On the first Monday, naturally I was nervous; I was greeted by Pam Johnson. I was then taken to meet Mr McMillan and then guided to where I was going to work for the first two days- the photography department. I was introduced to a photographer called Anthony-Chappel-Ross, and ironically we had met earlier when we were waiting for the building to open. I was given a health and safety induction of the photography department, and after that I started work on the various jobs that needed doing. Later that day I was told that I was to go out to the North Minster Business Park and York college to take some photographs with Anthony, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I got into a dark blue metallic convertible.
On the first Wednesday, I was handed back to the Gazette and Herald and was given a two hour induction by Mr McMillan. I was told to sort out 300 papers and put them in order. I spent the rest of the day typing my own articles for the next week’s paper.
For the next two days I made 150 phone calls to various people and organizations, and before I knew it the first week had ended, I said my goodbyes and left looking forward to the week at Malton.
The second week was somewhat different as I went to court on Monday, Helmsley on Thursday, and Rosedale Abbey and Terrington Hall on the Friday.
I think that the work I did had a positive impact on my employers as Mr McMillan said “Sophie is very willing and co-operative, comfortable in the environment with no obvious flaws”, and Victoria Young also said “Sophie was able, willing and very pleasant to work with (and a great style consultant) I’d be very happy to work with her again.)
Work Experience was extremely different to being at school because I was treated like an adult and not like a child. It was also different because it gives you experience that can be useful for future careers. I learnt about keyboard skills and I also learnt about writing for a newspaper.
I wasn’t able to plan my working day because I did not know whether or not I would be going out to a job. I don’t think I would have liked more say because I liked the work, just the way it was. All the people I worked with helped me in one way or another, whether it was about the work in general or travelling from one place to another- and for that I’m extremely grateful. I think I helped people by doing the jobs that they didn’t have time to do, for example- making all the phone calls.
The benefits of work experience are that it gives you experience for the years ahead, it builds confidence and self-esteem, and it is a chance to learn about a specific career. My Work experience has influenced my decision as I have now decided that I want to become a journalist. In order to do this I will stay on at sixth form and then go on to a university to study either Journalism or English. I have discovered that in order to go into sixth form I need five or six GCSE’s grade A* to C (and one must be in English). In order to become a journalist I need two A- Levels, a degree (it doesn’t necessarily have to be in Journalism) and pre-entry experience.
REFERENCES
National Union of Journalists- 02072787916
2003 Occupations by Connexions
Careers Library- NUJ
