My work experience commenced on April 10 2007. I had never had any experience with working on a local newspaper before, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. From living in Southampton all of my life I had a good knowledge of reading the newspaper but not the creation side that went into making it. My Dad had visited the office for various jobs a few times and described what the newsroom was like. However nothing could have prepared me for the sheer size of it all, I was truly amazed! The office was split up into sections with different groups of people working on different parts of the paper, for example news, features, sports, sales and advertising, photography etc… It was then how I realised how much work goes into making a newspaper and getting a new print out everyday.

There was another girl called Gemma that also started work experience that day. She was very nice and we had things in common, for example, how we both attended university and had an idea that we wanted to become journalists.

The first activity of the day was to go out on a job with Ash Bolton. The story was about the first Princess Anne Hospital baby that was born 25 year ago, now having her very own baby! I went with Ash to ask some questions to the family. The baby was so cute! The Photographer Chris Moorhouse was there as well taking pictures to go with the story in the newspaper. They lived in Calmore, which was very near to where I live. Ash was a bit unsure how to get to the house, so I was able to direct him. I had a chance to ask Ash about the work he does and how long he has been doing it etc… and this was very useful to hear his answers.

When I came back Gemma and I were set a task to try and write a feature on the Wheels Appeal being run by the Rose Road Association. I found this task quite hard as we had to try and have a personal approach and we kept not getting the introduction quite right. This task took us to half way through the second day.

In the afternoon of the second day we were set a task to try and find out things that we didn’t know had names and to find foreign signs with bad translations. This task was a laugh to do and I enjoyed it.

The next day Gemma and I went to different departments. I went to the features section and helped them out with some sections to go in to the ‘What’s On’ pages of the newspaper and the weekend magazine. I found this day the most pro-active one and felt like I was really having input into the newspaper. Also went out with Sally to an art exhibition at the Bargate. The art exhibition had different art pieces of what it means to be human. One artist decided that he was going to sit in an armchair and that was his idea of what it meant to be human. People that visited the art exhibition also had their chance to sit in the chair if they wanted too, but it had to be a very quick change over as the chair could never be left unoccupied. I had my chance of sitting in the chair! We had camera and microphone out with us so that we could do a ‘Video News’ clip and Sally took some footage of me in the chair. Malcolm the photographer was also there and took photos for the weekend magazine. I had to say how I felt, I said ‘I felt artistic and special. I also felt I had the responsibility of having to sit in the chair and wasn’t allowed to get out of it’.

On the last day before the weekend, I was very tired at this stage and glad that the weekend had come around. I had really enjoyed the first week but with everything being new, trying to put all my effort into things and not being used to working 9 till 4.30, I was feeling the effects. I worked in the archive library that day, it was really fascinating seeing all the old newspapers and the way they were stored. I went out with the photographer, Chris Moorhouse, in the afternoon and again got to ask him lots of questions. At the end of the day, he mentioned that he would be going to the Saints match that weekend, to take photos. He showed me the lens that he uses, it was very big and heavy, but very impressive!

I came back for my second week. Dave King had asked me based on my first week what I would like to be doing the second week. I said I wanted to do half on features and half on news. He said that was fine.

My first day on features I had to write about a couple of plays that were showing next week. I also had to do a feature on the benefits of owning a holiday home. My last task was to do some research on retro sweets for the ‘What’s On’ section of the newspaper.

The second day on features, I completed quite a few tasks, including writing a preview for a new play coming to the South for the Looking Ahead section of ‘What’s On’ and a preview for ‘Rat Pack: Live from Las Vegas’ coming to the Mayflower. Also used my research skills to complete the 48 hours section suggesting things to do with the kids, date, folks and what to sing along too and what films to rent. I used the Internet and some leaflets Lorelei gave me. I enjoyed this task and it got me thinking about how I might like to spend my weekend!

When moving to News, I was given a couple of stories to write up. I then was given a News Release/Photocall Notice about the fundraising event, Big Bike Ride 2007, for the NSPCC, that the Saints were lending a hand with publicity in order to recruit cycle ride organisers. I was told I would go out to get some quotes and then write the news story up. I found this task challenging, as I wasn’t quite sure what I should ask! It was great seeing the players, but even though I had prepared questions it was really hard knowing what to ask! I got some things from the NSPCC Communications Officer for the South and East who spoke to me as well. Stuart the photographer was there taking photos as well to put with the story.

My last and final day, I went to the features department to help them out with a feature on health matters, I researched and wrote a piece on dental treatment.

My time spent at the Daily Echo was a worth while, brilliant experience that’s taught me a lot more about journalism at work. There is a big difference between just reading a profile for a journalist on a careers Internet site and seeing one working in the real and almost being a one yourself within the work experience. I found the staff very friendly and helpful, which put me at ease.
Christine Kerr