Barrister vs Solicitor

I'm currently completing the second year of a journalism degree at the Uni of Sheffield, but I am strongly considering converting to law. I like journalism, it's fun and plays to my strengths, but I don't think I'm passionate about it to override the fact I'll likely be on dirt wages for most of my life. Law interests me just as much and I think I have the talents for it, as well as more motivation in the form of better money at the end of the tunnel. I've experienced and learnt a lot about it through my court reporting and media law modules, and a week of work experience at a good barrister chambers on Fleet Street when I was 17, which is already a solid start on my Law CV. I plan to convert either through a GDL (graduate diploma in law), a one year course which puts you on roughly the same ground as a law undergraduate, or through a traditional Masters from a university which I'll have to pay off by working a job too, haven't decided yet, though am definitely leaning towards a GDL as it's much cheaper.

Any BBS lawyers or other law professionals, or even just people generally knowledgeable about the law industry, what are your thoughts on the prospects of becoming a barrister vs a solicitor? I know the basics in terms of solicitors being more secure vs barristers earning huge amounts through one case etc, rather what is the state of the industries at the moment? Should either of them be avoided? Thanks.