Two third year students offered jobs at top news agency

By UK Journalism

Two third year Journalism students have secured jobs at a news agency that supplies stories to national newspaper supplements and magazines.

Nadine Houghton and Jill Robinson will both start work this summer as junior feature writers at Wessex Features in Berkshire after beating off competition from 73 other applicants.

Their roles involve researching and writing real life stories and then allowing a variety of publications to bid for them. Magazines such as Bella, Chat and Sugar and newspaper supplements like Femail regularly print stories written at Wessex Features.

Surprise

Both applied for the job after seeing it advertised on Hold the Front Page . Jill said she was surprised when she was offered it.

ìI didnít know what to expect when I applied. I think I have been quite lucky, I got onto the shortlist for the day trial to see how I did in the role and got the job after being only the second person to go for a trial!î

Nadine also managed to make a good impression on her trial run. She said: ìI managed to secure a story for the agency whilst I was there and I think that really contributed to me being offered the job.î

Nadine chose the print route in her final year of her journalism degree whilst Jill decided on magazine. They both enjoy writing features and hope the job will act as a stepping stone into the industry.

Jill added: ìYouíre communicating with commissioning editors everyday so if you make a good impression and give them good stories it should help when applying for future jobs.î

Nadine says her future ambition is to work for the Big Issue in the North. She has completed work experience at the magazine as well as at Q Magazine and various local newspapers.

ìI would love eventually work for the Big Issue because it covers topics that are worthwhile and I am passionate about. I enjoy talking to people and trying to get the best out of them for a story.î

Both Jill and Nadineís former tutors said they were pleased but not surprised they had been offered jobs so quickly.

Cathy Darby who taught Jill in her final year magazine route said: "I'm thrilled that Jill, who had a very successful module placement at the Sunday Mirror's Celebs magazine, has secured her first job with Wessex. These will build a solid foundation for her print media career."

Nadineís ex-tutor Delwyn Swingewood added: ìNadine is an exceptionally talented feature writer who really gets under the skin of any subject."

More info
BA (Hons) Journalism
MA Magazine Journalism
Wessex Features

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Extra and related information

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.