The number of media outlets in Ireland is expanding all the time, and all of these need staff and content. National press, radio and TV, local and regional papers and radio, freesheet newspapers, specialist magazines and websites all offer opportunities to people with journalistic ambitions and qualifications to get work published and earn a living.

So, how do you get involved? You could, of course, go through the whole third-level process all over again and study full-time in a journalism course. However this is not really a viable option for everyone, especially those already in full time employment. Evening, weekend, part-time and distance learning journalism courses offer a practical means of learning key skills and gaining the experience and qualifications to get you started in a journalism career.

Not everyone who enrols in a journalism class is looking to change career completely. Some people take a course to add another string to their particular bow (journalism courses also teach you not to use clichés). Writing skills are useful and valuable in many jobs, and many businesses and organisations now require media skills and presence. People working in (for example) public relations, marketing, publishing, web design and multimedia areas, or who write for company publicity material, newsletters or websites, can all benefit from a journalism course.

It is also very possible to use a journalism qualification to work on a part-time or freelance basis. People who are experts in their fields (whether it's marine biology, or hurling, or accountancy) can contribute to specialist publications to earn extra money and gain professional recognition and respect. A journalism nightcourse should give you the confidence and training to communicate your knowledge and experience with a wider audience.

Full time freelance journalism is also a popular career choice. For many people the idea of working to your own schedule, and writing knowledgeably about subjects you have a genuine interest in, is very attractive. However it can be difficult, especially at first, to make a living. A journalistic qualification should give you the practical skills, experience and all important contacts needed to help establish yourself in the business.

Journalism nightcourses give a good basic introduction to the trade, teaching practical journalistic skills such as news reporting, structuring an article, basic interview techniques, making contacts and writing feature articles. Depending on the course you might also learn about NUJ ethics, libel laws, sub-editing skills, picture handling and cropping, internet journalism and writing press releases. Learning how to market and sell your articles is an important part of a journalism course, especially for anyone planning to freelance. Courses are typically taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and group discussion. Some courses offer you the chance to get work published at the end of the programme, which can be very handy for the CV.

Journalism is not solely about the written word. Radio and TV journalism courses are also available, and offer different challenges and opportunities to those with an interest in the area. These offer subjects such as presentation for TV and radio, live broadcasting, scripting, camera and microphone technique, and recording and editing skills. Radio and TV studios are now very high tech, so gaining experience in the studio environment is very useful for anybody looking to break into the sector. By the completion of the course you should have produced a showreel to show to potential employers which proves you have the skills and personality they are looking for.

Journalism is particularly suited to distance learning, and there a number of courses available where you can study journalism from the comforts of your own home. These can be delivered online or through the post, and you will generally have a personal tutor who will set lessons and projects and then offer feedback and advice on your work.

Journalism is a trade like any other, and it takes plenty of hard work, dedication and even some natural writing flair to be successful. You probably won't go straight from a journalism nightcourse to reading the news at six o'clock on RTE, but a journalism course will give you a good grounding in the techniques and skills required to break into the media, as well as providing plenty of contacts and networking opportunities to help you get ahead