Motivating Students in the Face of the Media Maelstrom

A case study commissioned by the HEA Subject Centre for Art Design and Media.

The sudden decline in employment opportunities for new graduates - particularly those who have chosen the media industries as their sector of choice for a career has been extensively publicised. Inevitably this has created anxiety self-doubt and loss of motivation in students. But what are the roles and responsibilities of their tutors in this time of upheaval and poor employment prospects?

Through a series of in-depth interviews graduates from the BA Journalism course at Harlow College are given a voice in how we should respond. Work experience was clearly identified by graduates as the route towards employment in their chosen career.