taking place on the Scottish economy.

There was one dramatic moment during the proceedings which, for me personally, was of major significance. Angela Constance MSP, the current Scottish Government Minister for Youth Unemployment and Jenny Marra MSP, Scottish Labour's Shadow Minister for Youth Unemployment, were involved in heated exchanges over the current youth unemployment situation. It was at that moment that the jigsaw pieces fell together. A co-incidence in timing, probably, but I sensed some sort of a link between yesterday and my appearance on the television news at this time last year.

I'm incredibly glad I was invited by Claire to put my own personal story on the public record (and cannot thank her enough once again), because I want people to appreciate that, no matter what someone is trained to do or what talent someone may have, there will be times when life can get difficult and where help is necessary. Some may wonder what on earth a pharmacist was doing on the news last year, in the context of the tough jobs market, because many people think pharmacy is one of those professions where work is guaranteed after registering as a pharmacist.

It amazes me, with complete and utter disbelief, how many people think that pharmacists can still walk easily into a job without any form of disruption or difficulty. Within the last two or three years, pharmacy has been caught up in a volatile and damaging storm where more and more graduates are beginning to find that the supply of pharmacists is now exceeding demand for them. The Centre for Workforce Intelligence predicts that unless major action is taken then there could be an oversupply of as many as nearly 20,000 pharmacists in England by 2040.

If there is any lesson to be learned from what has happened in our economy over the last few years, it's that nobody is safe, nothing is guaranteed and no profession is immune to market forces in the economy. I may market myself well online and elsewhere, but I'm only human. I can't walk through this world on my own and, frankly, nobody else in this world can.

You may be wondering now as to what I'm actually doing a year on since my appearance on television. It's nearly been one year since I became self-employed. It's a new phase in my life and it's one that I've generally enjoyed. Because there are so few permanent jobs now for pharmacists (not just in Scotland, but across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and many other countries), many newly qualified pharmacists go down the locuming route.

You work in all sorts of places, you meet different kinds of people and you see different ways of how things are done. I've been incredibly fortunate to work all over Scotland and really enjoy the constant change that being a locum brings. The work situation started off slowly when I became self-employed, but I got more and more busy as 2013 progressed. Now though, it's a little quieter now as many of the employers tend to hold on to their permanent staff at this early stage of the year before the year picks up momentum. On another note, Claire said something very powerful at the end of her report a year today: "...but he knows his future may not now lie in the career he's trained for."

If you know me well enough then you will no doubt know that I have my finger on the pulse when it comes to communication and the media. Whether it was my work placements at STV News and Kingdom FM, achieving my Competent Communicator award (public speaking) with Toastmasters International or presenting my weekly radio show on Victoria Radio Network in Kirkcaldy, I've got a desire to do well in the Scottish media. I cannot deny that, because if I did then I would be denying myself. You can never say never in life and it's important to engage with your own passions. I would say with confidence that I have a natural flair as a communicator and it's something I want to continue to grow and be continuously successful with.

And finally, if there is anything that I have learned in this last twelve months, it is the fact that no matter what people think of you, say about you or what opinion they hold of you, the only person who can make things work is you. Self-belief, self-confidence and self-determination go very far.

They aren't cringeworthy attributes to hold. Without them, there is no hope. These attributes are essential ingredients in creating a recipe for success.

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.

The MMR vaccine and the measles crisis in Wales

listen to ‘MMR vaccine and measles outbreak in Wales’ on Audioboo

Image courtesy of Keerati / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It's the vaccine that has time and time again found itself in the centre of controversy. Ever since Andrew Wakefield led a study which linked autism to the MMR vaccine, parents have agonised over whether to permit children to have it. But despite many years of anxiety, uptake of the vaccine used to fight measles, mumps and rubella have recovered to an extent.

But what exactly is the MMR vaccine? The vaccine is composed of live measles, mumps and rubella viruses, but they aren't as potent as normal versions. When injected, it will provoke the body's immune system to produce antibodies. Their purpose is to fight infection by making bacteria and viruses much less harmful by recognising a special part of the bacterial or viral target called an antigen. Both the antigen and the antibody bind together which stops the bacteria or virus from causing harm.

The overall purpose of the vaccine is to ensure that any human being who is vaccinated, who happens to catch either one of the three types of virus then their immune system, will combat the viral infection.

Although many studies have dismissed any link between autism and the MMR vaccine, side effects can still occur and can include mild forms of measles. Signs of this include a rash, appetite loss and fever. This can last between 48 and 72 hours and can normally take place between 7 and 11 days after the injection, according to NHS Choices.

But the risks of those side effects are outweighed by the benefits of being vaccinated as being infected by either of the three viruses without the vaccination can be more severe. Measles can be fatal. According to the World Health Organisation, 158,000 died worldwide as a result of measles in 2011.

So why has a major crisis unfolded in Swansea and it's surrounding areas this weekend? So far, according to BBC News, just under 600 people so far have been affected by measles in many parts of Wales which has provoked a dramatic increase in the demand for the uptake of the MMR vaccine. And so far, 1,700 people have been vaccinated during emergency clinics held across hospitals in the south of Wales today. There is still a potential possibility that those figures could escalate even further in the coming days.

And could similar events break out north of the border? STV News reported on a measles outbreak that happened in Lanarkshire last November where nine cases of measles were confirmed, despite a very high uptake of the MMR vaccine.

Currently, there is no imminent threat of any form of an outbreak in Scotland. But there is certainly no room for complacency and events in Wales will, without a doubt, continue to be monitored very closely across these islands.