The MA Broadcast in journalism at Sheffield was the biggest turning point in my life so far

I currently work as an Output Producer for Sky News, having left the BBC just under a year ago. At the BBC I was an on-screen reporter and presenter for BBC Wales, but I decided to make the move to London to a Network newsroom where I now work on both Sky News’ Daily Output team and as the producer of ‘Beth Rigby Interviews…’. My day-to-day work in both roles are really exciting.  On the daytime team I produce VTs from correspondents in the field, and also produce live sequences on our rolling 24 hour news channel.  Most recently I have worked on the war in Ukraine but over the last year I have covered: the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, PMQs, COP 26, Sir David Amess, MP standards and the Tokyo Olympics.

 For Beth Rigby’s new show, which I have recently started, I work with Beth on preparing for the interviews, producing the interviews on location and editing the interviews as well as preparing the programme and helping to output in the gallery.  So far I have produced interviews with: the Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP, Gary Neville, Harriet Harman MP, former Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and former Iranian prisoner Anoosheh Ashoori who returned home with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in March.  I love how the role varies every day and it is amazing to be working alongside some of the best journalists in the field.

 The MA Broadcast in journalism at Sheffield was the biggest turning point in my life so far. Without it I  not have got my place on the BBC’s Journalism Trainee Scheme and would not be having the career I have now.  Prior to the course I was working in Five Guys so it really has changed my life.  I absolutely loved my time in Sheffield and still to this day miss being a student there.  Not only was the course fun, informative and a great leg-up into the industry – but I also loved the University itself. The atmosphere was great, the social life and being part of Forge Radio and the Sheffield Uni Swimming Club were a big highlight. I didn’t want it to end if I’m honest and I’m still in touch with so many people during my time there.

I love how the role varies every day and it is amazing to be working alongside some of the best journalists in the field.

Jared Lawthom

MA Journalism

 The main lectures with Lynn, Colin and Mark were invaluable.  The newsdays helped me understand how a newsroom works and I grew so much in confidence over the year as a result of the practical experience they gave me working as a journalist. I have to say one valuable piece of advice that was given to me was actually on the open day at the Department for Journalism back in 2017.  Colin Sykes said to a group of us something along the lines of ‘If you are someone who sits at a dinner table and is generally interested in getting to know the people sitting with you and getting to know their story, then journalism is probably for you.’ It resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since.  This job is not about you ‘the journalist’, it’s about the contributors and the stories they have to tell.  I will always make sure that is my motivation in everything I do. Telling people stories in such a way that it impacts a greater audience and challenges people’s perceptions of things.