On Friday, I went to Manchester to represent my college at the recent Student Council for the NCTJ. Despite having to get up at 4am to catch the train, and not getting home until gone 11pm, I had a great day and met loads of cool people.
After an introduction from Joanne Butcher, the chief executive for the NCTJ we had a wee chat from Peter Allen who presents BBC Radio 5 live. It was great to hear his stories about being in the business and getting some good advice. The one that sticks out the most is "Have fun, and if you're not get out!"
Next was the Q & A session with the NCTJ. This gave us the opportunity to ask questions about our courses and the exams. We were split into groups and discussed the pro and cons of the NCTJ courses and what could be improved. One girl I was chatting to, Sarah, finished the course in 18 weeks!! the girl deserves a medal!
After lunch, we got to 'meet the editors'. The panel was chaired by Guardian readers' editor Chris Elliot and the rest of the panel was made up of Lynn Ashwell, deputy editor at Bolton News, managing editor at MEN Media Eamonn O'Neal and finally Michelle Mayman TV Editor at BBC North West Tonight.
Getting advice from them was the best part of the day. Having an insight from those already doing what you want to do, I think is invaluable. Even just small things like keeping a blog and interview and CV tips were really helpful. My favourite piece of advice of the day was from Chris Elliot when asked about interview tips: "Be yourself - but not too much!"
Talking to the other students there was good to know about the exams and how the different courses are run to the one that I am doing. Everyone was lovely and so friendly and gave me loads of advice as well as sharing my near-mental breakdown moments!
Monday, 13 February 2012
Thursday, 9 February 2012
KEN LIVINGSTONE: "THE TORY PARTY IS 'RIDDLED' WITH HOMOSEXUALS"
Ken Livingstone is under attack for saying that the tory party is completely 'riddled' with homosexual politicians. Okay... why does this matter? It doesn't stop them for doing their jobs at running the country or anything. So why is it still as big deal?
In an article published by the Guardian, Ken Livinsgtone is quoted as saying: "As soon as Blair got in, if you came out as lesbian or gay you immediately got a job. It was wonderful … you just knew the Tory party was riddled with it, like everywhere else is."
It still seems as though Mr Livingstone is living in the dark ages. being gay is now more acceptable, just as it should be. And whether you are a politician or not your sexual orientation should not matter.
Tory MPs from London have witten to the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, urging him to make sure that Livingstone's remarks were retracted. Angie Bray, one of these MPs has said: "These are the sort of offensive remarks we hear all too often from Labour's candidate for mayor."
But what do you think? Should Ken Livingstone take back his comments? Is he homophobic? take part in the poll and tell me what you think. Ta.
In an article published by the Guardian, Ken Livinsgtone is quoted as saying: "As soon as Blair got in, if you came out as lesbian or gay you immediately got a job. It was wonderful … you just knew the Tory party was riddled with it, like everywhere else is."
It still seems as though Mr Livingstone is living in the dark ages. being gay is now more acceptable, just as it should be. And whether you are a politician or not your sexual orientation should not matter.
Tory MPs from London have witten to the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, urging him to make sure that Livingstone's remarks were retracted. Angie Bray, one of these MPs has said: "These are the sort of offensive remarks we hear all too often from Labour's candidate for mayor."
But what do you think? Should Ken Livingstone take back his comments? Is he homophobic? take part in the poll and tell me what you think. Ta.
EXCUSES, EXCUSES OH, AND MY WORK PLACEMENT
I know I've been really quiet on the whole blog front but I have been busy. Well that's my excuse anyway! I'll start posting on here more regularly about college, posting new articles that I've written and just general chit chat, I promise!!
In other news, last week I did a week's work placement at Radio Tay and I must admit it was a lot of fun. As well as just general news writing and editing interviews, I actually went out and did some proper interviews. I interviewed Gordon Wilson, the former chairman of the SNP on the recent transport issues affecting the trains from the Aberdeen, Dundee area to Edinburgh and managed to slip in some cheeky questions about the referendum and Scottish independence.
I also covered the story of the dome being placed on the Hamilton Grand in St Andrews. It's such a beautiful building and will look amazing when it is complete and the scaffolding comes down. I also got a free lunch in the posh Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and even though it was lovely, I've never felt so out of place!
Remember doing Scottish country dancing when you were at primary school? Well, its quite big in Dundee with over 400 primary pupils taking part in the Annual Scottish Country Dance Festival. When I was their age, I didn't remember it being that much fun, but when I was there watching it, I did have an urge to start joining in. It looked so much fun!
I have to admit though that the highlight of my week was getting to see a tiny meerkat at St Andrews Aquarium. The poor wee critter had been abandoned by his mum so the staff at the aquarium were having to hand feed it and take turns staying there at night to keep an eye on him. He looks like a little fighter though and I'm sure he'll pull through.
I learnt so much being at the station. I did a course called Media Production a year or two ago and part of that was a module in radio but it didn't really go too much into the journalistic side of it. It did help me with the basics like using the studio equipment, the editing software and stuff. It also helped to give me some experience in all the different platforms of journalism as at college we look at print, broadcast and online journalism but not radio.
I have another work placement coming up at a music magazine so that will hopefully give me even more experience. It's all go for me :)
In other news, last week I did a week's work placement at Radio Tay and I must admit it was a lot of fun. As well as just general news writing and editing interviews, I actually went out and did some proper interviews. I interviewed Gordon Wilson, the former chairman of the SNP on the recent transport issues affecting the trains from the Aberdeen, Dundee area to Edinburgh and managed to slip in some cheeky questions about the referendum and Scottish independence.
I also covered the story of the dome being placed on the Hamilton Grand in St Andrews. It's such a beautiful building and will look amazing when it is complete and the scaffolding comes down. I also got a free lunch in the posh Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and even though it was lovely, I've never felt so out of place!
Remember doing Scottish country dancing when you were at primary school? Well, its quite big in Dundee with over 400 primary pupils taking part in the Annual Scottish Country Dance Festival. When I was their age, I didn't remember it being that much fun, but when I was there watching it, I did have an urge to start joining in. It looked so much fun!
I have to admit though that the highlight of my week was getting to see a tiny meerkat at St Andrews Aquarium. The poor wee critter had been abandoned by his mum so the staff at the aquarium were having to hand feed it and take turns staying there at night to keep an eye on him. He looks like a little fighter though and I'm sure he'll pull through.
I learnt so much being at the station. I did a course called Media Production a year or two ago and part of that was a module in radio but it didn't really go too much into the journalistic side of it. It did help me with the basics like using the studio equipment, the editing software and stuff. It also helped to give me some experience in all the different platforms of journalism as at college we look at print, broadcast and online journalism but not radio.
I have another work placement coming up at a music magazine so that will hopefully give me even more experience. It's all go for me :)
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