The UoN Experience - Year One: A solid beginning

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

As the second anniversary approaches which signalled the end of my education life and the finale to my journalism degree at the University of Northampton, I have decided to share my own personal experiences from my three years at UoN. This includes a look at some of the nightlife memories, a critical assessment of the video products I produced and my insight into each of the three years I had in what was my second home.

First up and it is rewind to 2009-10, a time where political powers changed in this country, another World Cup failure approached for England’s footballers and for me, the start of a new journey at University for myself, one which blossomed to begin with.

The time had come. It was Saturday, 19 September 2009 and to many, it was the beginning of a normal weekend. Not for me though, as I was about to start my journalism degree at the University of Northampton. All bags packed, documents ready to be shown and the car journey from my hometown of Milton Keynes to my new home was about to take place.

Before I left, I took one final look around my room at home. The part-time retail job I had at the time meant I would be back every weekend so I wasn’t leaving for good. However I wouldn’t be at home as regularly as I used to be. I got a photograph out taken of the family at a happy time for us just eight months earlier. We were beaming with smiles at such a fantastic day. I admit it was tough to not feel emotional at this moment.

I made the most of my new surroundings in first year accommodation

Enrolment day itself was long but that was to be expected. Once all that was done at Park Campus, it was off to Avenue Campus and the Bassett Lowke Halls of Residence. This was where I would be staying at University in my first year. I still remember my room very well – Room 1 in Flat 35 (pictured above). It had a self-contained kitchen and small bathroom. It was very cosy and useful for me in my first year. That did mean sharing with a roommate and he was good company to start with. By the end of January 2010, he was gone though as he moved back to his parents’ home in Northampton. He was staying over there a lot and decided the money he was paying to stay on campus wasn’t worth it. It was probably the right decision and it gave me a big room to myself for the next five months!

The other flatmates I was with were all very cool and we socialised well from an early stage. At the end of the day, we were all in the same position of moving away from home and it was more important to do this than be locked away and look like a loner. I enjoyed their company and made some good friends, some who I am still in touch with today.

Hello to the course colleagues

Two days after moving was the introduction to the course colleagues I would be getting accustomed to for the next three years. There were some interesting characters but no heavy troublemakers which was good. I remember the introduction to one of my fellow colleagues, Farida in a striking Coventry City home kit. Farida would provide plenty of entertainment and kind friendship over the course of the next three years.

However the individual I spent the most amount of time in first year would turn out to be another close friend throughout the University journey. My friendship with Ellie was formed from day one, when I introduced myself to her during some tedious afternoon PowerPoint presentation in the main hall. At first, Ellie’s look was like ‘yes, do I know you?’ At that point, I reminded her of a brief conversation we’d had a week earlier on Facebook when she had taken the time to find someone studying on the course. And from that moment on, a special bond was created. We were almost inseparable in first year, helping each other through the various challenges. Ellie would often need guidance in lectures from me and she returned the favour by helping me out with some tricky real life situations. The best moment of our friendship I think came when a short conversation about something to do with living arrangements in second year on social media turned into a long two-hour chat with compliments aplenty on both sides. It is one of those chats with someone you don’t forget.

I generally found the workload in first year fairly comfortable to deal with and never hit drastic issues in terms of assignments piling up and deadlines mounting. Of course, there were moments where tasks were tough to do – one of them involved a Media Relations project within the first two months which was the first time where I really struggled to get the required tasks done. This was largely because I couldn’t get the contact required to get an interview done about their PR department. It was a weak spot in my college days and although I would say it still isn’t one of the better skills in my media background, it is something I have managed to adapt pretty well through Uni and now into my full-time role in the publishing industry.

Favourite tasks

Favourite tasks in the first year included a radio vox-pop piece on Petrol Prices going up in the build-up to the 2010 General Election. I’m not a fan of politics but can easily criticise policies. I came up with various answers like ‘Anything is possible’ and ‘We’re in a mess, simple as that really’ in regards to the worldwide global recession. One of the best people to interview was a guy called Miles who when he was asked about paying at the pumps, his first response was ‘As a hippy at heart!’ It was a random response but a light-hearted approach to a tough debated issue. I also undertook a marketing module called The Entertainment Business. I really enjoyed that module, despite being the only single honours journalism student to choose it! It involved a detailed report into the 2010 BRIT Awards – and I spent loads of time on this to get the best grade possible. It was a shame I wasn’t able to carry on with a marketing module in second year. That was because all journalism students were made to take Creative Writing. I never enjoyed it, never saw the benefits to it and was annoyed that this had to be done too in second year (unless you were good at photography which was the only other option).

