Work Experience

As a budding magazine journalist, I have obtained several placements over the years for different editorial companies. Here is a list of where I have worked for work experience: 

· Solihull Observer
· Hello Birmingham
· BskyB
· PME
· Student Doc
· IAmAfroBeauty

I have developed during the course of these placements both professionally and personally. I have acquired new skills from such vacancies, such as the technique of writing audio description, how to write press releases and interviewing members of the public. Personally, I have become more confident and my ability to interact with people I don’t necessarily know has strengthened significantly.

Here I will provide an overview of what these placements consisted of, with examples of my work when necessary…

Solihull Observer
A week at the Solihull Observer gave me a sound insight into how a print publication functions. I shadowed a reporter (which I found most interesting), wrote several press releases and phoned up a woman to get information for an article by interviewing her. This involved composing a list of questions to ask her beforehand, but I also had to come up with additional questions in response to her answers during the conversation, which inevitably strengthened my ability to be spontaneous, as well as my communication skills.

Hello Birmingham
Working for 7 consecutive months for a print publication enabled me to develop my skills and showcase my talent. During this period I penned various articles, added content to the Facebook page (as administrator), gathered research, increased brand recognition, interviewed members of the public and done some promotional work in the form of modelling. I enjoyed this experience as it provided me with the opportunity to delve into different areas of the media and it definitely gave me journalistic experience. It was admittedly daunting at first to introduce myself to members of the public and then converse with them about their style, but after getting used to it I became more comfortable doing so and then received a buzz from the adrenaline rush. It increased my confidence and gave me a taste of what it is truly like being a journalist, and I absolutely loved it. Here are some "behind the scenes" photographs of myself interviewing trend-setters for the "Style on the Street" fashion feature:

BSkyB
Shadowing media professionals at British Sky Broadcasting really opened my eyes to how such a massive, successful and prominent company operates on a day-to-day basis. I was given a tour around the various buildings and spoke to many media workers in the different departments, which I found to be very informative and interesting. I worked in the VT library and the stills department (amongst other areas) and dabbled with writing audio description, which was an enjoyable experience. This strengthened my knowledge of the industry and enhanced my communication skills as I liaised with media professionals.

Me at Sky

PME
PME is the staff newsletter for the educators at Birmingham City University. I applied after my journalism lecturer opened the opportunity up to media students, and was soon after appointed the role of the writer. I liaise with the editor on a regular basis and it is my responsibility to construct articles for the newsletter. This experience allows me to develop my writing and interviewing skills, and gaining valuable feedback from a journalism lecturer enables me to improve my writing style. After an ample amount of research, I composed an interview with the subjects and then penned an article out of my notes. Here is an article which I have produced for the publication:

GIFTED GRADUATES OFFER SERVICES TO STAFF WITH CREATIVE COMPANY

Chris Williams

It’s less than a year since they graduated but already Steve Thornton and Chris Williams are running their own business in the heart of the PME faculty. 
  They have set up their company - Fourseventy Media  - at City North Campus and they believe that university staff could be among the first to benefit from the media services they have to offer.
  Previous projects produced include an audio slideshow for the Birmingham School of Acting’s production “Bohemia” and recordings of Diagnostic Tests for Trevor Hodge in collaboration with the English department.
  Steve explained: “We offer the chance for schools within the faculty to get their message across in a different way.”
  The entrepreneurial pair created the company during the third year of their BA Media and Communication because they were determined to launch their careers in spite of the intensity and pressure of completing their dissertation and final assignments.
  They are one of three companies being “incubated”  by Birmingham School of Media in a pilot project that they hope to continue next year.
  Record company, Brave or Invincible, is also based at City North and Tiger Bam, which is a multimedia company, targeted at the creative sector and is located at the Custard Factory in Digbeth.
  Chris says that being on university premises has allowed them to work closely with PME staff. “Staff trust us to do a good job because they know we have the skills needed to complete tasks. We are easier to use because we are on-site.”

Steve Thornton

  A slideshow promoting the Media Hub currently under construction at Millennium Point (opening in 2013) was commissioned by Joy Krishnamoorthy; BCU’s Marketing & Communication Manager, to give an overview of the contribution BCU has made to secure Birmingham’s status as a ‘Creative City’.
  Professor Phil Thickett said “As student employability is one of the cornerstones of the school’s selling points we thought that it was the right time to support Fourseventy. All three companies presented a strong business case filling niche production companies with good ideas. Included within their business models was the desire that once up and running they would be able to offer students the work placements that are core to the undergraduate experience.  It’s a win win situation.”
  Fourseventy Media are working on online university prospectuses with Donna Walters, Marketing Officer (Acting) for PME and will collaborate with NTI Birmingham for “Total Radio Bootcamp”, a week long training course allowing 13-16 year olds to work in radio.
  Chris and Steve can be located in room B308 (Baker Building). Their website is: http://fourseventymedia.co.uk/ and they can be contacted on: chris@fourseventymedia.co.uk and steve@fourseventymedia.co.uk.

