Alan celebrating his new job

Newspaper journalism student  Alan White is the latest graduate to celebrate landing a job.  Alan is joining  Wates as a desktop publisher.

He’ll  be based in south Manchester  to work on a range of projects for the building giant.

“The skills I learned throughout the course, especially those gained in the third year, were invaluable in helping me secure the position,” said Alan who graduated with an Upper Second this summer.

“This job is right up Alan’s street,” said tutor Delwyn Swingewood. “In addition to being a good all-round reporter he proved to be a real whizz at layout and design. He’s a very talented young journalist.”

Postgraduate Stewart McCullough starts as a press officer with Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club. He’ll be based in the Kingston Park Stadium offices of the Aviva Premiership club and help produce match programmes, write  reports and arrange player interviews with outlets such as Sky Sports, ESPN and ITV which have this season’s broadcast rights.

“I’m passionate about sport, particularly rugby. Working for the Falcons is a fantastic break. It’ll be hard work but a challenge I’m really looking forward to,” he said.

 Sports journalist Alex Fenn, who joined  Premier League newcomers Blackpool  FC’s press office  after graduating this summer is also enjoying life with the club. He’s just flown out to Latvia where the team are doing pre-season training.

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Emily on graduation day

Emily Davies is the latest student to land a trainee reporter’s job within days of graduating. 

 She started on the Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer after being awarded an upper second in newspaper journalism.

“Being an Oswestry girl the Advertizer has always been one of my favourite newspapers, so I was thrilled when I found out I had got the job,” said Emily.  ”It has a big readership in the town and the surrounding areas and I’m excited by the variety of stories I’ll be covering.”

Emily succeeds Mark Hooson another uclan graduate who joined the paper three years ago and recently moved to a financial services website.

 “Emily was a very hard working and dedicated student who thoroughly deserves her success. She’ll be a real asset to the paper,” said her tutor Delwyn Swingewood

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Kyle Caldwell on graduation day

Two University of Central Lancashire newspaper journalism students had cause for a double celebration on the same day.

Kyle Caldwell and Hannah Upton received their academic awards and job offers within hours of each other last Friday.

Hannah Upton

Hannah who was awarded a postgraduate diploma with merit is a trainee reporter with the Nelson Leader.  

Third year Kyle who graduated with an Upper Second degree starts as an editorial trainee with business to business publisher Incisive Media.

“It has always been my dream to be a journalist in London and to be told that I got the job on the day of my graduation was pretty surreal. I’m really looking forward to the move,” said Kyle.

Kyle will start on one of the group’s magazines for the financial service sector and service its print and online platforms. “Kyle proved a real whizz at online journalism, so it’s fitting he should now be working for the digital publisher of the year,” said his newspaper journalism tutor Delwyn Swingewood.

Hannah who starts next week got the job offer on the basis of her work placement with the Nelson paper.  “I was delighted when a vacancy came up and am looking forward to getting stuck in,” she said.

Jamie Bullen is another newspaper journalism student who starts as a trainee reporter within days of graduating. Jamie, who was awarded an Upper Second, is joining the Kent Messenger Group and will  be based in Gravesend.

Third year sports journalist Greg Farrimond, has just started in the press office of Premier League new boys Blackpool FC. He pipped two other third year sports journalists to the post.

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Adam (centre) with postgrads Amy Hilton (left) and Cat Ferris

Postgraduate student Adam Lord has landed a job with the Hull Daily Mail.

Adam who was a awarded a postgraduate newspaper journalism diploma with merit starts working in the production hub that serves the Hull Daily Mail, Grimsby Telegraph, Scunthorpe Telegraph and Lincolnshire Echo, as well as several weeklies and the usual supplements.

“I’m delighted that I have been able to get a job at such an established production centre and can’t wait to get started on the various publications.

“During my time at UCLan I developed a passion for production and subbing and at a time when some newspaper groups are sacking subs I’m pleased to have the opportunity to get into that area of journalism.”

 The Lancastrian read French and Spanish at the University of Leeds. “Adam proved himself to be a first rate all-round reporter but he displayed a real flair for layout and design,” said Delwyn Swingewood course leader MA/PGDip Newspaper Journalism.

Adam is the third uclan postgraduate newspaper journalism student to get a staff job before receiving his award. Ben Winstanley won a place on the Daily Mail’s trainee subs scheme and Rhianne Pope has joined the Oxford Mail as a trainee reporter.

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Postgraduate broadcast journalism students

The University of Central Lancashire has picked up four prizes in the latest broadcast industry training awards. 

 The MA/PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism course won the BJTC’s prestigious College Award for “general excellence in broadcast journalism training.”

 The course, which has been running since 1981, has trained many of today’s radio and tv journalists, including Ranvir Singh,  Danny Savage, Nina Hossein and Karen Allen.

 In addition, three students picked up programme awards in the 2008/9 Broadcast Journalism Training Council student journalism awards.

 Tom Hourigan (24) from Coventry, a student on the MA/PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism course, took first place in the category for best short television package with a piece about a dog who could diagnose cancer.  Fellow student Dan Tierney came third in the same category.

 BA (Hons) Journalism student David Mooney (22) from Gorton in Manchester won third place in the radio documentary category for a piece about the boundaries of offence in broadcast and standup comedy.