I found the right balance to studying and the nightlife scene and as the year wore on, you would find me more often in the nearby SU enjoying a drink and a few games of pool with my flatmates rather than hitting the town on a boozy night out. My nightlife outlook changed before coming to Uni but it was something I was happy with.

First year ended in the final week of May with an exam. These were never my strong points, as GCSE results would testify but I achieved a respectable grade. I did spend many hours revising but with a better, more serious technique to it – I could have achieved a stronger result. First year also introduced me to the world of Twitter as I signed up after ignoring the site at Milton Keynes College and I began my first full blogging website on BlogSpot that eventually lasted a full 18 months.

First year at the University of Northampton wasn’t a piece of cake but I passed with the minimum of fuss and felt happy with the fairly secure introduction to the degree. However, if I thought second year would be the same, I would have another thing coming.

Categories: Avenue Campus, Bassett Lowke, Degree, Home, Journalism, Marketing, PR, September, University, University of Northampton

One year on from University - A frustrating 12 months

By Simon Wright

It is staggering to think that I did a dissertation 12 months ago

Today marked the first anniversary of the end of my journalism degree at the University of Northampton.  Time has flown by over the past year, and I won’t lie – the first 12 months since finishing my education have been a frustrating experience.  

Rewind a year, and everything felt so different.  At exactly this time last year, I was around a friend’s house in Northampton having some pre-drinks before heading into town for a final night out to celebrate the end of three years hard work.  Now, as I sit here writing this piece – I do wonder whether putting myself through the University experience was actually worth it.

Rewind to last year

Rewind to 2012 and things were changing fast for me.  I had just handed in my notice to the retail company I had worked for due to not being able to get the local transfer I had been banking on, and the UoN experience was coming very fast towards its final conclusion.

The final few weeks of the course felt strange.  The relaxed approach I was able to adopt in the closing stages of second year wasn’t quite there.  Although my control in assignment deadlines was most definitely still around, the individual in me was working hard to the finish, but looking into an uncertain future.  What would happen once the final assignment was due?  Would I stay in touch with people?  Could I make the full-time media breakthrough I was hoping to achieve? 

When I handed the final piece in, which was all the paperwork and the DVD disc for my TV project (see embedded video), the feeling was one of delight that I had overcome my biggest challenge in conquering University but also a sense of sadness.  It was all over, and all I could do now was wait and hope my hard efforts would be enough to get the results I felt I deserved.

Before that, there was one final journalism night out in town.  We had gone out as a group twice in the final two weeks of second year, but in third year – this hadn’t happened, due to various workloads and friendship groups that either continued to develop or even disintegrate.

The night itself was memorable.  I had a very good time dancing and drinking into the early hours of the next day.  At the end of the day, if you can’t enjoy yourself at this point, you simply won’t enjoy yourself at all in life. 

The aftermath

That evening saw me largely say a final goodbye to the people who I had seen and been with day in, day out for the past three years.  There was the Silverstone Grad Ball, the graduation day itself in July and a couple of personal goodbyes in the weeks to come, but as a group, it was a fitting farewell. 

I always maintain that the group of journalists at the University of Northampton that started with me in 2009 were hungry to succeed in their future careers.  Some had better strengths than others, there were occasional flaws, mental breakdowns, moments of individual doubt but I can generally say I got on with the majority and built up some very close friendships along the way.

Since then, the dreaded ‘distance’ element has got in the way.  Some have drifted out to no contact, but I guess with time, your presence on their lives is simply not needed.  However, I still attempt to keep contact as much as I can (when I have a reliable smartphone that is), and the memories are mainly good.  Even the bad memories, such as the dark periods I had are still remembered.  I guess my memory bank is pretty full for the inevitable autobiography in around two decades times then!

