How FFJ work experience led to a press trip to Spain
Our Journalism Work Experience and Mentorship Scheme is back
We are very excited to say that the next round of our Journalism Work Experience Initiative is now open. To learn more about unlimited opportunities for diverse remote work experience opportunities with our database of fantastic journalists keep reading.
But rather than just hearing from us, we thought we would hand this week’s newsletter over to Alex Cutts to share her story. Not only did Alex get some fantastic work experience from the scheme, she also ended up getting to travel to review bands at a music festival abroad.
There is more information about the scheme and a link to sign up at the end of the newsletter.
Being a newly graduated journalism student navigating their way around the world of work in the midst of a global pandemic was no easy feat. Workplaces weren’t hiring; they were making staff cuts and internships seemed practically non-existent.
I saw on Twitter that Freelancing For Journalists were hosting the second round of their Journalism Work Experience Initiative, and with it being both remote and partnered with journalists or companies that Emma or Lily had previously worked with, it was both practical and credible. It was just the thing I needed.
I signed up in October of 2021 and began the scheme in November. I put my name down to work with Chris Chaplow, founder of Andalucia.com. I have a great interest in travel writing, having previously completed work experience at The Telegraph Travel whilst studying at university, and I am also fascinated by Spain and Spanish culture after doing an Erasmus semester in Madrid as a student in 2019. Working with Andalucia.com seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand on my previous experience with travel writing as well as brushing up on my Spanish skills.
During my internship, I did research and wrote up content for the website. I learned, from Chris, the importance of sources for stories and questioning everything. Sources must be credible and mustn’t be accepted at face value. I also learned the importance of creating original content to stand out from the crowd and to be unique for readers.
I was supported by Chris via weekly phone calls where we would discuss each week’s task in detail, how it could be improved, and what new skill I would be learning the following week. Chris also introduced me to Andalucia.com’s contributing editor Fiona Watson. In a one-to-one phone call with Fiona, she shared her top tips on getting work published as a freelancer as well as where and how to pitch to publications, along with building up a portfolio. Fiona pointed out the importance of making contacts and networking; It's not what you know, it's who you know.
My internship with Andalucia.com ultimately led to a visit to the region in the South of Spain that I had been researching and writing about for the past nine months. I had the opportunity to report at a music festival called Andalucia Big. Together with Chris, we applied for press accreditation for the festival - another new learning curve for me. At the festival I got to experience what it was like to live report at an event. It was super fast paced and exciting. Back and forth between the stages and the press tent, updating the site as I went and reviewing the bands in real time.
My main takeaways from this entire experience were the importance of finding and questioning your sources, networking and connecting with the right people, but most importantly time management. Juggling freelance writing whilst working a full time job is an important skill to have, and can be very challenging at times. This opportunity gave me an insight into what life would be like as a freelancer and I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity.
If hearing from Alex has whetted your appetite for our Journalism Work Experience and Mentorship Scheme, here’s what you need to know. This will be the fifth round of the scheme. We limit spaces but each round gets access to about 50 journalists or organisations willing to offer remote placements or mentorship. The length and type of placement varies and can often be negotiated and there is a wide range of skills and specialisms among those offering to share their experience.
To access the scheme you can be based anywhere, with any experience level. You might like to read a previous newsletter on a journalist and student who took part here. All you need to do is sign up to our webinar on the 27th October where you will be briefed on how the scheme works and how to approach the opportunities on offer. Tickets are £10 which covers the administration costs of running the scheme but there are also bursary places so do get in touch if you have any questions. If you can’t make the live briefing, don’t worry! Register for the scheme and we will send you a recording of the briefing.
What else is new?
We have just revamped our four-week online course run in partnership with Journalism.co.uk. If you are new to freelance journalism or want to boost your success and want lots of feedback, support and guidance as you go, this may be just what you’re looking for. Kickstart your freelance journalism career is one of the most reasonably priced courses out there and previous attendees have achieved commissions on the back of pitches they worked with us on in the Guardian, Metro, Runners’ World and EuroNews to name but a few.
To find out more and grab your place for November, click the button below. We should stress this can all be done in your own time, assignments are voluntary and the course also now includes live Q&A sessions.
Upgrade for bonus content
If you subscribed to the premium version of this newsletter - first of all thank you and welcome on board - and secondly watch out this week for your bonus podcast episode all about finding shift work, plus a handy resource list. The first Ask us Anything session will be running next month so watch this space for more details.
Anyone else thinking well that sounds good, you can sign up below for just £40 for the year for all this extra career-boosting content!
Triumph of the week
You start a massive project and most of the people you need to speak to for it to work get back to you immediately.
That feeling when
Realising there was a couple of news stories I’d forgotten to invoice for months ago. Bit daft but also a bit like finding a tenner in your pocket!
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!