 MA course leader Mike Green said: “Our students have demonstrated once again that they are among the best in the country when it comes to producing outstanding radio and television. It is also a great honour for the course to be recognised in this way and we are grateful to the BJTC for helping us achieve such a high standard.”

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Alexandra: heading for the News of the World

A former postgraduate newspaper journalism student is joining  the News of the World as a trainee reporter.

Alexandra  McGowan has  been offered  a two year contract by the paper’s editor Colin Myler on its Robert Warren Scholarship.  She starts in September.

“Obviously I grabbed it with both hands. It’s my dream job.I’m absolutely thrilled to be working for such a great paper which is read by millions,” said Alex.

Alex has been working for leading Fleet Street agency Famous Features for nearly a year and her bylined work has appeared in everything from Closer to Heat.

But her first bylined story was in the News of the World shortly after she completed her uclan course last May.

“The course at uclan gave me a great start. It’s a course you should definitely do if you’re thinking of career in journalism,” said Alex.

“Alex is a star. She’s a hugely talented young journalist and has bags of energy and drive. It’s wonderful the News of the World has given her this opportunity,” said Delwyn Swingewood course leader MA/PGDip Newspaper Journalism.

The Robert Warren Scholarship is in memory of one the greatest popular newspaper journalists. Bob, as he was known, died earlier this year after a staggering 45 years with Britain’s biggest Sunday newspaper.

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Jon at his favourite venue

A third year student and Blackpool FC fan is putting his newspaper journalism degree to an unusual use.

 Jonathan Lord is becoming chaplain  at a Roman Catholic High School in his home town. As part of the job he’ll be doing a placement in Nigeria with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).

 ”I’m absolutely thrilled about this opportunity. I enjoy working with young people and this is a great chance to help them learn about how they can help people all over the world.

 “I thoroughly enjoyed the journalism course at uclan and through the three years I have gained practical skills and lots of confidence. I hope to bring my communication skills and enthusiasm to my new job,” said Jonathan.

 Newspaper tutor Delwyn Swingewood said: “Jonathan is excited about going to Nigeria and experiencing a whole new culture. It’s an incredible opportunity. It’s a challenge which he is relishing and we all wish him well.”

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The first edition

The North West has a new independent music magazine thanks to a former uclan newspaper journalism student.

The Ark at Preston brainchild of Gareth Butterworth was a sell-out success when it launched this month and is already set to increase its print run. 

Gareth who has spent the past 12 months working on the project said: “It’s a great opportunity to do something I love and have high interest in.  Music journalism is my favourite type of writing.”

 The glossy magazine has a cover price of £2 and is designed to interest the widest readership; content has everything from hard rock to indie to dubstep.

“It is specifically for Preston and its surrounding area, and is aimed at anyone with any sort of interest in music,” said Gareth who graduated last summer.

Former tutor Delwyn Swingewood said: “This is an excellent example of a student showing drive and vision by spotting gap in the market.”

Gareth is not only editor but also advertising director and distribution manager, so he’s had to learn to be an entrepreneur. For further details e-mail preston@arkmag.co.uk or contact Gareth directly on 07912555240.

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The School of Journalism, Media and Communication is holding a postgraduate day on Saturday 12 June 2010. To pre-register email classhelp@uclan.ac.uk or telephone 01772 893118

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Rhianne Pope: heading for the Oxford Mail

A group of uclan  journalism students have won jobs with top media organisations  even before graduating this summer.

Ben Winstanley on the postgraduate newspaper journalism course beat off stiff competition to win a place on the Daily Mail’s scheme for trainee subs. Fellow postgrad Rhianne Pope joins the Oxford Mail as a cub reporter.

On the international side third year student Nicolas Zannettos will be working for Cyprus based Dias publishing group.  Masters student Ken Grierson  has won a paid internship with the financial arm of international news agency Thomson Reuters. Melanie Mingas swaps newspapers for magazine with a job as assistant editor on Dubai-based The Big Project. 

Third year print student Laura Wild is working for Rochdale Online while Kirsty Styles is on a media internship with the international charity Oxfam. Georgina Farrer  joins a new lifestyle magazine in Yorkshire as an editorial assistant. Masters magazine student Debbie Graham landed her dream job with Cotswold Life.

Third year broadcast student  Adam McLean joins Granada’s news team while BA sports journalism undergraduate Adam Sharples has been appointed to the media department at Preston North End football club.  

“It’s a tribute to both our students and staff that in such difficult times for employment in the industry our graduates are already securing these successes,” said Mike Ward, head of uclan’s School of Journalism, Media and Communication.

Elsewhere former students have moved on in the industry. Nia Williams who was awarded the PGDip in Newspaper Journalism two years ago is leaving a regional agency for Reuters while Alison Stacey from the 2009 cohort is joining the Midlands news agency Caters.

Cricket continues to benefit from the uclan effect. Annika McDonald who graduated two years ago has joined the MCC at Lord’s as a media assistant. Over the river at The Oval 2009 sports graduate Dan Smith has been appointed video journalist for Surrey County Cricket Club.

If you’re interested in doing a postgraduate journalism  course at uclan or simply want to know more about the industry come to our open day on Saturday 12 June. To pre-register email classhelp@uclan.ac.uk or call 01772 893118

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