End of year round-up: Inside journalism careers with JUK

As we welcome the winter in here at Journalism UK, we want to look back at a year's worth of resources and recommendations and sift through it all to help point you in the right direction. To wrap up 2025, here are some of the most practical lessons and resources we’ve shared to help you thrive, stay safe, and keep moving forward:

The indie journalism reality check:
Thinking about going solo? YouTuber Johnny Harris' gave a top talk at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia this year on the realities of being a journalist-content creator. He's built a 7m following and shared what it really takes to build an audience and a business – warts, wins, and all.
Staying safe in a digital world:
Doxxing isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real threat. Jon Laurence – soon to be working on Johnny Harris' team – provided an anti-doxxing guide at the Mediastrong conference this year. He broke down practical steps to protect your identity and your sources, both online and off. If you haven’t reviewed your safety measures lately, now’s the time.
Networking (even if you hate it):
Clearly, events are where it's at right now. Great for making contacts and staying on top of media innovation. But not everyone loves a crowded room, the small talk or the finger food. But we did love Phil Clark's networing guide for introverts, packed with tips for making meaningful connections in these sometimes-awkward settings.
Showcasing your work:
If you're making new contacts, you'll want to make a strong first impression. You can connect on your squeaky-clean LinkedIn profile courtesy of Damian Radcliffe's 15-step tidy-up guide, or maybe you want to direct people to your website – there's plenty to pick from in our round-up of portfolio and publishing platforms depending on your style or budget.

This week in training

If you’ve seen our recent coverage of Tickaroo's report on emerging journalists, you’ll know which skill today's new cohort feel least confident in: artificial intelligence. Even amongst an increasingly tech-savvy new generation more at home with content creation and social media than ever, AI skills are desperately needed.

What do emerging journalists (really) think of the news industry?

Student and early-career journalists feel confident in traditional skills like media law and interviewing, but they’re not so confident in evolving skills like digital tools and AI

Journalism UKJacob Granger

That’s exactly why we’ve launched our Foundational AI for Journalists: A Practical Bootcamp. It’s a hands-on, no-nonsense course designed to demystify AI, show you what’s possible, and give you practical tools you can use in your reporting right now.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to future-proof your skills, this bootcamp is your shortcut to understanding—and actually using—AI in the newsroom. You’ll learn how to spot opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and build confidence in a skill that’s only going to get more important.

Explore AI bootcamp

👩‍💻 Latest job openings

Featured:
Special projects writer at Travel Weekly
Travel Weekly are looking for a Special Projects Writer to create sponsored content and contribute to editorial features across print, digital and social channels.

Trainee reporter at The Bournemouth Echo
The Bournemouth Echo is seeking an ambitious trainee reporter to join their team.

AI assisted reporter at Colchester Gazette and Southend Echo
Newsquest are seeking an AI-assisted reporter to join their busy newsroom covering a portfolio of local newspaper titles in north, mid and south Essex including the Colchester Gazette and Southend Echo.

Other listings:
Trainee reporter at Basildon and Southend Echo
Business journalist at Key Media
Freelance sub-editor at Reputation Risk Reports

💡 Tip of the week

Stuck self-editing? We recommend reading your work aloud - it'll help you slow down, focus on your writing, and spot any errors that might've slipped by.

Even a small typo can turn readers away. More serious errors might erode trust in your coverage and spark public criticism