And so my journey begins...

So I can finally put this blog to good use! (It's only been a YEAR since I graduated?!)

Last week I finally got myself a little job at a newspaper company in Suffolk. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say where it is yet as I don't want to lose my job the minute I've just started!

The editor fetched me from reception and took me into his little private office; I was expecting to be in there for 10 seconds.
I started worrying when the first thing he said was 'talk to me about your degree,' and 'what did you learn?'
I felt this was quite intimidating as he's probably one of many who feel that going to university is a waste of time. After I winged it without hesitation, he bluntly said 'this is how it is...' So I thought, well I'd best get my bags together and prepare to leave; but hang on, I soon realised that we were getting somewhere when he started talking about a 25 week intensive course in Harlow...

NCTJ Level 3 Fast Track Diploma in News JournalismHarlow College

He spoke about a few courses that I've never even heard of, such a the NCTJ (National council for the Training of Journalists) preliminary exams. He explained that fellow editors will look at this and will know that the candidate is more than capable of having anything thrown at them. I thanked him for being so honest, but I also explained that i was quite annoyed, because none of my lecturers told me about this intensive course, so I felt a bit disheartened with the thought that my degree was a waste of time. On second thoughts, my degree did give me a bit of a boost, otherwise I don't think he would have even given me this opportunity if I just walked in without a degree. So I suppose I can thank my degree to some extent.

I guess you do need some pretty good experience when it comes to trying to get a job in journalism. This is so the editors can see what you're capable of, instead of just being good at academic assignments without going out there and working under the pressure of real life journalism. You wouldn't get anywhere in this industry if you were a quiet mouse with high class grades. Charisma is an important part of it.

I've had to take this year to settle into my new house with the sister and become a full time member of staff in a 4* hotel/restaurant. This has allowed me to afford the rent, throw money into my savings, and say yes to anything leisurable and sociable. So all of this I can tick on the stability list; now it's time for the nitty gritty - concentrating on my future career.

Then I thought to myself, 'wow I actually need to go out and buy flattering office wear! (Oh what a shame that I need a new wardrobe!) As well as finding myself some stilettos that I can actually walk in, not just the ones I own for strictly clubbing use! I've been so used to only wearing black in my current job, so it's time to spritz things up a bit!

So now I'm going to be working 6 days a week. Luckily I am full of energy! I get bored easily if I have too many days off with nothing planned.

This job may be something small, but at least I'm getting somewhere! As well as finally receiving a job with some form of relevance to my degree!

I start on Wednesday. Wish me luck!