Senior media leaders are helping the next generation of journalists gain vital experience thanks to an annual careers event organised by the University of Lancashire.
The University’s annual Careers Journalism and Media event (cJAM) saw around 100 students hear from some of the best in the business thanks to a series of keynote speeches about the Future Newsroom, and a Top Tips session from guests, many of whom are themselves graduates of the University of Lancashire long-established journalism degree courses.
They also had chance to pitch a story idea, or themselves, to win work placements and other opportunities with each of the 30 media leaders who attended, representing 28 organisations including the BBC, Sky, Newsquest, a variety of sports clubs and award-winning hyperlocal news site Blog Preston.
As employers, we benefit from well trained staff and if they can benefit from our experience, we can benefit by giving them placements, freelance work and even a full-time job.– Jonathan Morrell, Executive Producer at BBC Radio Cumbria
In total, they offered more than 90 opportunities to the students, ranging from work placements to mentoring to freelance work.
Jonathan Morrell, Executive Producer at BBC Radio Cumbria, said: “I think we need to support this as you are training the next generation of journalists. As employers, we benefit from well trained staff and if they can benefit from our experience, we can benefit by giving them placements, freelance work and even a full-time job.”
Third year sports journalism student Aimee Palmer secured placements with Sky Sports News, BBC Sport and production company Studio Lambert.
“I’m still in shock,” she said. “Pitching to industry leaders was so nerve racking and with it being my last cJAM I was very anxious about getting placements. On the lead up to cJAM my lecturers were brilliant at supporting us and helping calm nerves. At the end of the day, you’re pitching to people who just want what’s best for you and understanding this really helped.
I have dreamed of working for these companies all my life - Sky, BBC, Studio Lambert - younger me would be screaming!– Third year sports journalism student Aimee Palmer
“I have dreamed of working for these companies all my life - Sky, BBC, Studio Lambert - younger me would be screaming! Another great thing was seeing my friends and course mates get opportunities too. We all work extremely hard and to see it payoff is just amazing."
Second year news journalism student Alice Jones had four successful pitches, including placements with Sky News and BBC North West News. She said: “cJam is all about throwing yourself at the deep end, facing those fears and gaining experience, and this is exactly what I did.
"I was lucky that in my second year, I not only got four placements, but received one week at Sky News in London.
"I still have so much to learn, but this year’s careers event ultimately makes me extremely excited for my future in journalism.”
Having such well-known organisations in the room demonstrates the strength of our connections and the trust these leaders place in our graduates.– Course leader for the BA (Hons) Journalism degree Caroline Hawtin
The University of Lancashire launched cJAM more than a decade ago to make sure its journalism students graduate with not only the skills needed to break into the media industry, but also with the essential experience and contacts to make them stand out.
Course leader for the BA (Hons) Journalism degree Caroline Hawtin added: “Our cJAM event gives our students unparalleled access to some of the most respected names in the media industry, many of whom return year after year as part of their own recruitment pipelines. Having such well-known organisations in the room demonstrates the strength of our connections and the trust these leaders place in our graduates.
“Our students gain invaluable insights from leading professionals and the chance to pitch their ideas directly to decision-makers. This experience is transformative. It builds confidence, sharpens skills, and genuinely opens doors to careers in journalism.”
