My experience on the MA Journalism course helped me prepare for working in a real newsroom

 

After graduation, I joined Newsquest as an AI-assisted reporter for Cheshire and Merseyside titles, based in Warrington. I then took on the role as Community Content Editor for those sites. I cover seven titles and focus on high-quality local news and driving engagement on our social platforms.

I was a recipient of the Journalism Diversity Fund from the NCTJ, which meant that I could afford to study. Without this, I do not think I would have been able to complete my Master's degree. I also completed work placements at PA, SWNS, The Independent, and National World, which gave me valuable work experience that I have been able to take forward into my career.

Sheffield is a great city to study in, and the tutors on my course were incredibly helpful. Because they have real experience in the journalism industry, they are able to provide valuable insight into life after graduation, and how to break into the industry. I found the course content intense but interesting, and I learnt a variety of journalism skills that I use in my current role.

Get as much work experience as possible, and keep writing in your free time - there are a lot of people who want to be journalists, so you need to prove that you are capable of doing the job and have a real passion for it, as it is not for everyone. Don't disregard local news and think you have to aim for a national newsroom straight away - local news provides invaluable experiences and is often a fantastic way to network and build relationships in the industry that will last a lifetime. It isn't just what you know when it comes down to it, it is who you know, so make sure you build a strong presence online and connect with as many people as possible.