Student Doc
http://studentdocmag.com/
I am currently in the process of undergoing work experience for a media project where I write articles for an online magazine called Student Doc. Here are some articles I have wrote for this project:

                  AIMING HIGH

Jordan persuing his dreams in America

The school bell chimes, and the class file out, scattering in different directions. Some carelessly stream into the canteen to engage in idle chit chat over pizza and chips, others form in clusters on the back field where they openly engage in meaningless gossip. Some may even slope off for a crafty cigarette round the back fences. But not Jordan Dawes.

Instead of following the crowd, he disappears into the gym, changes into his kit and immerses himself in practicing something he truly loves – basketball.  
 

There, in the deserted sports hall, stands nothing but Jordan and the towering basketball hoop, which is placed a considerable distance away from him.

As the sunshine filters though the highly-situated windows in the vast gymnasium, and the distant gabble of rowdy teenagers lurks beyond the brick wall, Jordan pauses. With a sudden lurch forward, he bends his knees, extends his arm and tosses the basketball forwards with meticulous precision. The ball flies through the air, swiftly circles the slender rim of the hoop and then glides through the net. 

That was two years ago. Despite being notably sociable and popular with his peers at Arden School in Knowle, Jordan occasionally snubbed offers of hanging out in favour of shooting some hoops in the gym. To him, that was the norm. Improving his technique could only be achieved by going that extra mile; putting in maximum effort would increase his chances of achieving greatness.

Now, Jordan doesn’t give up his lunch periods in favour of training for his beloved sport. Forget the mere loss of school break times, as his dedication to basketball has resulted in him sacrificing a whole lot more… 

18-year old Jordan has been around basketball for his whole life. His father, Kirk Dawes, is an extremely influential man, who has coached basketball at professional and international levels, so it is hardly surprising that Jordan was inspired to play the sport at the tender age of 14. His mother, Debbie, to this day remains an avid netball player, so being raised by athletic parents has obviously made an impact on the ambitious student.

Jordan has worked consistently hard and has very little time to himself, but likes to remain energetic: “I honestly can’t remember the last time I took a solid week off,” the determined teen said. “Even when I am on holiday, I always find an outdoor court to play on, and I go running in the morning too.”

Jordan has played for City of Birmingham in the English basketball national league for various different age groups, including men’s division 4. He played for the West Midlands under 17’s team at the annual inter regional tournament, and has also spent time as part of the England national team’s under 16 squad, but sadly, he was cut before the European championships got underway.

Securing these prestigious places for such respected teams wasn’t achieved easily. Extra practice resulted in quicker footwork, sharper accuracy and stronger stamina. Jordan aimed to improve at every training session by working hard and wanting to win everything he was involved in, regardless of whether it was serious or not: “The best thing about playing basketball is the feeling I get from winning. It drives me more than anything, as I hate to lose more than I like to win.”

Spending more time in the gym earned Jordan more playing time in games and further recognition for the high status teams like West Midlands and England. Jordan’s determination and hard work on the courts was soon commended when he was scouted during a game, which resulted in him moving to America to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.
 

Shooting hoops from a young age

“I moved to America after I started to improve because a lot of people said it would be the best place for me to go to take my game to the next level and continue my development,” Jordan explained. “I got lucky when someone saw me play and put me into contact with someone out here and fortunately it worked out.”

But living away from home hasn’t proved an easy feat. Being thrust into a completely different environment has forced the teenager to grow up more quickly, and settle into what can essentially be deemed a new life.

Jordan has had to learn how to completely take care of himself, consistently doing monotonous, everyday chores such as washing his own clothes, which had previously been done by his parents for the majority of the time. As a typical student, it becomes almost an engrained notion in your mind that your parents hold sole responsibility for domestic tasks, and you become wholly reliant on them to undergo these simple yet essential household errands.

It isn’t unusual to almost become ignorant to the significance of housework and take everyday comforts for granted quite easily, so when a situation surfaces where you have to take responsibility, it can become quite overbearing. “I have done chores such as washing my own clothes before a few times, but I have never been in a routine of always doing it for myself.” Jordan commented.