I can honestly say that I’m proud of everyone that graduated, whether that was last July or in February 2013, and a good portion of course buddies have done very well for themselves.  From interning with major radio corporations, succeeding in the PR market with fashion and political departments, to freelancing for now until something more permanent crops up, I think everyone is in a stronger position than they were when arriving at UoN in 2009.

Well done to everyone, and also on this note, congratulations to those who have finished their journalism degrees this year at Northampton.  I hope you all get the results you deserve.

Too many false dawns

For myself, the University experience flew by and so has the past 12 months.  I will admit that I have achieved a lot since last May, but it has sadly brought too many false dawns, a growing sense of frustration and no luck in the full-time market, despite making over 200 job applications ranging from media and journalism, to admin, marketing and even library work.

Less than two weeks after my course finished, I was offered an internship with a football website, which was unpaid but gave me tremendous experience in the online world.  It allowed me to write about one of my main passions, and helped develop my skills as a deputy editor, sub-editor and features writer.  I was disappointed not to receive recognition in terms of payment, and the way things ended before Christmas last year was on a slightly sour note, considering all the hard work I put in.  Although I would change some aspects of how things turned out, I do admit that without this experience, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today.

I also tried online radio and talking to the world with a successful Formula One talk show, which began in the closing months of the 2012 season.  This venture ended amicably in January due to an advertising structure which had a high risk element, and was something that I felt was going to be too vulnerable to myself.  I have also written for a student media website, and now have strong freelance positions earning basic pay for another football site, and a strong fee writing holiday guides for a travel website that specialises in updating the weather of destinations across the world.

Kleeneze's business model came very close to getting ugly

The most frustrating experience was attempting to make a go of a business with Kleeneze, which began in February 2013.  I went into this with high hopes of getting an excellent income, and driving strong online sales together with the door-to-door sales in the nearby neighbourhood I live in Milton Keynes.  Eight weeks later, and I had to admit defeat and the business was shutdown, another victim of our recession that never seems to end.  

The online shop was non-existent in terms of profit, and weekly sales figures always came in at a similar total.  Even boosts of crafty leaflets created on InDesign, and new catalogues simply didn’t drive the money in.  All I can say is it was worth a go and it is more experience gained.

However, things ended very messy with the company themselves.  My ‘sponsor’ didn’t help me whatsoever and promised me things that simply never came off.  He was absolutely useless.  

Also, when I went to close everything down, Kleeneze insisted I should pay them another £90 for the next two months despite not doing anything for them!  I was absolutely furious, and although this matter has now been resolved after drawing up a letter of complaint, the situation could have got very ugly.  However, if anyone is thinking of starting a business with commission bonuses, don’t do it and I certainly do not recommend Kleeneze as a viable business structure. 

What will happen next?

Despite the hundreds of applications I have made, I have only been shortlisted for two interviews.  One was last month in Northampton, and one was in Lancaster in February.  I have updated, tweaked and restructured my approach to applying for various positions, and now have had three career meetings with the National Careers Service to see if I can make the breakthrough I am looking for.

Full-time work in media was always going to be hard, because of the competition levels in the sector, but I have to be honest, I really expected to have landed something by now.  I considered a postgraduate degree in January, but this route has been shut off due to not being able to get the required funding.  In recent weeks, I decided I will start writing a book during the summer and have also considered going abroad and maybe do some travelling for a year.  This is a backup plan, but should I be in the same position as autumn arrives in the UK, this will become a viable and probable option.

Do I regret going to University?  No, when I think of the friends I made and the valuable life experiences gained, but there is a small tinge of regret that things haven’t gone the way I hope they would have.  It shows that even a 2:1 degree is not easy to break those doors down to the job of your dreams.

The last 12 months have been tough, but I'm still smiling!

In summary, it is staggering how quickly a year has gone since I finished University.  As I come from the critical mould, I would say: “Trying hard, feel frustrated, but must not give up.”

Not yet anyway.  After all, I have a habit of being knocked back and getting up again to conquer the world of media.  The last 12 months have been frustrating, but I still have friends, family and my health to be thankful for, so it could be much worse.

