Thursday, 10 October 2013
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
So far at the Newsdesk!
So here I am! Pencil skirt, hair up, wearing stilettos and ready to roll! As well as trying to understand what the hell my news editor is going on about. Why do uploading articles have to be such a complex process? It's OK I'll get used to it eventually...
I'm sitting here facing a computer monitor among all other publishers/editors/assistants in the News desk section, feeling rather professional. I've already had tea made for me twice, so I quickly jumped in there to do a tea round myself!
First thing this morning I had to go to a court case. Exciting stuff! I had a walk and talk with the crime reporter as we headed our way towards Crown Court, and went to an intense court case where I sat among the victims and the defendant's Mother, who was shaking her head and muttering under her breath over the final verdict. I felt like I was sitting there and invading their personal space, but don't mind me, I'm just doing my job! I've never been to a court case before so it was a new experience for me, I've only even seen the funny white wigs, intimidating faces, and black capes on television!
I've managed to write a few 300 word articles to put in the paper; taking longer than usual because I felt the need to be a perfectionist on my first day. However, things have developed since then. This is my fourth week at the news desk and I've been given more and more tasks to do, as well as five articles to be written in one day. Luckily most of them were press releases, which to me acts like a template in order to complete and correctly structure the full story. A couple have already appeared in one of the newspapers and I was so excited to see my name and email directly underneath it!
One of my colleagues kindly gave me a Teeline shorthand booklet for me to take home and learn. This is a huge boost for me as I would have to undergo a shorthand exam during this intensive 25 week course I have to do, i.e writing 100 shorthand words per minute...
This pissed me off big time because I have gone and completed a 3 year University degree on Journalism and News media, and I still have to do an extra course? Luckily my editor said he would pay the tuition fee, (if he still likes me that is...) I can't believe no lecturer told me about this course! Why did I waste my time?
ADVICE TO NEW JOURNALISM STUDENTS! - Look up the intensive course in Harlow first! Or do a Journalism degree at Bournemouth University where the degree is NCTJ approved. I went to Roehampton so this wasn't the case for me. Gutted. At least I still have a degree in my hand, as I actually need it to get into the post graduate intensive course!
Luckily I don't feel too much of an amateur here, as there are a variety of ages from around 22-60. (22 being me of course). There are a few more beginners today which seem to be getting along nicely so I'd best keep up with the good impressions!
I have my own direct line, my own desk and computer, as well as my own company email address and personal desktop. This is awesome.
Telephone inquiries have been a bit nerve racking, but hey, this is what journalism is all about!
I love wearing my fashionable office wear that has been hanging in my wardrobe for over a year, waiting to be worn! Even since I graduated all I have been wearing is black trousers, black shirt, and a black apron- near enough all day, everyday at my waitress job.
This is a brand new start for me, and hopefully this will kick start my career in Journalism! Now I have to find out what I specialise in, as well as gaining 100% confidence in myself to tread carefully to become a top notch journalist! There are so many rules though! Wish me luck!
I'm sitting here facing a computer monitor among all other publishers/editors/assistants in the News desk section, feeling rather professional. I've already had tea made for me twice, so I quickly jumped in there to do a tea round myself!
First thing this morning I had to go to a court case. Exciting stuff! I had a walk and talk with the crime reporter as we headed our way towards Crown Court, and went to an intense court case where I sat among the victims and the defendant's Mother, who was shaking her head and muttering under her breath over the final verdict. I felt like I was sitting there and invading their personal space, but don't mind me, I'm just doing my job! I've never been to a court case before so it was a new experience for me, I've only even seen the funny white wigs, intimidating faces, and black capes on television!
I've managed to write a few 300 word articles to put in the paper; taking longer than usual because I felt the need to be a perfectionist on my first day. However, things have developed since then. This is my fourth week at the news desk and I've been given more and more tasks to do, as well as five articles to be written in one day. Luckily most of them were press releases, which to me acts like a template in order to complete and correctly structure the full story. A couple have already appeared in one of the newspapers and I was so excited to see my name and email directly underneath it!
One of my colleagues kindly gave me a Teeline shorthand booklet for me to take home and learn. This is a huge boost for me as I would have to undergo a shorthand exam during this intensive 25 week course I have to do, i.e writing 100 shorthand words per minute...
This pissed me off big time because I have gone and completed a 3 year University degree on Journalism and News media, and I still have to do an extra course? Luckily my editor said he would pay the tuition fee, (if he still likes me that is...) I can't believe no lecturer told me about this course! Why did I waste my time?
ADVICE TO NEW JOURNALISM STUDENTS! - Look up the intensive course in Harlow first! Or do a Journalism degree at Bournemouth University where the degree is NCTJ approved. I went to Roehampton so this wasn't the case for me. Gutted. At least I still have a degree in my hand, as I actually need it to get into the post graduate intensive course!
Luckily I don't feel too much of an amateur here, as there are a variety of ages from around 22-60. (22 being me of course). There are a few more beginners today which seem to be getting along nicely so I'd best keep up with the good impressions!
I have my own direct line, my own desk and computer, as well as my own company email address and personal desktop. This is awesome.
Telephone inquiries have been a bit nerve racking, but hey, this is what journalism is all about!
I love wearing my fashionable office wear that has been hanging in my wardrobe for over a year, waiting to be worn! Even since I graduated all I have been wearing is black trousers, black shirt, and a black apron- near enough all day, everyday at my waitress job.
This is a brand new start for me, and hopefully this will kick start my career in Journalism! Now I have to find out what I specialise in, as well as gaining 100% confidence in myself to tread carefully to become a top notch journalist! There are so many rules though! Wish me luck!
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