Another difficult aspect Jordan has had to cope with is the legal variations between the two countries. It’s illegal for Jordan to go drinking and clubbing in America, so he has had to miss out on a generic segment of a teenager’s life.

Funnily enough, Jordan was born on American Independence day, July 4^th, but only turned 18 last summer, so his experience of clubbing has been minimal and his wait to enjoy the party circuit has now been extended. “It feels like I have reversed three years,” Jordan said. “I can’t go to nightclubs out here because in America the legal age is 21 instead of 18, so that has definitely been tough.”

It has proved difficult for Jordan to be away from his loved ones: “I’ve missed just hanging out with friends that I have grown up with and joking with the family. Also, being away from my girlfriend has been hard, but it’s all necessary in the long run.”

Jordan playing his beloved sport

However, Jordan finds ways to keep himself entertained in America and has made new friends abroad: “If I’m not on the court then I’m usually doing something else basketball related, like lifting weights or watching it on the TV. Apart from that, I spend my time doing academic work or hanging out with my friends at the mall or the movies.”

Although unsure of any immediate future plans, Jordan will definitely continue with his prized sporting career. “I will definitely be playing at a high level somewhere, whether it is here or at home, but I guess I’ve just got to wait and see what happens,” he said.

Fast forward a few years, and you never know where Jordan Dawes will be. But you can have a pretty good guess.

TOP 10 SUMMER

TIME COCKTAILS

Barman Decland Walton talks summery cocktails

 

Summertime is nearly here. Although it may be the season perfect for BBQ’s, ice-cream and sunglasses, we don’t necessarily have to be lying on a sun-soaked beach to fully appreciate the delights of summer. In fact, we can easily experience a little taste of the tropics with a tangy, fruit-infused beverage, or savour the summery flavour of a creamy, coconut laced alcoholic blend. Whatever your preference, you are sure to find your perfect summer refreshment in this luscious list of mouth-watering cocktails. Decland Walton, a 20-year old barman who works at the Journey’s End pub in Solihull, has suggested these top ten drinks which are guaranteed to quench your thirst whatever the weather… 

1)   Margarita:

· ½ oz tequila

· ½ oz premium triple sec (Cointreau is favourable)

· 1 oz lime juice

· 1 lime

Firstly, rub lime around the rim of the glass to dampen the glass, and then dip the glass into fine sugar or salt (depending on personal preference), then add the tequila and lime juice. Stir thoroughly and garnish with a slice of lime.

“The Margarita is a drink for people who like sweet and spicy drinks,” Decland claimed. “The sweet lime contrasts beautifully with the spicy tequila, making for an interesting combination. What makes it even better is that it’s reasonably easy to do.”

2)   Woo Woo:

· ½ oz vodka

· ½ oz peach schnapps

· 3 ½ oz cranberry juice

Pour the vodka into a glass, followed by the peach schnapps and then add the cranberry juice, filling it just below the top of the glass. Stir, and then add ice.

“I would say Woo Woo is a pretty girly cocktail,” Decland said. “It’s very light and fruity, and highly refreshing. It is easy to make, and tastes delightful. It would certainly go down a treat in the summer, with its icy coolness and mouth-watering fruity flavour.”

3) Blue Lagoon:
· 1 oz vodka
· 1 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
· Lemonade
· 1 lemon
First,add the vodka (Russian Standard Vodka is a good choice), followed by the Blue Curacao liqueur. Top up with lemonade and place a slice of lemon on the rim of the glass. Fill with ice and then sprinkle cherries on the top.
Decland speaks highly of this electric blue cocktail, and offers a substitute ingredient for those who aren’t keen on the strong essence of vodka: “This drink has a vibrant colour and a tropical taste. If you’re not too keen on vodka, Tropical Sourz is a good alternative, as it adds that extra bit of fruity flavour.”

4) Pina Colada:

· 3 oz light rum
· 3 tablespoons of coconut cream
· Pineapple Juice
Pour the vodka into a glass, add the coconut cream and pineapple juice and then add ice.
Decland accentuated the tropical vibe of this beverage: “The Pina Colada is very reminiscent of the Caribbean with the coconut and pineapple blend. This drink is creamy, milky and thick, and it’s very tropical and luxurious.”

5)   Purple Rain:

· 25ml cherry sourz

· 25ml Blue Curacao Liqueur

· Lemonade

Add the cherry sourz and Blue Curacao, then top with lemonade.

