Fleet Street beckons

Two University of Brighton sports journalism students won placements on two national newspapers.

Charlie Eustice went to The Independent and on his second day there was commissioned to write an article he had researched and presented; read the article.

And Harriet Fuller finished her placement at The Sun to be told that “this is your desk – it will be here for when you finish your course”.

Jed Novick, Co-Course Leader Sport Journalism BA(Hons), said: “This was tremendous experience for Charlie and Harriet – all of our students are showing the kind of promise that I’m sure will lead them to jobs into this fantastic profession.”

Harriet Fuller told of her experience: “I’m a big Twitter user and have my own blog. The Sun’s racing editor noticed I was a big racing fan and we also had something in common – we are both Brighton fans.

“He invited me to his offices to have a look round, and he said he was more than happy to take me on for work experience which is a compulsory module in the final year at university. They also gave me the job of writing the next day’s lead story which was a challenge.

“I was delighted – getting work experience at a national newspaper isn’t something that comes easy. During the first week of work experience I was mainly focused on organising and editing The Sun Favourite website, and writing articles.

“It was great to be using different skills of subbing but also getting down to what I love the most; being a journalist and writing articles. By the end of the first week the editors approached me and offered me some shifts after my work experience which would continue throughout my year at university.

“This was something I didn’t expect at all and could hardly believe. During the second week of work experience I was given more of a free rein on what I was doing and found myself contributing to the paper and doing a range of things from tipping to previews and still subbing and editing.

“It was after my work experience that all the skills I had developed at university really came into play. We undertake digital and multimedia journalism modules and learn how to use Indesign and software like this. I was able to show my knowledge of the software and put it to good use when preparing the pages for the paper. That is now another aspect of my job there, putting the pages together which, due to the modules on the course, I was able to step into straight away and do without being taught it at The Sun.

“This really impressed the editor there as it gave him one less thing to think about. I would definitely recommend the course for would-be journalism students, it not only teaches you the bread and butter of journalism – that is the writing – but also the modern day skills we need to know to fit into the changing world of journalism.”

Charlie Eustice’s first idea was accepted by the Independent’s website team – a tribute to Rally champion Richard Burns on the tenth anniversary of his death.

He said: “For anyone approaching the start of a placement, I would strongly recommend going in with at least two or three story ideas to develop, and I feel that my content was well-received.

“On the same day, I was asked to stay late and cover the UEFA Champions League match between Juventus and Manchester City. This was an unexpected perk, and while I ended up getting back to Eastbourne at around 1am, I had never felt so productive.

“My second week mainly involved researching stats and historical facts for other writers’ stories for the Independent’s main paper and supplementary i paper.

“While this did not grant me a byline, it felt fantastic to see something I had worked on in a newspaper, and I feel that my role as a sub-editor on University of Brighton’s blog Overtime prepared me for this.

“I had a great fortnight at Northcliffe House, making plenty of contacts. While I wasn’t offered a job on the spot, I was told that I was welcome to come back again in the new year.”