From Magazine Journalism to Editor of Lancashire Life: Chantelle’s story

Chantelle Dietz always aspired to be a journalist, but after gaining work experience at her local newspaper, she realised that newspaper journalism wasn’t quite the right fit. It wasn’t until she started on our MA in Magazine Journalism that she discovered her true calling.

With a passion for writing, Chantelle was drawn to the creativity and in-depth storytelling that magazine journalism offered. Initially, she had plans to travel to Australia and New Zealand after completing her undergraduate degree but decided to pursue postgraduate study and stay in the UK, opting for a summer season in Spain instead.

Reflecting on her time at the University, Chantelle highlights the incredible support she received from her tutors, particularly Cathy Darby and Maggie Henshaw, who helped her to get ready for the working world and prepare her for job interviews. A work placement in London, which was part of one her modules, also gave her a taste of life and work in the city, inspiring her to return for work a few years later.

Before even graduating, Chantelle landed her first journalism job, an Editor at a rival publication to Lancashire Life. "It was a great first job, and I was able to use an issue as my final Master's project, but I had no real-world experience and knew that if I was ever going to be taken seriously as a journalist, I needed to earn my stripes." she said.

Chantelle joined Haymarket Media Group as a reporter, spending five years in the South before returning to the North West in 2013 to start a family. After freelancing while raising her two children, she took on the role of Editor at Property Hub Magazine, a specialist publication for property investors.

Now an experienced Editor, Chantelle transitioned to her current role at Lancashire Life Magazine. Her responsibilities include ensuring the magazine is filled with engaging content, maintaining its excellent reputation, and keeping it at the heart of the Lancashire community.

Looking back, she credits her time at the University of Central Lancashire for not only for shaping her career but also for introducing her to her husband, Andrew, who was also a student at the University when they met.

When asked what advice Chantelle has for aspiring journalists, she said: "Believe in yourself and never be afraid to knock on doors of opportunity. A career in journalism can be really rewarding, but it can also be extremely tough. My career has certainly had its ups and downs. To succeed you need to be resilient and – above all – passionate about what you choose to write about.”