TIM NEWNS
-
on his Journalism placement at The Cape Argus as a Sports
Journalist
Work Experience Feedback
Hi Roger
[Roger King is Travellers Project Manager in Cape Town]
I'm back in Manchester as The
Argus' official Old Trafford
Correspondent! It's great that they still want the copy and shows that the
Travellers experience doesn't have to end when you leave your project
country!
It has opened a couple of doors over here
and luckily I have managed to shove my foot in there before they shut it!
I have managed to get official press
accreditation at Old Trafford through The Argus and am in the very
early stages of freelancing in the UK, predominantly with the
Manchester Evening News at the moment, but they still have twice the
readership of The Cape Argus.
If I can continue to get somewhere with
this, it may be a good advert for Travellers in that I have gone from
having no experience of, or qualifications in, journalism or related
subjects, to holding my own in the cut throat business that is British
journalism!
Jo Breach
JO BREACH
-
on her Journalism placement at The Cape Argus.
Hi Charlotte,
[Charlotte Amery in Travellers UK office helped to arrange Jo's Project]
Thanks for your email.
As for my placement, I am enjoying it
loads. I have had some brilliant assignments and have had quite a few
front page lead stories. I am at an advantage that I have trained as a
journalist and so the news editor has been able to use me like one of her
normal senior reporters - apart that is from the Afrikaans - although I
can read a few bits of it now.
I was sent to write a feature about how 10
years of democracy has affected the life of people living in Crossroads.
Some of my colleagues thought it was a bit of a dangerous assignment being
a white English girl - but me and my news editor agreed I would be able to
look the township from a new perspective.
Other quirkier assignments have been
microlighting around Table Mountain, a feature about Cape Town's
stormwater drains and flying with one of the city's medical helicopters
for a day.
I am really having a brilliant placement.
The country and people I work with at the Argus are great. They have all
made me feel so welcome and included me in everything to do with the
paper. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Anyway, I'd better get back to work as its
lunchtime and I still have 2 stories to write before 4.00 pm.
Best wishes
Jo xx
Lindsay Thompson
LINDSAY THOMPSON
-
on her Journalism placement at The Big Issue. This is her
feedback (below)
First Impressions:Hi Aoife,Hope you're well, I've just been looking
through mypast emails and
completely forgot to reply to this
one, I am sorry you must think I'm really rude. I'lltry and remember my first impressions,
apologies ifit’s a bit sketchy.
The flight over was fine,
we had to circle for a whilebefore
we landed so I was treated to a spectacularview of the Cape and the mountains. It
really is sobeautiful over here.
Being a bit jaded and
confused I seemed to pick the
slowest queue ever in immigration! I think Rogerthought I hadn't made it as he put
announcements outover the tanoy! I
eventually made it through and methim. When we arrived at the Lodge everyone was so friendlyand kind, I met lots of people in the first
hour, andthen didn't have a clue
about their names! Charmaine(one of
the owners) kindly took me up to the
Supermarket to get a few bits and pieces. Then Ieventually got to bed.
In the afternoon one of my
room-mates and I had awander down
to the shops close by to get my bearings.Everyone was so nice and friendly.
The next day Roger came to
pick me up and drove me to The Big Issue.Work is really great, I can come and go as
I pleaseand work on my own stories.
I was also fortunate toarrive in time for a big meeting so I learned a lotabout the company. There are 4 other
interns of asimilar age which is
just fantastic, we all get on well
and though we're a bit short of computers and spaceit's all fun. I' m helping with the
marketing now, Ivolunteered as that
is what I want to do eventually.
Since then weekends have
been busy too, I've alreadyclimbed
Table Mountain, been to a few parties andbrais, pubs etc, Robben Island, The
Waterfront, amusical, the beach oh
and I've joint a gym in a bid toget
'that' body for the beach in Thailand!Anyway hope things are good in England.
I'll updateyou soon.Kind regards,
Lindsay x
At
the end of her Placement:
1) What
experience do you feel you gained?
Through my placement I feel I have learnt a huge amount. Work wise I have
gained an insight into how a magazine functions and runs but more than
that I have seen South Africa from a completely different angle from what
I would have had I not been working at The Big Issue.
2)
What was the best thing about your placement?
Being given a pretty much free reign over what I did here, the staff are
very flexible and accommodating allowing me to work on projects I am
interested in.
3)
Would you recommend this placement to anyone else?
Of course
4)
What type of person do you think this placement would suit?
Someone confident to take initiative and work independently. I feel on
this placement you get as much out as you put in.
5)
Can you think of any improvements that could be made to the placement?
A later start to the placement would be advantageous. I started on the
second day I arrived which was a bit unsettling.
6)
Can you describe a typical day?
(e.g Start time, morning duties, lunch hours, afternoon duties, any other
duties…. ) There isn’t really a typical day, you’re pretty much left
to your own devices to work how you like.