Categories: 2012, Degree, DVD, Graduation, Journalism, Kleeneze, PR, Silverstone, TV, University of Northampton

A gamble that needs to be taken

With the Christmas festivities firmly behind us, I have had to make some big decisions over my short-term future, and this means taking a risk which I feel I need to make.

Saturday's trip to the Autosport show was a refreshing break

Since my freelancing contract went down the plughole with Total Football Magazine, I have felt a sense of worry and emptiness – wondering where the next break will come.  The decision of accepting only paid work might not be helping, but that is something I won’t change.

With the job market as it is today – it means I am now 95 per cent certain of making a return to studying later in the year. 

Total frustration

With a 2:1 degree from the University of Northampton, I really believed something would have turned up by now. 

I was aware of how difficult the job market is at the moment.  There were going to be rejections, and some applications would be sent off and you wouldn’t hear anything.  Media is a competitive industry, so the days of walking into a position a decade ago are now a thing of the past.

However, having done over 100 applications in the last 12 months, at least 85 of those were media/admin based, I have become increasingly disillusioned.  I haven’t had a single interview for a media position and despite even attempting to get some income in a retail position – my qualifications rule me out of anything here. 

This means other alternatives had to be explored.  Since the middle of November, the possibility of returning to studying has been in the back of my mind, and the general insecurities I was feeling has seen this thought only get stronger during December and into January.

I think my qualifications aren’t good enough, because I have tried everything else – apart from possessive nagging, and that is not going to win you a job.

So it was time to get a plan into gear for the future.

Taking a step back

Last week, I drew up a shortlist of 10 possible courses and spent the day researching information about them, along with case studies, module guides and the type of qualification I need.

In media, if you don’t have an NCTJ accredited qualification, you are fighting a losing battle.  The only way I can do this is by doing one.  Typically, my undergraduate University course was not NCTJ accredited – one of only four I think in the entire country!

The choice has been narrowed done to three - a sports journalism MA in Sheffield, a fast-track NCTJ in Brighton or a sports PR one-year degree in Manchester.  All three have really interested me, and I’m pleased to have already narrowed my options down so quickly.

I’m not going to lie.  When I finished my BA journalism degree at UoN in May last year, I thought my studying days were over, and I had no interest in taking an MA.  Now I realise that if I don’t, the chances of making a significant breakthrough in my career could be in ruins.

It is taking a step back, but could lead to two steps forwards.  I have also decided that should this avenue not work either, and I still can’t get into the paid media world in 2015 – I will leave the country and set-up base elsewhere in the world. 

Cyprus is a place I’d love to explore and I saw a possible future in Fuerteventura when I went on holiday there in August 2011 – possibly in the property ladder. 

Formulating a plan

Some will approach life with a hands-on approach, others just want to travel and some don’t care where they end up.  At the end of the day, we all have different aims and targets.

My character means I need to be settled and have a plan for the future.  I really struggle with no stability and a lack of security.  The last six months have proved this clearly. 

Now that I have formulated a plan, I feel more relaxed and happier, knowing that I have something to aim for. 

I still need to investigate the funding requirements for a return to Uni.  It will be expensive and I’m going to need some handy financial support for this to work out.  Only when I do this research, and that will be very soon – will I definitely know that I will be going back to studying.

I haven’t quite given up on a full-time paid media position yet.  I will still apply until around May for positions of interest, in the hope that something turns up – and only one of the three courses I have on my shortlist requires a guaranteed deposit and effectively a lockdown. 

This will be a challenge for me, but in the words of racing driver Lewis Hamilton; “I don’t think in my whole life I’ve chosen the easy road, I’ve always generally gone down the hard road.”

I went to University in 2009, not 2007 because I wasn’t ready.  Two years at Milton Keynes College made me ready for that – so that was a harder route, but the right decision.

University at Northampton had its trials and tribulations and at times, I did my degree the hard way – but the results paid off with my final degree classification.  I don’t do easy.

And I believe that if you want to succeed in today’s world, then you have to either chase the dream or work really hard for it.  

Categories: Brighton, Character, Future, Media, Milton Keynes, NCTJ, PR, Security, Sheffield, University