Have you achieved everything you set out to do as Student Media Officer?
So I still have four months left and there are still things to be done. I’ve got the anniversary celebration coming up and the magazine. However, when you write your manifesto you write things based upon a number of things, including things that will get you elected and what is actually feasible. Yet, when you are eventually elected and understand the inner workings of NUSU, some of those manifesto points are no longer feasible. For example, the campus calendar that was on my original manifesto has been unattainable, but I still believe that we succeeded at engaging in what students are doing on campus. Therefore, while I have not achieved some of the more specific points, I have and will continue to achieve my overall aims.
In your manifesto for Student Media Officer you stressed the importance of inclusion in student media, do you believe you have made student media more accessible in your time in the role?
I do believe that I have made it more accessible. It reflects itself in the work that people are producing because they want to spend time in the office and they want to spend time with each other, therefore they put in more work in the Office and therefore the paper looks better.
Your most memorable experience so far?
It would be wrong of me to not say when I won the election but my most memorable experience has to be this year and the nice community and culture that I’ve fostered and created, and the part that everyone has played in creating that. But I’m also going to add a very specific part - the sex edition of The Courier and the fact that so many people were willing to get involved and talk about things and do things that they wouldn’t do otherwise. It made me feel very happy that people felt like they had that safe space.
What are the most important skills/ lessons you have learnt in your time as Student Media Officer?
When I was a volunteer the most important lessons I learnt were time management, as I was balancing a degree at the same time, as well becoming confident in Photoshop and InDesign. Likewise, when I was a Senior Editor I was able to improve my leadership skills; and as Student Media Officer I have been able to build upon those leadership skills but on a bigger scale as I am now leading a full team.
What advice would you give to those currently involved in student media and those wanting to get involved in Student media?
Just go for it! When I first started out I had never attended a student media afternoon and I actually emailed the Editor with my article pitch (even though I’d actually already written it) and it all happened from there. So just go for it; even if you have the smallest desire to be involved, just come do it. I will continue to say it - student media is the place to make mistakes and to practise your skills.
Student media is the place to make mistakes and to practise your skills.
Do you think holding the role of Student Media Officer has set you up better for future jobs in creative industries in comparison to say someone who holds other entry-level graduate jobs?
Firstly, being a Sabbatical officer has set me up in any industry whether it’s creative or not because I have the experience of being a Trustee and a director. However, in regards to my role as Editor of The Courier, it has set me up incredibly well in the creative industry as I have been able to still be creative in a leadership capacity.
What do you wish to be your legacy here at The Courier and the rest of Student Media?
By the time I leave, I hope that I have created a culture, and I believe that I have created this culture from the ground up, of healthy and happy vibes that will continue with whoever takes on the role in the summer and forever. And, I hope that every year they run a sex edition!
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
In five years' time, in whatever role I am in I would like to be in a position of leadership and management. And I would also like to be in a position where I can inspire and encourage other people in whatever career and industry they are in. Likewise, I would like to continue to work with students, as I believe students are continually undervalued and often get a bad rap but there are students out there who are doing amazing things. But in whatever role I’m in I would like to continue to inspire.
Learn how to write for The Courier's magazine with Meg on 2nd March in the History Room, Students' Union at 1 pm.
