Media Jobs; Television News Correspondent

Last year I interviewed Steve Tucker of the Media Wales, seeing what it takes to become a sports journalist. However this year I managed to get an interview with Joanna Simpson of ITV Wales news, and learnt about what a news correspondent has to do in their day to day work.

Firstly, many would consider such a job as glamorous and maybe under the impression that you would only work a few hours a day, presenting in-front of a news desk. There is also the stereotype that reporters are rude and will do just about anything in order to get a story. However, like many stereotypes, there is a lot more to the job than meets the eye.

First and foremost a news correspondent will have a particular field i.e. sports or education. However in the case of ITV Wales, one may have to cover other stories that are not related to their particular field and even present upon the news desk. Such a job therefore requires a wide range of general knowledge and understanding of current affairs. Hence why reporters tend to be at least in their mid to late twenties when they start out. Not only that, but the reporter has to be believable and convincing in their delivery, therefore an individual with life experience is more likely to achieve this than someone fresh out of school.

Secondly, such a job is not a standard 9-5. A correspondent will have to work weekends, late nights and be on standby all hours of the day as they want to be first upon the scene to a possible headline story. It was suggested that a reporter may have to work 60 plus hours a week, a long cry away from working just a couple of hours a day. To succeed in such a career you must be willing to put the hours in! There is also a lot of travelling involved and the correspondent may have to be prepared to stay several nights in various locations, depending of the nature of the story.

There are several skills that are fundamental in order to achieve in such a job. To start with, one must be a people person and have an approachable side. Although it is important to have confidence in-front of a camera and the ability to deliver lines, however by having an approachable side, people are far more likely to share information with you, which could be the difference between a mediocre and a great story. This is especially important when the news story is about a tragedy as by having tact is going to achieve a lot more than approaching a distraught family like a bull in a china shop. Reporters must have the ability to work independently and it is extremely beneficial to have a good source of contacts, as well as a good grasp of the English language and understanding of the organisations values, because the producers will require a certain angle upon how the report is delivered.

In the realm of the organisation the correspondent is one of many in a large working team. For example, in the ITV Wales news sports department alone, there are around five correspondents. Each department will have an individual in charge of the editing as well as a team of researchers and film crew. Therefore one must be a good team player. As part of the team, you will have to make a report and stick to deadlines in order for the report to be

shown upon the evening news that day. The more experienced an individual becomes, they will rise up the ranks, getting to report on the headline stories and eventually becoming the main presenter or chief editor.

What is the best way to get into broadcast journalism?

The best way to get into such a job is by gaining a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism. This can be attained at Cardiff School of Journalism. It was suggested that the majority of new correspondents at ITV Wales News gained such a diploma. Although such a diploma is relatively expensive, it certainly pays dividends in the job hunt afterwards. It is suggested that the majority who gain such postgraduate training are practically guaranteed a job in journalism when they complete. Broadcasting organisations actively recruit from the postgraduate courses, and many jobs are then advertised in house. Without such a diploma it is extremely difficult to find vacancies as a news correspondent.

How can I improve my chances of employment after gaining a degree?

In order to work within the media industry, it is absolutely vital to gain work experience. Whether that is writing articles for the university paper, or spending days with television production companies, without such experience it is extremely difficult to gain a place upon a postgraduate course or an iternship with a production company. Therefore my aim over this summer is to get work experience to improve my portfolio. So far I have made progres and have a couple of possibilities lined up. One in the media department of an organisation and the other with a production company. Over the next term it will be my job to make sure I make these experiences happen!

Public speaking is also a necessary requirement, especially as a journalist or budding film director. As a journalist you will be required everyday to speak in-front of a camera, telling a story to the nation. As a film director, you will need to pitch ideas to producers, but also have the ability to elevate your team and get your desired message across in order to make the best of your production. Public speaking is not a natural skill for anyone, but with practice comes confidence, and with confidence comes jobs.

By Josh Fretwell

Word of the Day

Androgony - When there is ambiguity between gender classification. To be androgynous means one is neither male or female. Rockstars are often refered to as Androgynous.

Hegemony

The way in which ideologies become dominant, through a careful, but subtle negotiation, between those in power and mass society.

What Did You Do? (Swansea University Version)

We all remember our first day at University, traipsing around the freshers fair wondering what each society has to offer. A lot of us would have also passed a bunch of students dressed in military uniform assuming that to join would mean signing up to a military career. Swansea student Josh Doyle-Tanner did exactly that and realised the latter was not the case.

Josh became one of the newest members of Wales University Royal Naval Unit. Combining his respective studies with a University experience like no other, he has had an exhilarating first term.

So far, in the URNU; Josh has been to sea upon a Royal Navy Warship, played a lot of rugby and spent a weekend in the Welsh hills on an adventurous training exercise. 'It's been a lot more than I expected, I didn't realise the scope of things you could do with URNU, I thought you would go to sea on the ship and go to Navy bases but it is so much more.' As well as all that, there has been the chance to get involved with some epic socials, the last of which was a black tie event at the Millennium centre in Cardiff.

This year Josh is most looking forward to a yachting expedition. He stated; 'I'm looking forward to Medsail, which is where myself and other URNU students get to help sail a yacht around the Mediterranean for two weeks.'

On top of all this Wales URNU have an upcoming sports competition, the Damage Repair Instructional Unit (a sinking ship simulator), weapons handling training, another sailing trip around the Canaries and Easter training deployments all to look forward to

Last year’s Summer deployment took the students around the Baltic and Europe aboard their ship HMS Express. On two week stints, those involved would learn many of the practical skills of seamanship, whilst also getting a chance to visit some of Europe's most famous cities, even getting paid for this privilege.

