Catch 22 secures employment for hungry undiscovered talent

Catch 22’s innovative approach to journalism training is built on unearthing new talent from unlikely backgrounds, a service New Media Age has just benefited from.

Catch 22 alumni Sebastian Joseph’s recent appointment as Editorial Assistant at New Media Age is further proof that this alternative model is a realistic solution to the lack of diversity in 21st century newsrooms.

A year after graduating from Queen Mary University with a degree in ICT in the Business Environment, Joseph was disillusioned with his chosen profession. Knowing that he wanted to get into journalism, Joseph soon recognised that passion and the skills developed on his degree were not enough to secure a job or work experience. Financial restrictions meant that building on his transferrable skills through a traditional journalism training course was unobtainable. Joseph found himself in a vicious cycle – a Catch 22 situation.

In July 2009, Joseph’s thirst for knowledge led him to the Catch 22 Academy, a media-invested social-enterprise for those aspiring journalists who lack the funds or support to enter the profession through conventional routes. The nurturing and supportive environment of the University of the Arts accredited programme allowed 23-year-old Joseph to build on his previous academic experience and natural flair for writing.

The free academy offers a 12-month engagement programme, the first step of which is three months of intense practical training in news and features writing overseen by two seasoned journalists. “The academy is a virtual gym that continuously preps and strengthens you for the industry whilst your there. This is reflected in every session when you’re learning about a different facet of journalism. Whether its court reporting or participating in a news meeting, every component is designed to emulate the professional environment,” said Joseph.

Despite the pressure of juggling two jobs alongside the academy programme, Joseph showed remarkable promise and returned the second highest grades of the year. At the end of the initial training period, Joseph had built up enough confidence and skill to secure a work placement at New Media Age with the assistance of Catch 22.

Joseph’s journalistic talent coupled with his IT background allowed him to hit the ground running as an intern, and he was soon securing regular by-lines in the publication. He accredits this to the Catch 22 experience, saying “being trained by journalists who are working in today’s industry is invaluable. Their personal experiences give you an insight into journalism, so that when the time comes for you to work on a publication, be it online or print, you’re more than ready.”

Justin Pearse, Editor of New Media Age, has been thrilled with what a partnership with Catch 22 has brought to his publication. “Sebastian came to us via Catch 22 to do work experience but he showed such promise and fitted in so well we offered him a full time job, at which he is excelling. We get huge numbers of work experience people so it’s a credit to Catch 22 that Sebastian was so immediately employable.”