NAME: Jennie Hopkinson
AGE: 20
PLACEMENT: The Big Issue
COUNTRY: South Africa
Everything is going really well here. For the
September issue of the Big Issue I have written 2 news stories, a feature
article, a book review, a CD review and an interview with 'vendor of the
month' so as you can see I've had plenty to do. Everyone has been really
friendly and helpful so that has made being so far away from home easier.
What experience do you feel you gained?
I feel I gained experience in writing different genres and writing about
different issues and cultures
What was the best thing about
your placement? Having my ideas listened to and getting to write a full
page article on the suggestion that I had made to the editor.
Would you recommend this
placement to anyone else? I would recommend it to people wanting some
experience in a beautiful country
What type of person do you
think this placement would suit? I think it would suit someone who has a lot of ideas to share because
the amount you are allowed to write depends on how enthusiastic you are and
how much you contribute your ideas. Was their anything that you weren't told before you went away that
you think future volunteers should know? No, I had all the relevant
information about the country, accommodation etc. A typical day? I started the day at 9am and began by checking my
emails and reading the days news to see if I could find any new ideas. Then
I would work on whatever article I was writing at the time. Lunch hours
weren't set so you could sit and eat your lunch whenever it suited you. If I
was short of something to do in the afternoon I would check if any material
needed proof reading. Interns would all look at each others work before it
went to the editor.
I was really pleased with the placement and the organisation. It was good to
be taken on the first day and introduced to everyone and the location of the
accommodation was really good because it was easy to get to work and I
didn't have to walk very far anywhere.
NAME: Patrick Whyte
AGE: 23
PLACEMENT: Journalism at the Cape Argus
The work I did at The Cape Argus Newspaper
was incredibly rewarding. From the moment I entered the office I was treated
as just another member of staff and expected to contribute as much as anyone
else at the newspaper. This was daunting at first, but by the time I
finished my placement I realised how incredibly lucky I was and just how
much I’d achieved. I covered a huge variety of stories while at the
newspaper and got a chance to do things I could never do in England. I would
usually come up with a story idea or more often then not be assigned
something that needed to be covered. I would then go out with a
photographer, see what was happening and interview people for the story. I
would then be expected to assimilate, and write up the story for the next
day’s edition of the Argus (which sometimes meant staying late.)
The whole placement and South Africa in
general exceeded my expectations and I totally fell in love with Cape Town.
As I stated above I was treated as a staff reporter on a big newspaper,
something that just would not happen in England. I was expected to pull my
weight as much as someone who had been there for years. As well as
contributing to the newspaper I was able to learn from other members of
staff who had vast experience in journalism, which will definitely help me
in my future career.
The possible variations for
stories at the Cape Argus was limitless, as long as something was
interesting and newsworthy I could write about it. I never got bored, simply
because of the variety and amount of work I had to do. I don’t think I know
exactly what I enjoyed most because I got so many fantastic things out of
it. Cape Town is the most beautiful city I’ve ever been to and South
Africans are some of the friendliest people on earth and it was nice to
destroy some of the myths there are about the country.
I was also lucky to meet some fantastic
people at ‘Nelly’s Lodge’ from all across the world, many of whom I’ve
stayed in contact with. Nelly and Charmaine were fantastic hosts and the
Lodge felt like one big family. Obviously I also loved working at The Cape
Argus, and it crucially confirmed for me that I want to be a journalist.
Every time I sensed a story I got a buzz and I really felt I was
contributing to the newspaper.
What I really enjoyed about my placement was the variety
within my two month stay. I started by working from 8.30 – 4.30, but after
about two weeks I was placed on the ‘early’ shift which I stayed on for most
of my time at The Argus.
7.00am - Get
into office and read the days newspapers and check the wires. This time was
also sometimes used for following up previous stories.
7.00am -
@11.30am – If a news story broke early on I left the office in order to
report on and write up the story in time for either the first or second
edition deadlines. This involved leaving the office with a photographer,
covering the story and coming back to write it or alternatively dictating it
to another reporter in the office.
9.00am – If
there was no breaking story I would formulate ideas and follow-up stories
for the news conference. The editor would commission my ideas or
alternatively give me a different story.
9.00am -
3.00pm – This time would be used to write up my story/stories. Lunch was
taken at my own discretion and even though 3.00pm was my designated leaving
time I often stayed later to finish my story.
NAME:
Catherine Boal AGE: 23
PLACEMENT: The Big Issue
COUNTRY: South Africa
Shortly after her arrival: Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I did arrive safely, on time and amazingly with the baggage still intact!
Immigration was a bit of a headache but when is it not?!
Everyone is being extremely helpful and welcoming, there aren't many
volunteers out here at the moment but that's a bit of a blessing because
it's been quiet enough to let me get used to things at my own pace.
It is amazing how quickly you adapt - only 6 days in and I feel like I've
been here ages, the city is vast but I'm slowly learning my way around it.
Work is helping give structure to the days and there's no better way to
get to know a country than getting out here, meeting its people and
contributing.
