Students learn how to break into the media
Aspiring journalists at Lancaster University got the inside track on life in the media this week.
On Saturday, 20th November, four media professionals came onto campus to share their experience with Lancaster students.
Speakers included :
- Lancaster University alumna Victoria Kirby, an award winning reporter who works on BBC’s North West Tonight.
- BBC Radio Lancashire journalist Tim Padfield, first reporter on the scene at stories such as the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster.
- Andrew Turner a former editorial/content and video training officer for Newsquest and Trinity Mirror who now works for Blackpool-based GDR Public Relations.
- Award winning newspaper journalist and editor Chris Wheal, Chair of the National Union of Journalists Professional Training Committee.
More than 50 students took part in the workshops which were organised by Lancaster University Student Union (LUSU).
The event was organised by Lizzie Houghton, LUSU Vice President (Media and Communications), LUSU Media Officer Matthew Power and Joe Buglass Enterprise Manager at LUSU involve – the student union enterprise and volunteering wing.
Joe Buglass said: “Lancaster students are completely switched on to the reality of breaking into an industry as competitive as the media.
“The speakers were there to give their real world advice and experience and demonstrate that with the right attitude and experience , securing a job in the media is possible.
“We were delighted so many Lancaster students came along and we hope this will be the first of a series of similar events focussing on different professions.”
Lizzie Houghton said: “It was fantastic to see so many Lancaster students willing to giving up their Saturday for this. It just shows how keen people are to learn about the media and their enthusiasm to make it all the way to the top.
“The Students’ Union will be doing all it can to provide more opportunities for Lancaster students to pick up experience and knowledge of the media industry, especially now that we know students are so eager for it.”