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Wouldn’t dispute that at all Steve. I was merely speaking up because I didn’t think it was particularly fair that someone else was having a pop at a new member of this forum.
Quote: from davidjohnson on 1:47 pm on Oct. 11, 2006[br]Wouldn’t dispute that at all Steve. I was merely speaking up because I didn’t think it was particularly fair that someone else was having a pop at a new member of this forum.
Thanks mate…that’s really kind of you :biggrin: <br>
(Edited by lekha85 at 2:59 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)
There seems to be a lot of negative useless comments from certain members of this forum against Lekha and Meshaheer. I think that it would be better to offer positive helpful advice to them and try and encourage them where possible.<br>If I knew anything about journalism then I would do this but I don’t but let’s be more helpful and get away from the superiority attitude that some people have. ÂÂÂ
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If you think my comments are negative and useless I will just have to live with it.<br>My point is what makes you think that someone who lives eats and drinks the game is interested in the opinions of someone who has been on a bhb course which lasted how long ?.<br>Maybe you could be the next Pricewise when Tom Segal retires.<br>
(Edited by LUKE at 3:26 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)
Quote: from LUKE on 2:59 pm on Oct. 11, 2006[br]If you think my comments are negative and useless I will just have to live with it.<br>My point is what makes you think that someone who LIVES EARS and drinks the game is interested in the opinions of someone who has been on a bhb course which lasted how long ?<br>
Lives ears?
Seems a pretty useless comment to me :biggrin: ;)
(Edited by jackane24 at 3:06 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)
Quote: from LUKE on 2:59 pm on Oct. 11, 2006[br]My point is what makes you think that someone who lives ears and drinks the game is interested in the opinions of someone who has been on a bhb course which lasted how long ?.<br>
I’m not quite sure what the problem should be whether someone has been in the game 20 or 70 years? As long as a story has been thoroughly researched and all avenues considered and analysed then where is the issue? I too would take exception at a journalist providing ill-informed views but I’m not sure that this should necessarily stem from age or experience.
Also I would be careful at turning your nose up at the BHB course. A huge number of leading figures in racing went on the course and, granted, it may not be a complete replacement for years in the industry but you’ve got to be over a certain age to have had enough years to get that experience and the course is a damn good start.
There seems to be a lot of negative useless comments from certain members of this forum against Lekha and Meshaheer. I think that it would be better to offer positive helpful advice to them and try and encourage them where possible.
I guess this is aimed at me as much as anyone.
So ….
This "negative" part of this thread started with one of these 2 aspiring journos punting the notion that:
"the job market is looking even bleaker for the younger racing journalists!"
I responded to this by suggesting that there were, relatively speaking, more jobs for racing journos than normal.
I gave clear examples of where those jobs are.
Now, if you want to regard that comment as "negative" or "useless" or "discouraging", that’s your choice.
However, I don’t. I think pointing out the positive side of the situation should be encouraging.
Sadly, neither of the aspiring journos have even bothered to attempt to address the following:
"look at the big picture.
There’s more racing than ever. So, journos are required to cover that.
There are 2 dedicated racing channels in the UK.
And the expansion of internet use means any aspiring racing writer can set up a website and be posting articles online within an hour.
You’ve got forums like these that are read by (and contributed to) by people in the racing media. So, that’s another opportunity to get yourself noticed.
Historically, this is a really easy time to be an aspiring racing journo.
Compare it to 5 years ago, and you’ll see what I mean."
So, if you’re looking for "useless negative" comments on this thread, look for the people who, instead of seeing the opportunities that are available to them, are choosing to talk themselves out of those opportunities by telling themselves that "life is unfair".
Prufrock, who probably knows the job situation in racing journalism better than anyone on here has come out and said:
"I imagine any graduates ended their studies in June or early July. The only application  from a University leaver I received since then was from someone trying to break into sports journalism.
This is not intended to be personal, however, but merely an illustration that there were openings and a chronic shortage of talented young hopefuls willing to chance their arm to fill them."
That hardly paints a picture of overwhelming competition for one or two jobs, does it?
As I see it, the most helpful advice that Lekta (as Mesh seems to have switched her goals to politics these days) can get is to stop feeling sorry for herself, open her eyes and see how things really are.
Because it’s her attitude that’s her biggest obstacle right now.
Or course, I don’t actually expect her to take that advice on .. so maybe you’re right and it’s "useless".
Steve
PS It’s good to have young members of the forum and their opinions should get treated with the same respect as other members.
But, at the same time, when they’re coming on complaining, there’s no reason why they should get treated with kid gloves, just because they’re young.
(Edited by stevedvg at 3:29 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)<br>
(Edited by stevedvg at 3:30 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)
When I first picked up The Sportsman and saw that Helen Chamberlain had a weekly article I strongly suspected they would be in trouble.You can get away with parachuting in that sort of columnist in The Sun but punters don’t want to read articles by spoofers.<br>Fat Al might be on the verge of getting into the record books for cliche use and abuse but even he earned his spurs tipping up big price winners.<br>If you want some constructive advice why don’t you post a review of the day here as often as you can.
I would ask a young talented wannabe a couple of questions: what unique skills have you got? what sacrifices are you prepared to make to reach your goal?
On the former, there is no shortage of skilled news reporters in the market (certainly not now), but there is arguably a shortage of skilled news reporters who also understand form well, or who understand the ins and outs of racing politics and the bloodstock industry well. Seek to have more than one string to your bow.
