EXCLUSIVE: Final year journalism students land jobs
Three BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism students have been celebrating after landing full-time jobs before they’ve even graduated.
Fourth year students Fraser Nicoll, Erin Maguire and Oliver Wright spoke to us about their new roles, and how GCU paved the way for them to kick-start their careers:
Fraser Nicoll – Production Journalist at STV
“I was on work experience with STV in Aberdeen back in my schooldays and I got invited back during the summer for some freelance work. I live and study in Glasgow and this job came up so I just decided to go for it. I wasn’t 100% sure how it would all go balancing it with my university work but it’s been brilliant and something I’m really enjoying – especially now my dissertation is out the way!
"What attracted me to study on this course was the lecturers during Open Days saying that we would be treated like a journalist from day one. I remember thinking that was a perfect fit for me because I was really keen to get practical experience, working with cameras and things like that. All the News Days and broadcast classes have been brilliant for preparing me. The lecturers also have an amazing list of contacts and that all led to me feeling comfortable to take on this role.”
Erin Maguire – Reporter at Helensburgh Advertiser
“I started doing some shifts with another paper at Newsquest at the beginning of third year and this job came up as a result of me working there. The editor thought I would be a good fit and just asked if I wanted to apply for the role. I wasn’t sure at first, because I thought it might be a bit much along with my dissertation, but my lecturer Christina McIntyre was very encouraging and I’m glad I went for it. It’s a tough industry to break into and it’s definitely a good place for me to be. It feels good to be officially starting my career before I’ve actually left GCU.
"All the modules we’ve been taught just really led up to this point and, now that I’m in a job, you can see the importance of all these skills. It’s definitely been a great course to set me up for the world of work.”
Oliver Wright – Radio Journalist at BBC Scotland News
“I was freelancing over the last couple of years with Clyde One, doing some of their bulletins. I then went to the BBC to do some research work for Question Time and Debate Night. From there, I just got chatting to some of the radio people and they just offered me the chance to do some shadowing and after a couple of days just offered me the job on the spot.
"I’ve always wanted to work with the BBC since I was a wee kid, so it’s a bit of a dream come true, to be honest. I never thought I would be in this position before graduating.
"The programme has been amazing. The work that we do on the course is exactly what we do in our jobs – that learning environment has been crucial for my development going into this role.”
Find out more about BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism programme
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter