A look back on my placements and experiences so far: March to October 2024

Here's I would first off like to start saying how these opportunities would never have come to me if it wasn't for the support of friends and lecturers around me, this year has truly proven to me that becoming a sociable butterfly really opens the door for you in the industry. That doesn't mean you need to suddenly change your personality if you're really shy (from experience its almost impossible!) but making the effort to write that email, call that contact you made last week at that networking event or just simply asking the people around you for help can make a huge difference! All the photos below will take you to social links with possibly a bit more detail.

(This will be excluding mandatory lectures and newsdays)

Army Veteran networking event - Silverstone

My first ever networking event! Glad to have gotten a chance to go along and meet so many amazing people and hearing all about their stories, lots of activities and talks about how to get veterans with their transition - could have gotten a chance to be driven on the track but chickened out at the last minute!

Radio LaB Bedfordshire - Northampton

This is technically cheating a little bit but back in late March I was working with Radio LaB Bedfordshire as part of a newsday for Northants vs Beds Varsity, however I was only supposed to be liaising with them as a sort of a go-between person, and ended up doing Sport commentary for the first time for the entire day. I have to admit at first it was really difficult, thinking of things to say when there's a million technical difficulties and trying not repeat what you just said when absolutely nothing is happening is hard to pull off, you basically have to be a walking thesaurus! But the team at Radio LaB were so lovely and patient with me that by the end it became so natural to me! It had definitely got me more interested in sport reporting, even though I wasn't exactly what you would call an expert. I think this was the only incident this year where being at the right place at the right time and not having to know anyone worked my favour.

ITVX - London

Now we go to April, and I doubt I would have gotten this without a contact! I still look back at this with such shock on how I managed to get this, especially if (like me back then) you lack a lot of self belief, opportunities like this never would have crossed my mind a year ago, but in a way it kind of made the experience more special. ITV is definitely thought of as having a highly competitive atmosphere but luckily I had gone on a weekend so people were more available to chat with me. I had a lot of fun with making video explainers and learning about their particular techniques in comparison to other news organisation. Above is the photo of me sitting at the ITV presenters desk looking far too happy.

Darkside Developments - Wombwell, Yorkshire

Jump forward to June and I've completed second year, gone to Copenhagen with mum and now a 40 minute drive from Leeds, I honestly had not expected to be working on two out-of-class sport projects, and in motorsport no less! I definitely learned a thing or two whilst I was up there, and about the under-appreciation of diesel cars on the track.

The General Election - Colchester

In July, admittedly a difficult day for me, I've never done an election before so doing it overnight for the first time took it out of me, though I don't regret doing it. I also turned 20 that evening, so thats a good insight on what the next decade is going to look like!

BBC Northampton - Northampton

What a fantastic opportunity that was, into early September and I got to work at a great place with some great people I am

Channel 4

In this photo I am doing the auto cue for the lunchtime 4 o'clock news, very stressful and was told only 5 minutes before going on air that I was doing it! Always happy to help though!

MyLondon - Canary Wharf

An incredible experience, admittedly written journalism is not my forte however I did get many opportunities to go all over London and here stories from so many communities.

I'm excited to see what comes my way next!