On the latter, it may be necessary to take a lowly paid job in the racing or even betting industry for the time being, while continuing to remind more suitable potential employers of your existence. Provided you do not get stuck in a rut, this is likely to be viewed as evidence of your commitment. Very few people, however gifted they are, walk into a good job in racing journalism straight off.
Luke  —  I also love and enjoy horse racing and have done so for many years and make a profit from gambling on it and I AM interested in the views of someone who has been on a BHB course – why shouldn’t I be? I don’t feel superior to this person.
I am interested in the views of all people who follow the views of the sport that is my passion even if I don’t agree with them.
Quote: from Prufrock on 3:41 pm on Oct. 11, 2006[br]I would ask a young talented wannabe a couple of questions: what unique skills have you got? what sacrifices are you prepared to make to reach your goal?
On the former, there is no shortage of skilled news reporters in the market (certainly not now), but there is arguably a shortage of skilled news reporters who also understand form well, or who understand the ins and outs of racing politics and the bloodstock industry well. Seek to have more than one string to your bow.
On the latter, it may be necessary to take a lowly paid job in the racing or even betting industry for the time being, while continuing to remind more suitable potential employers of your existence. Provided you do not get stuck in a rut, this is likely to be viewed as evidence of your commitment. Very few people, however gifted they are, walk into a good job in racing journalism straight off.<br>
Thanks for the advice. Luckily what you have suggested is exactly what I am trying to do at the moment so it is good to hear that I am going about things in the right way from an industry professional.
And steve, there may be more jobs in racing than 5 or 10 years ago but there are also more people trying to get those jobs and therefore the competition is still as hot and as high.<br>The growth of the media industry in general has led to massive surge in the ‘fashionable’ media studies and related careers and racing media has grown right alongside it, as have the numbers of people trying to get in.
There’s more racing than ever. So, journos are required to cover that.
Very true, I agree entirely.
There are 2 dedicated racing channels in the UK.
And the expansion of internet use means any aspiring racing writer can set up a website and be posting articles online within an hour.
Useful idea which I do try to do on my Myspace page but haven’t managed to update it over the summer because I was busy working at the RP.
You’ve got forums like these that are read by (and contributed to) by people in the racing media. So, that’s another opportunity to get yourself noticed.
Yes, a nice idea and I would be willing to accept constructive criticism from anyone who would provide it on my articles but seeing the way the likes of Jackane has been treated I’m not sure it would achieve anything.
Historically, this is a really easy time to be an aspiring racing journo.
Compare it to 5 years ago, and you’ll see what I mean.
Maybe I’m not trying hard enough and maybe I’m not good enough, that could be the reason why I’m not finding it ‘really easy’, but I believe that my work with the RP over the summer proves I have the talent and the drive. I am the first BHB Grad ever (so I am told) to get a front page splash since the course began so I must have done something right. <br> <br>I wholly intend to keep working at making my way in and I hold a very fatalistic view on life. If something is meant to be then it will and hopefully my break will come in time.
(Edited by lekha85 at 4:05 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)<br>
(Edited by lekha85 at 4:17 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)
Quote: from SwallowCottage on 3:54 pm on Oct. 11, 2006[br]Luke  —  I also love and enjoy horse racing and have done so for many years and make a profit from gambling on it and I AM interested in the views of someone who has been on a BHB course – why shouldn’t I be? I don’t feel superior to this person.
I am interested in the views of all people who follow the views of the sport that is my passion even if I don’t agree with them.<br>
Fantastic – I will tell Rishi Persad he has a fan.
(Edited by LUKE at 4:12 pm on Oct. 11, 2006)
Stevedvg  —  Perhaps there are some positive comments in your messages but it is your tone and attitude which comes across as negative and useless – I don’t see it as the right attitude to try and help the relevant members of this forum.<br>This is only my opinion of course and no doubt you will consider me to be useless;) ÂÂÂ
If anyone doubts the value of the BHB graduate scheme in furthering your career, you should just look at what happens to us rejects. Sitting in our underpants all day, relying on handouts from mates..
I still have nightmares about that interview. The look of despair on the army general’s face as I entered the room. he obviously thought he’d filtered out all the council estate kids at the application stage. The head prefect Slimey Care (yes he) chairing proceedings and laughing in my face when I suggested that it was possible to win off bookies.
The emotional scars are still there…….
there may be more jobs in racing than 5 or 10 years ago but there are also more people trying to get those jobs and therefore the competition is still as hot and as high.
So, tell me this, why did none of these people ask Pru for a job?
What do they know about him we don’t?
I would be willing to accept constructive criticism from anyone who would provide it on my articles but seeing the way the likes of Jackane has been treated I’m not sure it would achieve anything.
What do you mean "the way Jackane has been treated"?
I seem to recall that, after he posted his last article, he got a lot of encouraging feedback.
Personally, I’m not sure that Jack has the potential to become a professional writer, but I respect the fact that he’s willing to put himself on the line and that his writing has improved over the months.
He’s still got a long way to go, but he’s at least got the balls to take a chance and face criticism.
If something is meant to be then it will
Hmmm …
That belief can give you the faith to keep trying despite all the rejections and disappointments ("it’s going to happen, I just have to keep at it") … or it can be something that justifies quitting if it doesn’t happen for you ("it just wasn’t meant to be").
I hope, for you, it’s the former.
Steve
The most important factor you need to be aware of when seeking a career in racing journalism and/or broadcasting is the huge advantage to be gained by having been a mamber of the 7% who have been privately educated.
This gives you a proportion of roughly 1:15, but I’d have thought that in racing it’s more like 1:1, if not worse.
That’s why people like Lysaght, Luck, Harvey and Persad get jobs, but A. N. Other doesn’t.
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