“Purple Rain is tangy and sweet, and quite a popular choice. Cranberry juice can also be added to make for a fruitier and sweeter mix,” suggested Decland.

6)   Irish Apple:

· 25ml apple sourz

· 25ml Irish whiskey

· 25ml elderflower cordial

Combine the apple sourz with the Irish whiskey and elderflower cordial. Top with ginger ale.

Decland claimed the Irish Apple is quite a distinctive cocktail: “This has an unusual taste which can be considered quite bitter. For those who like to experiment with their drinks, topping this combination with ginger ale would make this cocktail even more interesting!”

7)   The Cosmopolitan:

· 25ml vodka

· 25ml orange liqueur

· 1 oz cranberry juice

· 1 teaspoon simple syrup

· A squeeze of lime juice

· A slice of orange or lemon

Combine vodka and orange liqueur into a cocktail shaker. Squeeze some fresh lime juice to the mixture followed by the simple syrup and cranberry juice. Finally, add ice and then shake well for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled Martini glass, rub the orange or lemon around the rim and then drop into the glass.

“The Cosmopolitan is a fruity drink with lots of zest. The chilled juices taste perfect against the ice and syrup. It’s just got that taste of New York about it; very desirable and modern,” said Decland.

8)   Manhattan:

· Dash of Angostura Bitters

· Dash of Orange Bitters

· ½ oz sweet vermouth

· ½ oz Rye whiskey

· 1 orange

In a chilled cocktail shaker, combine the Angostura Bitters, Orange Bitters, vermouth and rye whiskey. Add ice and stir, then strain into a martini glass. Finally, squeeze the orange juice into the blend, discard the peel and put a cherry on a decorative skewer. Place into the drink and serve.

Decland on this drink: “I would say the Manhattan is one of the more masculine cocktails, due to the bitter tastes and the classically male spirit of whiskey. The orange juice adds that extra tang.”

9)   Hurricane:

· ½ oz Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum

· ¾ oz dark rum

· 3 oz grapefruit or pineapple juice

· 3 oz mango juice

· 2 oz sweet and sour mix

· 1 lime

Add the spiced rum, dark rum, grapefruit juice, mango juice and sweet and sour mix into a cocktail shaker. Shake for 20 seconds and then pour into a hurricane glass (if you don’t have a hurricane glass, another speciality glass will suffice). Fill with ice and garnish with a lime wheel.

“This is a beverage for those who are willing to put that little bit more effort in to get a really tasty result,” said Decland.  “It is harder to make compared to the other cocktails, but it is completely worth it. It is spicy and sweet at the same time, and is really punchy and original.”

10) Strawberry Daiquiri:

· 25ml Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum

· 1.75 oz sweet and sour mix

· 3 oz frozen strawberries

· 1 cup crushed ice

Add all, including the ice, into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass, then garnish with strawberries. Strawberry schnapps, lime juice and powdered sugar can also be added to supplement the drink.

Decland was very excited about this strawberry sensation: “This cocktail is exquisite! It looks gorgeous, and tastes amazing too. The blended fruit makes it similar to a smoothie and it is remarkably refreshing, making it perfect for a hot summer’s day. It is best complemented with a handful of fresh strawberries sprinkled over the top – it’s incredible.”

So, if ever you are feeling in the summery spirit, make yourself a refreshing cocktail. Who needs the Bahamas?

STUDENTS TOP HEALTH TIPS

Young adults can be image-obsessed and vain. It’s common for us to have nagging insecurities about our weight, or to occasionally dream about acquiring a toned stomach to rival that of Nicole Scherzinger. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – if anything, it encourages us to become more fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Of course, it isn’t easy to lose weight – it takes time, patience and hard work, and some good dieting advice wouldn’t go amiss either, which is why I have compiled a list of fitness tips. And who better to get suggestions from other than you body conscious lot?

It isn’t surprising that many teenagers play sport regularly as a way of staying in shape. Matt Williams, 20, agrees that having such a physical hobby is beneficial: “Playing sport is fun and keeps you fit. I play football for my university team and golf on a regular basis.” Water based activities were a popular choice, as Natalie Hand, 20, suggested swimming, claiming “it’s effective because it uses all of your muscles,” and Dayna Farrington, 19, stated that aqua aerobics also has the same effect.

Many people sweat it out in the gym and make full use of the workout equipment that is accessible to them. “I use a running machine – working out in the gym is a good way to keep fit,” said 19-year old Jamie Barlow. Daniel Whillock, 21, offered his diet tip: “Do fast-paced exercise to get your heart rate up, as this is likely to burn more calories.”

