For one fortnight every July, offices and departments in the JHQ area take on Year 10 work experience pupils from Windsor School. This year, Media & Communications UKSC(G) welcomed Megan Snook for two weeks, while Natalie Thompson and Stephen Donnelly completed 1 week each. Below, Megan, Natalie and Stephen explain what they go up to and give their thoughts on the journalism and photography placements:
Stephen Donnelly gives his account of week 1:
There is nothing I hate more than being idle. Whilst not by any stretch of the imagination a hard worker, I just like to be occupied. This is difficult when you are in year eleven and having finished your exams, face a ten week holiday of utter indolence so when I heard of a vacant work experience placement in the Media and Communications Department, I decided it might be worth a try. I have always had a keen interest in writing and like to consider myself as a potential journalist, however idealistic this may be, and find the way with which information is dealt, presented and even manipulated (perish the thought) very interesting. And so at 9am on Monday morning, I rose like the rest of the world from the languorous embrace of my duvet and ventured like a proud soldier into the world of work.
After the introductions, I was presented with a seven page summary of current news, provided by the Government Communications Network’s Media Monitoring Unit containing details of China’s continued abuse of Tibetan monks to Big Brother’s Alex and her vendetta against Jen. What struck me about the summary, was the ratio of fact to opinion. Rather than the typical British media onslaught of slanderous comments based on little more than popular opinion, this booklet actually told the reader what was happening, as opposed to what they thought about it.
The week included excursions to the JHQ BFBS studios and Sixth Sense and Bulletin offices. At BFBS we were presented with was a hub of activity, the radio booth looking like something out of Frasier. Reporter Judith Wake demonstrated to us the format of radio news and the way in which reporters can digitally rearrange and splice items, music, interviews, jingles etc, as well as how sounds are faded in and out and layered. As I tried to absorb all of the information, the notion of a career in broadcasting became more and more enticing.
At Sixth Sense we were able to chat with journalist Gill Robinson about her work and experiences at the paper, and how she is able to choose her stories, write them in the appropriate style, and send them up the ladder for editing etc. We were then given time with Paul Baldwin and Gerry Waters, the respective editor and deputy editors of the Rheindahlen Bulletin. I found it interesting how the Sixth Sense will examine an issue, taking a steady, analytical approach, whereas the Bulletin will write stories to attract the attention of the reader, by covering big events from a more personal, people-orientated angle. Paul also told me to my interminable glee that readers could submit articles themselves on community-related topics of interest to them, a liberty I hope to exercise to its fullest. Watch out JHQ!
After the visit we accompanied Gerry to cover a story at the Fire Station, concerning the oft-forgotten Emergency Fire Number (112 for those who have forgotten it). I was thrilled to be given my first chance ‘in the field’ as a journalist, and so like a secret agent, armed with only a pad and pen, I infiltrated the ineluctable headquarters of the Fire Department. Back in the office, Nigel Sargeant, the acting head of the Media and Comms Department, allowed Megan and I to sit in on a video-conference with the corresponding branch in the UK, after which I finished my day by writing the Fire Dept. story.
The next day proved to be very exciting, as we were driven to meet a group of Air Cadets from Britain at CAOC2, a NATO operations base, somewhat reminiscent of 24’s Counter Terrorist Unit. Maybe I watch too much TV. We were later given a tour of Weeze airport, being shown around the Air Traffic Control tower and luggage carousels. I found this part of the day particularly interesting as I fly from Weeze quite a lot.
The rest of the week was spent writing up articles and putting the finishing touches on the epic saga which you are now reading. All in all, this proved to be a week of real learning and development. I would like to thank Media & Comms for giving me both opportunity and guidance. This is a work experience placement I would highly recommend, even if you don’t hate being idle. |
RESG