The Big Issue is a small but great place to work - the people are
welcoming and the work exciting enough to keep you interested! At the moment
they are preparing for their bumper 100th edition so I think they are glad
to have an extra pair of hands! You are given as much to do as you want so
if you are prepared to dig in and make the effort you can really get stuck
in which is fantastic.
This weekend I'm taking a tour of the Cape and I'm looking forward to the
opportunity to see a bit more of the country - it's all too easy to think
there is nothing outside of Observatory where the Lodge is!
Catherine
At the end of her
placement:
What experience do you
feel you are gaining? Experience of South Africa -
the politics, the people and the culture in general. Also experience of the
magazine industry, of a social NGO and of the socially responsible side of
business out here.
So far what is the best
thing about your placement? The weather! I'm loving the
fact that most Britons are currently shivering and I've been at the beach
most weekends. And of course all the many wonderful people that are keeping
me occupied with braais, sightseeing trips and extreme sports.
What type of person do you
think this placement would suit?
Someone with
a degree of experience in journalism who is competent enough to work on
their own initative, able to adapt quickly to new environments and very
outgoing.
Can you describe a typical
day? (e.g Start time, morning duties, lunch hours, afternoon duties, any
other duties.... )
Work begins
around 9:30 and, depending on how close it is to deadline, reporters will
work on their own stories (assigned to them at the editorial meeting at the
beginning of each edition), perhaps proofread and make a few necessary
calls. Workers can take an hour for lunch and in the afternoon it's back to
completing features/ news articles and helping other members of staff.
Please use
this space to note down your any general comments on your placement that you
think may be relevant. This will help us to maintain the standard of our
placements or make any improvements which become apparent from your input.
I'd advise
people not to expect a high pressure working environment but a relaxed,
small and friendly office - it is ideal for those taking a break from study
or easing into the industry but knowledge of journalism is preferable so
that you can be of use to the magazine. It's a cliché of course but you do
get out of this what you put in.
ANDREW McGLASHAN -
on his Journalism placement at the Cape Argus Sports Desk, Cape
Town. This is his feedback (below)
Andrew McGlashan
1) What
experience do you feel you gained?This placement has been invaluable as far as
my future career is concerned. I came out with some background in sports
journalism but wanted to expand my horizons and that is exactly what I've
been able to do.
The confidence is a major factor, seeing
the sports desk asking you for work and knowing that they think you are
good enough. The fact I've been able to sub the newspaper too will boost
my CV. I have also been able to develop my writing style through features
and opinion pieces and have made some brilliant contacts and most
importantly good friends.
2)
What was the best thing about your placement?The space that I have been given in the
paper. The advantage of being here over the festive period is that they
were understaffed for a time and they gave me extra responsibility. The
ultimate experience for me was reporting
from the Newland's test match between South Africa and
England for five days.
3)
Would you recommend this placement to anyone else?Without doubt, but you need to be willing to work to
get the most out of the
placement and show you initiative when it comes to finding
stories.
4)
What type of person do you think this placement would suit?As far as the sports department goes, someone
with a passion for sports who can quickly fit in to new surroundings as
you get the most out if it by
hitting the ground running. I think it is probably best
suited to someone after university when they have had a few 'life'
experiences.
5)
Can you think of any improvements that could be made to the placement?Not as far as the sports department at the
Argus goes - they have been brilliant. The other arrangements have worked
well. The accommodation was
ideal for me because I came out wanting the concentrate on
the work side and not so much on the 'tourist' and travel elements but I
think for a gap year Traveller the Berghiem is perhaps a bit quiet. That
is not a complaint from me, just a general observation.
6)
Can you describe a typical day?(e.g Start time, morning duties, lunch hours, afternoon duties, any
other duties…. ) When I did subbing
shifts on the first edition of the paper I would be in at 6am, sort the
stories and see what the editor wanted in the paper that day. Then the
next two hours would be spent writing, subbing and putting the pages
together for the 8.30 deadline. Then a coffee break (much needed!).
Second edition goes at about 12noon so if
stories need updating (ie live test scores) that is done and keep checking
the wires for any new stories. Also may start the next days paper. After
second edition gone grab some lunch then work on stories for the next day,
which may involve going out or in the office. Usually leave about 2.30pm.
If you start later, something like 8.30 you stay till about 4 or whenever
your work is done. Times have to flexible, it's the nature of the job.
They won't MAKE you do early shifts but I made myself available and gained
so much experience from it.
If I was covering a sports event I
probably wouldn't come into the office first. For example, during the test
match I got to the ground about 9.30, play ended about 6pm then I did the
press conference then came back to the office to do my copy for the next
day. Often left office about 9pm, but that would only happen around test
matches or other sporting events.
8)
Please use this space to note down your any general comments on your
placement that you think may be relevant. This will help us to maintain
the standard of our placements or make any improvements which become
apparent from your input. The Argus have
been wonderful and after taking a week to settle in I feel I could live
here! On arriving in Cape Town it can take a while to get used to your
surrounds, some of the things you see are not what you are used to. But
the office was great with advice and Roger was always on the end of the
phone and is very helpful.
.
+44 01903 502595
