Tag Archives: work experience

New year, new resolutions

05 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Reflections

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So around this time last year I made some New Year’s resolutions. Before I commit to making more, let’s see how I got on in 2013…

1) Complete my NCTJ 

I did indeed complete my journalism diploma, with flying colours in fact as I achieved the Gold Standard (all A-C grades) – I was even one of the few to manage to get a B on the ridiculously difficult reporting exam. Boom.

2) Get a job!

I have a job! Doing well so far…So yes last October I got a call from Hogarth Worldwide saying I had a job as a proofreader. It’s been great fun. I’ve met lots of interesting people, had a few too many glasses of vino at the Christmas party and I’ve even been able to do a bit of copywriting on the side. I’m actually about to take on a 3 month copywriting project for one of their clients!

Hogarth Christmas Party

Hogarth Christmas Party

3) Go running every week

Urm, so about that. I think I could probably count on one hand the amount of times I went running last year. BUT after starting my job I now go spinning most weeks with my work mates (and spinning is way hard core). AND I found my perfect yoga class in Brighton at Revitalise so I go there most weeks…and I’m even looking into finding a yoga class in London for my lunch breaks. I ❤ YOGA.

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4) Train for the 5k Swimathon 

I did train for the 5k Swimathon – so well in fact that I had to overtake everyone in my lane several times. I managed to swim the 200 lengths in about 2 hours. Not bad if I do say so myself.

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5) Cut down on the French Fancies and McCoys

Okay, so I can’t resist the odd French Fancy here and there, but on the plus side I haven’t had a packet of McCoys in ages.

6) SAVE MONEY – unless I complete (2)

Hmm. So I may have a job now, but it always amazes me how quickly that money vanishes on rent, train fare, bills and food. This one will have to roll on to 2014…

7) Blog once a week

I blog…sometimes?

8) Go somewhere exotic with money from (2)

Can you call Belgium exotic? Just look at it (see below). Yes we returned to Pukkelpop Festival once more for three days of great music, camping and very friendly Belgian men. Highlights were: Eminem, The Prodigy, The XX, Bonobo, Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, The Noisettes, Regina Spektor and Duke Dumont.

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Other highlights of 2013:

  • Met The 1975, as well as Fossil Collective and United Ghosts
  • Interviewed Newton Faulkner
  • Jillionaire of Major Lazer grinded on me after their gig…
  • Saw SKRILLEX, the one artist I’ve wanted to see for ages, and he rocked it
  • Saw Deap Vally, my favourite rock & roll girl band
  • Work Experience at Time Out, MoneySupermarket.com, The Spirits Business
  • Attended an eventful Belvedere vodka launch party with my boyfriend
  • Became features editor for This Festival Feeling and reported on Isle of Wight fest (saw Ellie Goulding, The Killers, Bon Jovi…)
  • Freelanced for Identity Inc and wrote content for Holiday-Weather.co.uk
  • Got my first 6-page magazine feature published in Monarch Airlines in-flight magazine, Passport
  • Raved it up at South West Four Festival
  • Got dip-dyed at Field Day Festival
  • Drank lots at Crawley Folk & Beer Festival
  • Rolled around in a ball pit on my 22nd birthday night out
  • Saw Ellie Goulding for the third time…”Goodness gracious I can’t seem to stop”
  • Countless BBQs, trips to Brighton beach and nights out on the town with my Sussex ladies

So all in all, an EPIC year and one that will be very hard to beat. Although I’ve already made three plans for 2014 with my boyfriend which should be awesome:

  • Harry Potter Studio Tour, London (next week!)
  • Paris for Valentine’s weekend
  • DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL – oh my god Linkin Park!!!

Anyway back to those New Year’s resolutions. Basically, as I have a very hectic lifestyle now what with commuting to London for work, I just want to make sure I do more of the things that make me happy. I want to:

  • Lose myself in music
  • Do stupid things with my friends
  • Practice yoga (and eventually do a headstand)
  • Paint
  • Play the keyboard
  • Make full use of my Kindle
  • Have date nights with my boyfriend
  • Save up! (I know money doesn’t equal happiness, but it helps!)

Side note: I’ve decided to go dry for January for various reasons, however my boyfriend is currently brewing wine in our bathroom, so we’ll see how that pans out.

Bring on 2014!

Euan Ferguson: How to make a lasting impression

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by in Brighton Journalist Works

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“Being a sub-editor can only make you a better writer” said Euan Ferguson of Time Out magazine today at Brighton Journalist Works.

Euan, who is now deputy sub-editor for the London magazine, told us about how he got his position at Time Out as well as giving us some tips on how to stand out on work experience.

The former Journalist Works student, said “Taking the fast-track course was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

He said the hands-on experience is viewed very highly in the industry, and it shows employers that you’re willing to make a commitment in terms of time and money.

Euan had a complete career change when he decided to go into journalism. He came to Brighton from Edinburgh and didn’t know anyone – which he said was a bonus as he wasn’t distracted by people constantly calling him to go to the pub!

He arranged a lot of work experience for after the course, including Time Out where he had a month’s placement. Here he worked quite closely to the chief sub-editor so would ask him for help as much as possible.

His hassling seemed to pay off though as he was offered a freelance position which eventually lead into a job at the magazine. Over the last three years he has worked his way up to his current position as deputy sub-editor.

Euan said that to be a good sub-editor you need to be:

1) Meticulous – spotting the smallest of spelling and grammar mistakes

2) Creative – being able to turn something dull into something polished and exciting

He said that sub-editing is an excellent extra skill to have, as it gives you a better grasp of tone and style, and will make you a better writer.

Euan told us 10 ways to make work experience memorable, for us and for those we’re working with:

1) Get to know the publication inside out – know the regular sections, writers,   features, staff and style.

2) Arrive with ideas – even if they’re not used, your enthusiasm will be noted.

3) Make the tea! – break the ice and talk to the people around you, getting the balance right.

4) Act like one of the team – arrive early, work late, attend meetings and go for drinks – ask people how they got to where they are.

5) Every placement is useful – be open minded and apply to as many places as you can.

6) Ask for feedback –  compare the copy you submitted to the printed version and ask the pros what they think while you can.

7) Carry out every task with enthusiasm and precision – whether it’s fact checking or interviewing Beyonce, treat them equally.

8) Treat it like an extended job interview – if editors remember you, it gives you a huge advantage over other candidates.

9) Remember you’re there to learn, not to impress – overconfidence is more unattractive than overcaution – ask questions and don’t take on more work than you can do well.

10) Try to extend it – before you finish, ask it there’s any chance of coming back or lending a hand in a different department – if you’ve shown your worth you might be welcomed back.

He then gave us a few tips on feature writing. Euan said: “Everyone’s got something they’re interested in, so write about what you know.

“The feature has to have a hook – it needs to be current. If not, be creative with the angle – even if it’s just an anniversary of an event.”

He said that you could even take past stories and put your own angle on it by interviewing someone different to get a getting a different perspective.

Overall an engaging and insightful talk and by the end I knew I wanted to get a work placement at Time Out, for sub-editing, editorial or both if possible!