Multimedia Journalism MA
It was great to have access to such state-of-the-art facilities - better than a lot of newsrooms I’ve been in!
In a word, intense. Not that this is a bad thing – it was exactly what I was looking for out of the course. Over the year I learned the fundamental practical skills it takes to be a journalist - such as how to write news stories, essential media law, shorthand, etc. - while given time to explore and discuss the broader issues surrounding the trade. I was lucky enough to be placed with a lovely group of people who came to study in Kent from across the world. We really clicked as a group and spent a lot of time together socially, as well as for study. While Medway lacks the nightlife of the big cities, there were plenty of places for us to have a drink and talk about things aside from our course! Overall, a tough year - but hugely enjoyable and, in my case, the key to getting my foot in the door in journalism.
The fact you can study for an MA and an NCTJ diploma at the same time. The MA was great for widening my knowledge about broader issues in the media, journalism law, ethics, etc. - but the NCTJ gave me the core skills necessary to report news properly. Every morning we had a news conference led by one of the lecturers, where we discussed that morning’s stories and discussed how they were covered in the press, and how we would cover them as real-life journalists. It was great to have access to such state-of-the-art facilities too - better than a lot of newsrooms I’ve been in!
Yes. An intense year of complete immersion in the world of journalist which put me in a position to apply for journalism jobs before I’d even graduated.
After a year’s work as a reporter for the Gravesend and Dartford Messenger, I’m now a video journalist for KMTV - the online video department of the Kent Messenger in partnership with the University of Kent.
There isn’t one! I’m usually chasing the biggest stories in Kent providing video to go along with the online story on KentOnline. This could be anything to a major incident involving emergency services, to meeting the world’s smallest sheep (which lives in Dartford!). Most days I’m out of the office driving across the county to capture stories on film, presenting the stories to camera as well as shooting them myself and editing them. Every evening we have a daily bulletin, for which I’m usually either the presenter or director. It’s great because I’m given the chance to do a lot of things you just couldn’t do at bigger broadcasters without years of experience. It’s great fun.
Firstly by showing me the basics in how to write and find stories, and giving the advice and resources necessary to pass the NCTJ Diploma - a must for anyone wanting to get their first job in journalism. But also by providing work experience opportunities. Towards the end of my course the whole year was given a placement at the Kent Messenger - which I think was influential in me getting my first job at the Gravesend office. All the lecturers were always available for advice about careers and work experience, which I found infinitely helpful.
I’m hoping the experience I’m gaining at KMTV will eventually enable me to become an on-screen journalist for a major broadcaster.
