My work experience with Catherine was nothing short of insightful.
Whilst I study journalism, I am still unsure on pursing it as a career and I was apprehensive about seeking placement. My degree means I am surrounded by big media outlets so coming to the Valley with Catherine really opened my eyes to a different type of journalism. Her close connection to the community and the relationships she has built with those in it is something I hope to mirror whether I decide to pursue journalism or not.
As it was a requirement to do placement as part of my course, I compared my experience with my peers’ where a lot of them went to the big corporations rather than freelance. I was shocked to learn that many of them were not happy with their time there. They felt they learnt too little and there were days they would simply sit and wait to be given a task. It was strange to come back from my five-day long placement having been all over the Valley, spoken to a whole range of people whilst my peers had not despite the reputation of the companies.
As I am from the Valley, Catherine went out of her way to get me back to the places and schools I went to as a child so I could nostalgically see how they have changed, this just totally topped my experience with her.
Looking back, I don’t understand how we managed to cram so much into just five days. I learnt how to use newspaper-building websites, how to structure print articles for different platforms, and we went to a different area each day. We enjoyed brews, we laughed and reminisced on the days I attended her newspaper club as a primary school pupil. Above all else, Catherine taught me the importance of taking time out to put work aside and get into nature. Fitting in a walk each day of placement is something I have continued to do since my time with her.
I enjoyed every minute of my time with Catherine, and I strongly believe it is the closest I could have been to being a real journalist. I could not recommend her enough.
Natalie Jeppesen