I spent most of this weekend in London, at UCL where I took part in a Young Journalist programme, organised by InvestIn.
Previously, I attended the Young Doctors programme (also by InvestIn), where I learned to suture a banana, and diagnose patients. But this was before I learned that I was in fact far more squeamish than I had anticipated! And so my plan to become a surgeon flew out the window, and then my focus turned to my passion of writing.
I love writing, and hope for a future related to this, but for so long I’ve had no inclination as to what area of the media industry I’d like to work in. So, I registered for this taster day, and I must say what a fantastic day it was.
I went to the university, with low expectations of the world of journalism, and came out with a completely different view that painted a smile on my face.
Throughout the day, I met loads of new people, including inspiring professionals such as Francesca Ebel and Minnie Stephenson, who have opened my eyes to journalism.
We participated in several interactive exercises as the day went on, including writing an article for a fictitious story, in a real life format (quite stressful I must say), and also having to do a broadcast of a similar story! My group, for the broadcast, decided to go and ask the public their views, which was stressful, very stressful, but actually rewarding once we’d done it!
Our story in which we needed to report, was about the political chaos in 2022! Boris Johnson was in fact a robot, and Nigel Firage stormed parliamentary buildings, causing upheaval about Brexit. It was an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable activity.
The information provided to us in all the different sessions (Print, Broadcast and Investigative) was very useful and helpful in that it has broadened my options for my future!
Each professional from the industry that I met, have all achieved so much and are great journalists in their fields. All my questions were answered, but now I have a harder decision to make!
I was skeptical at first as to whether I’d enjoy journalism as a career, and this taster day has given me a lot of insight into what it would actually be like – more so than Kara Danvers on Supergirl!
Journalism is a rewarding, yet challenging job and I must say I am considering this more so than before – despite the stress it brings.
Both the taster days I have been on run by InvestIn have been fascinating, informative and very useful!
I definitely recommend taking part on one of these days, if you have the opportunity!
Until next time…
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