Author: Melanie Rose Heavisides

Emma is a free lance broadcast journalist currently working as an assistant news editor for ITN. She graduated in 2012 and went on to do her masters degree down in London on broadcast journalism. She has worked in both national and regional newsrooms across broadcast print and online; Emma also specialises in home and foreign newsgathering.

She stresses how work experience got her where she needed to be. She started in her first year by volunteering at Siren FM and later on in her student years became the deputy editor or the “Linc” as well as taking part in the BBC Lincolnshire intern scheme. “All student journalists should get involved with student media from the start.”

Her most recent work experience was for channel 5 with “Aljazeera”. Emma was a news program assistant, he got paid and it gave her a much stronger understanding of foreign news.

One of the biggest stories Emma has covered in her career so far was being outside the hospital at the birth of Prince George. “It was literally a scrum”, even though Emma confesses it was a manic day, it was a great opportunity. It got her name out there and got her some great contacts for a free lancer!

The advice Emma gives is to get yourself out there. Get your own story pitched and get as much experience as you can. During interviews make sure you know the interviewee so you come across as professional and you know what you are talking about. “If you want the job you’ll make sacrifices.”

 

Lucy is currently a content producer at Food Network and Travel Channel International, working for the digital channel. During her internship Lucy was put in charge of the social media for the network. Within the company content is added, as well as articles and blogs online. Part of her role is to interview and edit TV clips but admits that every day is different!

Sam Pidoux confesses this is almost her “dream job!”

Lucy was on the standard Journalism BA honours degree and specialized in radio and print in her second year. She loved every minute of Lincoln- “Best years of your life”.

Before she landed the job, Lucy confessed she didn’t know what to do; she went on placements at BBC Lincolnshire, wrote for fashion websites and even travelled to London to get experience with the press.

She got a position at a lifestyle magazine but the day before she was due to start received an email saying the position was no longer available. “Set back helps you and motivates you more to get what you want.”

The next stage for Lucy was to ring every newspaper and magazine she could think of! She was offered an Internship for five months at a fashion magazine, got paid £5 a day and was based down in London. After the five months she knew she didn’t want to stay in fashion.

Funnily enough after having a conversation with her future boss on a train (unknown at the time) she landed a job at Food Network UK as a digital intern. Last week Lucy was promoted to contact producer.

Moral of the story- “Talk to strangers, don’t listen to what your mum and dad say!”

 

Luke Todd- Graduated with first class honour. Editor at Fashion Beans; their website has 1.5 million visitors a month which is more than GQ

Lucy Vince- Content producer at Food Network and Travel Channel International. Manages social media, covering articles including recipes, trends and destination hot spots.

Jess Jones- Multiple accounts at RPB agency, diverse clientele including Harley Davidson Accounts

Hannah Gilby- Business reporter for Lincolnshire Echo, started from work experience and didn’t let her go!

Emma Greatorex- After her masters has become a free lancer for channel 5 who deals with their reporting, video planning and was even outside the hospital when Princess Kate came out of hospital with baby George!

Leigh was a student at the university, but originally admits to be a “Yorkshire Lass”. She studied journalism and specialised in television and radio. Whilst at the university she volunteered at the community radio station Siren FM and BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

Her roles have varied through the years and she recently has been promoted from a news room reporter to a full time breakfast show broadcaster. Currently, she is trialling her own show which airs on the 18th of April which is an amazing achievement.

From starting out by making cups of tea and writing scripts she has worked for many different stations around the country but is proud to be back in Lincolnshire and doing so well.

Leigh goes on to tell us that its not just the degree that is important. Its the people you meet and the information you know that will get you where you want to be.

 

Rhodri always knew he wanted to work in the sport industry, as soon as he graduated he sent out his CV’s and went to various PR and journalism interviews- Some successful, some not!

He starts by pointing out some tips for us:

Advice: “Find out what the dress code is!”

Advice: “Whilst on work experience, always offer to make cups of tea- Everybody loves tea!”

He landed the job at Sky Sports by emailing the executive. “Always send out emails, everybody has connections and they will get back to you”. A few weeks down the line he was asked to go down to the offices for an interview. Within his two days on work placement, he felt eager, mucked in,  and got involved!

“Opportunities will arise”

Rhodri got the job as “runner” for rugby at Sky Sports. He has now worked there for six years and has recently been to Australia working as a Senior Graphics Director. He admits it is a great job and feels like a “hobby”.

A day in the live of Rhodri involves four people in a truck covering live broadcasts of the matches. He sits with the loggers, and producers deciding what camera’s to stick with to filter the live footage and highlights for the commentators and the audience.

He then goes on to give more advice for the students; “Do everything!”

By getting involved we build up our personal portfolio to show employers what we can offer to them. “Get inspired” he did, and its got him the dream job he always wanted.

 

Beth Dyson- Proactive International PR Account Executive and Digital Content Marketing Consultant.

Rhodri Jeremiah- Worked for Sky sports for seven years; now is a senior graphics Director in the Rugby Union Department.

Carli Ann Smith- Graduated from Lincoln University in 2010; motorcycle journalist at Mortons Media.

Daniel Ionescu- Founder of The Lincolnite; four years on it is a sustainable digital native business as one of the most popular news websites in the region.

Leigh Milner- Full time breakfast reporter after being a volunteer at the University’s station Siren FM and BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

 

Starting off with appreciation to Sam Pidoux for putting together this conference at the University, we hear from Deborah Wilson introducing the event and urging the alumni to stay in touch for a catch up and cake in the break!

Deputy Vice Chancellor Scott Davidson; “The School  of journalism has been awarded the NCTJ 2013 recognition in its outstanding training”. With this amazing award the school of journalism has been recognised for excellence with the European journalism training association also! “What a great set of achievements, and an excellent spring board to the student’s futures.”

With recent graduates going onto work for the BBC, Davidson goes on to acknowledge the great connections we have due to Siren FM at the university. This provides incredible insights for us and shows how the school of journalism here at Lincoln couldn’t offer any more to their students!