Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme: Aidan Corbett’s Guide to a Successful Application.

Aidan Corbett, a successful candidate in the 2024 Journalism Graduate Programme and former WLR FM placement student, shares valuable tips and insights on crafting a standout application and making the most of the experience. 

The application process for applying for the Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme is a very simple process to follow in a step-by-step manner. The application window being open until the end of May provides ample time to get your application in the best possible shape. 

What I would suggest when applying on the website at https://www.learningwaves.ie/journalism-graduate-programme would be to have a word or notepad document where you take down each of the questions on the online form and carefully deliberate your responses to avoid any mistakes in your initial application. The application saves your information before you finally submit it, so take the adequate time needed to complete. Some extra information may come to your mind a day or two later, but if you have already submitted your application, you will not be able to remedy the form. Keep a document on your computer or phone and really think about each of the questions where you are asked to describe yourself, your interests, your goals, your aspirations, your background and if you know people already in the media industry. Also think of referees who can vouch that you would be a great fit for this programme. 

For the audio demo portion of the application, it is very similar advice as to the written portion of the application process. Put time, effort and real thought into your application. Take into account what is current in the news and sports world. Listen in to radio stations and see what is being discussed by presenters on midweek current affairs shows as well as shows which focus more on music and/or sport. Really give yourself time to understand the radio landscape and what it entails.  

For my audio demo, I made sure to showcase my qualities and interests. I made sure to include a sports bulletin that was relevant at the time of submission. I also included a news story which was current at the time. Finally, I included a small radio segment akin to what could be heard by a presenter on an afternoon music show that would allow listeners to interact with the station. I even gave this fictional radio station a made-up name! 

For this script, make sure you are familiar with it as any rough edits taken will be spotted by the examiners. You won’t be expected to be of on-air standard at the application stage. But if the potential is there to be heard, your application will be listened to. My advice would be to give yourself the grace of recording your demo as many times as you feel you need to so that you can showcase your best. To do this, the more familiar you are with your script, the more natural and assured you will sound. 

Following this, you are ready to go and submit your application and what will be, will be. If you advance to the next stage, the interview stage, feel confident about that as an achievement in itself. At this point, the interviewers are trying to get to know you and see whether you are a good fit for the programme. I would suggest you are up to speed on current affairs stories at this point and are aware of good practice as a journalist i.e. how to verify a source. 

If successful and you are granted a place on this year’s Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme, enjoy it! It is a remarkable programme where you will learn on the job and become a professional in an exciting, fulfilling industry, and an added bonus will be the friends you make along the way, both at work and on the programme. 

Aidan is now working as a Sports Broadcast Journalist with WLRFM after successful completion of the Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme.