Gaining work experience is just as crucial as qualifications.
It allows future employers to see that you have the
experience needed to fill a role quickly and effectively.
University students often get work experience
opportunities within their course which is a good way
to build industry contacts. Making the right impression
can certainly help when you are looking for work after
graduation.
Internships are one of the most common routes to working
in the industry. I spent several months in London as an
intern within a high profile press office. Working in a fast
paced and pressured environment pushes you to the limit,
tests your knowledge and gives you plenty of experience at
the same time.
Utilising online tools, especially social media sites liked
LinkedIn, and Twitter can help to raise your profile
within the industry, and gives would-be employers the
opportunity to find out more about you, your interests and
your writing ability while online blogs offer a worldwide
audience for your work, is a great way to share your views,
build networks with other like-minded writers, and perfect
your writing skills. Combining your digital work with a
traditional portfolio, built from articles submitted to and
published by newspapers and magazines is an excellent
way to demonstrate your talents at interviews and will
stand you in good stead as you embark on a career in this
exciting, challenging and fast-paced industry.
College’s aspiring journalist
launches online magazine
Inspired after reading a Scottish fashion blog on
WordPress, Ashleigh decided she wanted to share her own
passion for live music and sought like-minded writers with
an advert on Gumtree.
Opinion Matters will operate as a professional publication,
with specific topics and deadlines, and so far has seen
volunteers from as a far as Spain getting in touch, whilst
another volunteer is currently working for the BBC. As
the magazine grows, Ashleigh hopes to pursue advertising
opportunities to raise revenue which can be reinvested in
the venture.
Ashleigh said “It is my ambition to work in music
journalism and having tangible evidence will give me a
great opportunity to show prospective employers what I
can do. I would love to work as an intern at the BBC but I
know competition for only 10 positions per year is intense.
Through this magazine I hope to share my love of writing
and improve my career opportunities by building on the
feature and creative writing skills I’m learning at Ayrshire
College.”
Film and Broadcasting student, and magazine contributor,
Steven Connelly said “Musicals and dramas are great
THE STUDENT VOICE: EDITION 2
to share my
“ I hope writing
love of
and improve my
career opportunities
by building on the
feature and creative
writing skills
I’m learning at College.
“
Ayrshire College NQ Film and Broadcasting
student Ashleigh Mitchell is aiming to begin her
own career in journalism by launching her very
own online magazin