tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707228007097229203.post2012545654094831296..comments2023-10-28T08:45:03.721+01:00Comments on Former home of Headlines and Deadlines : Journalism students and work experience: getting the most out of a newsroomAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856693084384304955noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707228007097229203.post-71791992854270927522010-05-18T14:13:39.199+01:002010-05-18T14:13:39.199+01:00I got my first job on a magazine after a week of w...I got my first job on a magazine after a week of work experience. On my first day, they stuck me in a different room as someone else was on the spare computer. I was miserable and bored. So on day two I turned up early, parked myself at said computer and made tea for everyone. On day three I needed to find something out so I made some phone calls, copying how the other people in the office talked. I thought nothing of this, but later found out I was the first work experience person ever to pick up the phone and find something out. Most workies just sort of sat there. On day four I asked if I could write a piece for one of their regular pages and bashed through it super quickly because I'd already planned what I'd write before I asked if I could do it. <br /><br />I got a job on day five. A badly-paid, dogsbody job, but a job all the same, and I went on to work for national papers. And I've been amazed by the number of workies I've encountered with no initiative who just... sit there. If I'd just sat there, I'd still be "there" now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707228007097229203.post-57208820338036001522010-04-30T22:11:30.174+01:002010-04-30T22:11:30.174+01:00Patrick, I actually don't believe the world is...Patrick, I actually don't believe the world is big enough to hold those trousers you found on work experience. We'd all be living in tented darkness if they really were in existence :)<br />Seriously, I agree council meetings are just great places to pick up things - often the councillors don't seem to grasp that they are speaking in public - and you can pick up great leads that way. <br />I think you hit the nail on the head by saying work experience is the start of the relationship; I've taken people on because I felt there was an investment on both sides, and getting a foot in the door on a placement is one of the best ways to land a job. <br />I'd imagine newspapers are more disposed towards making an offer to someone they know, and who they have some relationship with and confidence in, ahead of a 'cold' interview any time. <br />There's a <b>lot</b> riding on recruitment nowadays - a news editor might wait several months to get vacancies signed off; would they want to take a gamble in those circumstances? Probably not.<br /><br />Peter, I think your advice is spot on and thank you for adding it here. <br />I think it must be disheartening for some people if they've not achieved what they wanted in a few days; the thing is, that's Journalism. It can be lightening fast, or take a while for a story to come together, and sometimes it falls completely apart. <br />I love your suggestion of joining reporters for drinks after work; it's inspired and very true. Throughout my reporting days, shifts often ended in the pub rather than at home, and everyone went along and shared (horror) stories. It really is the best way to get to know people and find out some of the tricks of the trade.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02856693084384304955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707228007097229203.post-23662593764760739042010-04-30T08:53:16.667+01:002010-04-30T08:53:16.667+01:00I've had the complete range of workie experien...I've had the complete range of workie experiences, from being told to wrap presents from a paper charity drive (true - they only had one PC with internet access too and banned me from it as I might take a story from a journo) to being asked to cover court by myself and offered a job as a result.<br />Some advice I think is useful would be:<br />Turn up a little early (not too much, say 10 mins), on your first day and look keen - often there will be papers in the reception, pick it up and read it while you wait. More impressive if the editor/journo sees you intently reading their product.<br />Conversely, don't expect too much on your first day. In my experience most editors haven't got round to doing logins etc so you might not get on a computer etc. Try and find a way round this but don't be disheartened if you haven't written a page lead after day one.<br />I always thought going to court or council meetings was good. It shows you're keen, and there's often little fillers you can do which takes the load off the reporter and gives you a crack at things. It also shows your media law knowledge if you're on a course. Plus when there is downtime (a lot in court) you can ask the reporter about the paper, the work etc A really good opportunity to find out more and get some useful tips.<br />If your story gets printed, read it and see how the editor has changed it. Ask why if the changes are not clear (WARNING: do not do this if the editor is on deadline or very stressed etc) so you can learn how to be a better writer.<br />Depending on the newsroom, don't confine your work ex to the newsroom. And by that I actually don't mean go out on patch (though you should). I mean invite the reporters for a drink in the local pub, or see if anyone is going out to lunch and join them. The informal setting is again a great chance to learn more about the team and show you are not just another anonymous work ex (buying for the first round helps)<br />Finally, don't be put off by your first work ex. Mine was woeful as they treated me like rubbish and didn't realise they had a hard working free employee who was half way to being a qualified trainee. The next place I went to did, and I flourished. Some newsrooms are just awful for their treatment of work ex people. If you are determined to make it, try a different paper and see how it goes there.Peter Trumannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7707228007097229203.post-835642736448064022010-04-29T09:26:09.797+01:002010-04-29T09:26:09.797+01:00Great post Alison, thanks for the mention. You hav...Great post Alison, thanks for the mention. You have some very sound advice and I hope people read it.<br /><br />It seems to be a very modern problem right now: the sheer amount of people that are willing to work - for free - not just for one or two weeks but for <i>months</i> in the hope of getting a job.<br /><br />I had a good experience on workie duty, mainly on the Yorkshire Evening Post. The newsdesk there took workies seriously if they were any good and I kept going back, doing about 12 weeks a year - by the end I was often going out with a photographer to meet quirky local people, which was the best experience I ever got (e.g. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/We39re-making-giant-strides.1549027.jp)<br /><br />I used to go to district council meetings at night and come in armed with a couple of tidbits, which goes down very well when it's something no one on the newsdesk has heard about.<br /><br />I wasn't offered a job, but a few months later a sister daily title did get in touch to see if I'd come and interview for a reporter vacancy - all on the strength of those workie shifts. I'd already moved to London by then but it was a nice moment.<br /><br />And since working in magazines / online media and now events at the Frontline Club, I've worked with many workies at the other end of the relationship - and I've recommended people for jobs and I hopefully will again. <br /><br />I suppose I just want to get the message across to them that (a) the opportunity for them while they're on the placement is limited only by their enthusiam and talent and (b) the placement can be only the start of the relationship. If people want to stay in touch, pitch for paid work, ask for a reference, whatever, then they're welcome to, but it's surprising how many people don't.<br /><br />Oh and I got bollocked and booted out of a newsroom once for not owning a local AtoZ. I don't know if you can get away with that in these iPhone days...Patrick Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05097298624594349914noreply@blogger.com