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To describe my life now – two months into the MA Newspaper Journalism course at Nottingham Trent University – I am going to borrow a quote from my recent interview with comedy ninja Gina Yashere: “I’m hustling. I’m doing alright. I’m hustling”.
On Friday, 17 June I received the news that kept my dream of pursuing a career in journalism alive.
After a month of juggling work and study as a part-time NCTJ Multimedia student at News Associates, Manchester, I’m still on a high. Deadlines, networking and Saturday morning rush hours are just some of the things I’ve had to contend with, yet thanks to the Journalism Diversity Fund I’m learning priceless skills and making incredible contacts.
When you grow up in Northern Ireland you are surrounded by news. Sometimes the stories will be light and forward looking. Often, they are sorrowful and serious, recalling the difficulties of the past.
The Journalism Diversity Fund was a beacon of hope for me at a time when I felt I could never afford journalism training. I didn't have thousands of pounds to pay for a course and my future prospects did not look promising.
Extremists, murderers and a few outright nutters are just some of the less desirable subjects I’ve had to deal with through my work. The one thing you can say about journalism is that it’s not boring.
Two weeks from now I will have completed the fast-track Newspaper Journalism course at News Associates in London. The past five months have been nothing short of an insane rollercoaster ride, and I have felt every emotion under the sun since the course began.
I was over the moon when I was told that I would be the new journalism intern at the NCTJ and would be responsible for administering and promoting the Journalism Diversity Fund.
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