Contemplating a busy term, Josh said; 'I would say that URNU is an incredible experience with incredible people, I would most definitely recommend joining the URNU to my mates.' Mind you, the experience has not just been one big holiday. Josh still had to pass a fitness test at Britannia Royal Naval College, and has had to learn a lot about the responsibilities of leadership and chart work. But he believes all will be worthwhile, and Josh is certainly looking forward to the challenges ahead!

By Josh Fretwell

What Did You Do (Cardiff University Version)

We all remember our first day at University, traipsing around the freshers fair wondering what each society has to offer. A lot of us would have also passed a bunch of students dressed in military uniform assuming that to join would mean signing up to a military career. However, Cardiff student Felicity Box realised the latter was not the case.

Wales University Royal Naval Unit recruited another batch of freshers this academic year, and Felicity was lucky enough to be one of them. She has now completed an exhilarating first term, combining her respective studies with a University experience like no other.

Felicity admits that; 'If anyone had asked me a year ago; what would I be doing in my first year of university? I would never have been able to imagine that I would be sleeping on ships, learning to navigate and going sailing in the Mediterranean!'

Over the past couple of months the freshers have been to sea, undertaken a training course at the Britannia Royal Naval College, spent a weekend of adventurous training in the Welsh Countryside as well as getting involved with some epic socials. The last of which was a black tie event at the Millennium centre.

This coming term is going to be even busier for the students at Wales URNU. With an upcoming sports competition, weapons handling, sailing around the Canaries and Easter deployments all to look forward to.

The last Summer deployment took the students around the Baltic and Europe aboard their ship HMS Express. On two week stints, those involved would learn many of the practical skills of seamanship, whilst also getting a chance to visit some of Europe's most famous cities and even getting paid for this privilege.

Felicity certainly has no regrets about joining the URNU and is really looking forward to the challenges ahead. She claims that; 'URNU has already given me experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life, it's a great way to meet some really amazing people and to have opportunities

to do something a bit different with your time at university.'

By Josh Fretwell

REMEMBER!

Remembrance Weekend is a huge event upon the military calender. Full time Service Personnel, Reserves, Veterans and even Students get involved. You would have seen them marching in towns up and down the country on Remembrance Sunday. In Aberystwyth, it was Wales University Royal Naval Unit representing the Navy on this special occasion, remembering those from all services who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country.

Wales University Royal naval unit, or Wales URNU for short, is a military run organisation which offers Students from all walks of life a chance to acquire a wide range of skills from leadership to seamanship during their time at university. In an extremely competitive job market, these skills allow the students to stand out against other potential candidates.

Although based at HMS Cambria just outside Cardiff, the URNU ship HMS Express is affiliated with the town of Aberystwyth. Therefore a contingent from the unit always travel up to Aberystwyth each year to make a strong appearance at their affiliated town.

Midshipman Rebecca Saunders said "Having been brought up in Llanidloes, Aberystwyth has always been special to me and parading through its streets brings a very certain sense of pride. We've always felt very welcome, and as HMS Express is affiliated to Aberystwyth we feel very privileged to be part of the Remembrance parade."

However with pride comes a lot of hard work. Wales URNU were up at the crack of dawn on Sunday Remembrance to prepare their uniforms. Such a pristine look takes hours to perfect. By 9.30, the unit were ready to go, and formed up at the town hall. Marching towards the front of the parade, the Unit followed the Veterans around the town, which ended at the War Memorial. After attending a Church service at St Michaels, the students had the chance to chat with the Veterans at the British legion.

The Remembrance Weekend won't be the only time the Unit pays a visit to Aber this year. In the near future, tide providing, HMS Express will make an appearance alongside in Aberystwyth. The students will be tutored on the procedure needed to bring the Naval ship into port by the Ships-Company and the Captain Lieutenant Browett. This will be part of a number of exercises the students will undertake, and a chance for the public to get a close look at a Naval Warship.

By Josh Fretwell

What Did You Do In Your First Term?

We all remember our first day at University, traipsing around the freshers fair wondering what each society has to offer. A lot of us would have also passed a bunch of students dressed in military uniform assuming that to join would mean signing up to a military career. However two Cardiff Met students did exactly that and realised the latter was not the case.

Carys Bird and Mohammed Shararah became two of the latest members of Wales University Royal Naval Unit. Both have experienced an exhilarating first term, combining their respective studies with a University experience like no other.

Carys, studying an Art foundation degree spent the first part of her Christmas Holidays upon a Royal Naval Ship sailing up to Holyhead. On board she practised navigating, helming and even directing the vessel upon its course. Even though she felt a little sea sick to start with, Carys thoroughly enjoyed it, declaring 'it was a great experience'.

Over the past couple of months the freshers have been to sea, undertaken a training course at the Britannia Royal Naval College, spent a weekend of adventurous training in the Welsh Countryside as well as getting involved with some epic socials. The last of which was a black tie event at the Millennium centre.

This coming term is going to be even busier for the students at Wales URNU. With an upcoming sports competition, weapons handling, sailing around the Canaries and Easter deployments all to look forward to.

The last Summer deployment took the students around the Baltic and Europe aboard their ship HMS Express. On two week stints, those involved would learn many of the practical skills of seamanship, whilst also getting a chance to visit some of Europe's most famous cities and even getting paid for this privilege.

Next month Carys will be attempting the challenge of a sinking ship simulator known as the DRUI. A team of students will patch up holes in a rocking ship, whilst getting drenched in ice cold water, which gushes from the rafters. Although not every-bodies idea of fun, it certainly puts leadership and teamwork skills into practise. Is Carys put off by this? Absolutely not! On reflection Carys stated that; 'URNU is pretty much the reason why I am wanting to do a full degree. it is that awesome!'

By Josh Fretwell