Jamie Sirett, 20, regularly goes to the gym to work on strengthening his muscles, and offers his advice on how to increase tone: “If you want to gain muscle, train two muscle groups a time and go to the gym three times a week. If you want to gain mass, I would say: remember, MORE weight LESS reps per set, but if you want tone, LESS weight MORE reps.”

If you are more of a thrill-seeker, there are plenty of other ways you can keep active whilst getting an adrenaline rush. Nathan Wedgbury, 20, said that he enjoys extreme sports: “I go to the gym and I run, but I also like mountain biking, snowboarding and climbing. I occasionally climb big mountains.”

The latest fitness trend which has proven increasingly popular with people of all ages is Zumba, a Latin-dance inspired fitness program. “Zumba is a really fun way of getting some exercise!” claimed 19-year-old Grace Montgomery. “It’s a laugh, as well as being enjoyable. If you make a habit of it and go every week you end up learning the routines, which is even better because you feel really involved.” Grace isn’t the only one who dances to keep fit. Tom Lapworth, 19, commented: “I go clubbing a lot – going every week to dance keeps me fit.”

Slimming isn’t just about exercise – maintaining a balanced diet is also of great importance. “Make sure you have your five a day,” instructed Dean Hill, 24. “It isn’t actually that difficult – you can mix them in your drinks, take vitamin supplements or buy cheap fruit.” Jade Small, 19, said: “Make sure to drink lots of water and cut down on fatty foods.”

For some young adults, sexual intercourse acts as an effective workout. Christopher Rudge, 18, said: “The best exercise is sex!” Tom Harris, 20, agreed that this physical activity is a good way to keep fit: “Sex is a good fitness workout because it’s fun. I also think that swimming is arguably one of the best ways to get fit.”

Losing weight can be a tough process, and one which takes time and effort. Liam Short, 20, recognises that regularity is key: “I’d say maintaining a healthy diet is a major part of keeping fit. It’s important to keep it consistent though – there’s no point doing five fitness sessions one week and then nothing for the next two weeks.” 20-year old Josh Brown agrees that you have to be dedicated: “Make sure you push yourself when you work out, it shouldn’t be easy.”

However, it is crucial to know when it’s time to unwind. Glenn Bond, 19, said: “When I train, I make sure to relax afterwards. It’s important to know when your body has had enough exercise, because if you push yourself too much then you will be more likely to pull or damage a muscle.”

Tanya-Leanne Brocklehurst, 20, believes that using external groups can make an impact: “Going to a place which provides support can be a good help, such as Weightwatchers.”

Whether you seek support from a dieting service, join a new dance class with your friends or simply just do an exercise workout in the comfort of your own home, you can easily add some physical activity into your daily routine.

IAmAfroBeauty
http://www.iamafrobeauty.co.uk/#!Home/mainPage
I was a journalist and model for this event, which celebrates black and mixed heritage beauty fashion and business in the West Midlands. I wrote an article about an inspirational lady who won the IAm Inspirational award 2012:

 IAM INSPIRATIONAL WINNER 2012

It takes a lot to be inspirational. It requires hard work, willingness to help others, generosity, kindness, commitment…all of which Sherill Fuller has in abundance. Dedicated to improving the lives of young mothers and children, it is hardly surprising that her enthusiasm has been commended, securing her the title of the “IAM inspirational” award 2012.

Sherill Fuller is a social entrepreneur, qualified social worker and trained sexual health adviser who has set up a series of projects to help people within the community. Her Biz Kids and Mums 4 Mums programmes encourage young mothers to start up their own companies and introduces children to the world of business: “I encourage people to raise their hopes and dreams,” said Sherill. ““I inspire people to think differently and do things that are going to be profitable.”

When offering her career advice, Sherill said: “Just follow your heart and try your best - make sure it’s your passion and go for it.”

One person who has benefited from Sherill’s expertise is Monica Harris, a teacher who struggled to keep her job after an illness left her in a wheelchair. With Sherill’s encouragement and guidance, Monica was inspired to set up her own business, ‘Harris Tutoring Service’, which helps people strengthen their Maths and English skills.

“Sherill’s been a big impact on my life; she’s built up my confidence a lot,” Monica said. “She got me involved with networking meetings, which was a great inspiration, knowing that there are others in the same predicament as me. You get to know people who can boost your business - it’s just amazing.”

The IAM inspirational 2012 award will be presented to Sherill on the 3^rd June 2012, during the IAM Afro Beauty event, which celebrates black and mixed race heritage hair, beauty and business within the Midlands.