look harder! I've been in a similar situation, but believe it or not, there are lots of opportunities out there: that is if you're willing to work hard for very little pay. start off by identifying your specific interest (magazines, radio, online...) then start with the larger media houses (Media24, Johnnic...) and work your way through the smaller ones! Be persistent.
Dont give up.
I'm sticking to my dream career no matter how tough it might seem now.
Good luck

I am a also a media graduate and to top it of i have an Honours Degree in Media thinking that my chances will be better with an honours but i have to lower my degree whenever iam applying cause i am either over qualified or something. currently im in a secretarial position and hating it, it probably will be better if it was at a media agency but i am gaining frustration in this position and slowly my passion for media may burn out and that scares me.

we all started somewhere and weren't given internships when i started. we had to make it on our own from ground up - making coffee etc. the graduates that phone me irritate me cos they think they deserve a place. Believe me, there are lots of people qualified to do the job looking for work so you have to start at the bottom - don't expect everything on a plate.

IT SEEMS THE GUYS THAT HAVE MADE IT HAVE LITTLE SYMPATHY,ONE WOULD THINK THIS INDUSTRY PRIDES ITSELF ON NURTURING YOUNG TALENT...BUT THEN AGAIN EVERYONE IS HECTIC. BEST OF LUCK ON ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS...MAYBE ONE DAY YOU'LL BE THE ONE TO MAKE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES A REALITY FOR OTHER GRADUATES

I am also sharing the same frustration of not being hired by media companies. I graduated with the MA degree in Communication, Media, and Culture (2004) from the University of Western Sydney, Australia. However, I have been working in South Korea for four years before and after my graduate studies. I came back to South Africa in December 2006 and am still unemployed. I thought one day was my lucky day simply because for a certain black "CEO" from the production company wanted to see me. To my surprise it was the most embarassing meeting I have ever had. I initially asked his company to take me under its wings by offering me a graduate programme or internship, as it were. However, when I got in his office was treated like nobody. Probably he wanted to impress his white colleagues that he's the main man. All in all, we are struggling as graduates. Our parents have spent lots of money educating us but at the end we don't enter the very same industries we dreamed of while at varsity. I would suggest that media graduates should come together and sort of come up with a strategy that will show these media companies as to how serious we are about wanting to work for them. I don't even think of getting involved in crime because am much better than that. But at the same time it is frustrating to roam the streets everyday looking for a job. I have been in Gauteng for 6 months now but am still struggling. Comrades, there is only one way or solution to this problem. Let us come together and make our voices heard.

because a) you think you deserve it just because you studied it. c'mon there's more to finding work than thinking life owes it to you and b) because you can't spell. Doesn't say much for your expensive education does it Zola?

I don't see anything wrong with the oke's spelling.

commenting on: THAT'S WHY YOU'LL NEVER GET A JOB: Dear...I dont think you are entitled to make such comments. You dont even know this person well enough make an assumption that she just wants to be in the media because, she studied media. Its people that think like you that prevents this coutry from moving forward interms of education. Lets not discourage our academics. If you feel that one does not need a qualification in order to have a carreer in the media industry speak for yourself. I respect your opinion of assuming that a qualification is not important for one to get a job but please, Speak for yourself!!! You do not have a right to predict the poor child's future that she will not get a job simply because, she has a qualification. What ever position you have in media, nometer how high it is, it does mean you GOD!Only God knows what he has in store for us.

Log on to www.marketingweb.co.za for a link re: SETA and graduates. Hope it works for, and if it does you gotta be willing to work your ass off coz this is an industry where you'll always have to prove youself even when you have 15+ years in the game.

and if this doesn't work call agency and ask for an intern, tell them you are willing to it for free (forget about the degree's you have from overseas varsity, they ain't gonna do you justice, only scare potential employer off) for experience, they'll see the potential and the tyger in you. This is how i got in.

If this doesn't work, call Rev Jesse Jackson!! on 1-900 rev-scandal.

I'm one of the lucky few who graduated and obtained a job in the field I studied for. Bin a journo 4 abt 6years (three spent in community news) and the rest spent doing internships just so I can get into mainstream media. Its bin a difficult journey but I'm glad I reaping the rewards of my patience. Journos, dont give up. Fact is, you'll have 2 go thru being exploited by the industry, being underpaid and being told you're done a favour. In the end, if you're really serious abt making your qualification wrk for you, you'll realise that u dnt have to stick 2 just 1 aspect of media. Fly. I did & I've never been happier.

L

My dear, life is really not fair especially when you are just starting out. I know the feeling of wanting to give up especially when you have kinda created this perfect world for you for when you are done with studies.Keep knocking but in the mean time be willing to start with what you never went to school for because you still need to pay some bills.

I started out on a pathetic salary 10 years ago and waitressed at night to pay my way. I now work for a mag - we welcome interns, but unfortunately cannot pay them. Those that have real talent always go on to get jobs with the experience they get from us under their belt. My advice? Approach media companies and offer to work for free - it'll get your foot in the door.