Trust your hunch and don't be afraid to ask questions!

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I really enjoyed the practical elements of the course - from being called a "Court Junkie" by lecturer Jonathan Foster due to my eagerness to do court reporting, to being given a patch of Sheffield to gather stories from!

Did you complete any work experience whilst at University? If so, tell us more about it - where it was and what you learnt. 

I completed a two-week placement at ITV Calendar in Leeds between my second and third years. This placement was valuable in giving me an insight into the pressures of the newsroom, both editorially and externally.

Did you face any challenges during your time at University, or early within your career? If so, tell us a bit about them and how you overcame them, or any advice you would offer to students in a similar position. 

In my first year I was absent for five weeks due to illness and this put me behind in my shorthand classes. I was able to pass my 80 words per minute exam at the end of my second year so I would advise students to be resilient and continue with your studies no matter what the obstacle.

What was the most important lesson or skill you took away from your time spent as a Sheffield Journalism student?

Trust your hunch and don't be afraid to ask questions!

Can you summarise how your time at the University of Sheffield impacted your future career?

The news gathering techniques and ability to write concise copy assists me in my current role of keeping parents/carers updated on school activities by producing e-newsletters and updating websites and on social media platforms.