Multimedia Journalism student teams up with GCU Student Life
A student is getting the chance to gain an insight into her profession through a work experience opportunity with the GCU Student Life team.
Olivia Bowen, who’s in the final year of her BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism degree, reached out to GCU’s Student Communications team and will now work alongside them on campus once a week.
We caught up with Olivia to find out more about her journey and to hear why she wanted to get involved with the team.
Tell us a bit about your interest in Journalism and how you found yourself at GCU?
“I actually started studying at GCU through Clearing. I decided on results day that I didn’t want to study what I originally applied to do (English & Film).
“I’d always had an interest in journalism and had been in newspapers a couple of times when I was younger, so I just decided to look into it on results day. Thankfully, there were places and I got to do the entrance interview – that’s how I’ve ended up here. I’ve now made it to fourth year, so it was definitely the right choice.”
What have you enjoyed about the course?
“There are so many different parts to it. It’s not just sit down, write something and then you’re done. I’ve had the chance to write but I’ve also been given an insight into television, radio and social media. There’s always something a bit different.
“I’ve found the News Days have really helped prepare me for what it’s actually like in a newsroom. I particularly like the fact it gives me the chance to be creative - there are no strict rules around what we actually focus on. It’s really helpful because my other classes give me the chance to have the background understanding and the News Days allow me to experience the more practical element.”
Why did you want to get involved with GCU Student Life?
“I’ve benefitted from the GCU Student Life Instagram page because it gives me so much information as a student. I decided to email the team for some work experience because I really didn’t have anything to lose. I’m just glad they said yes.
“I obviously get a lot of information from the GCU Student Life page and I felt it would just make sense for me to contribute to something that’s benefitted me. I want to help other students in the same way it’s helped me.”
How do you think this experience will benefit you in the future?
“I think it’s really important that I have real-life experience of my profession. The classes on my course are great, but it’s only through getting actual work experience that I’m going to figure out how everything actually is in the real world. It’ll allow me to see what a more professional standard is like, and I’m really excited to see how it all operates.”
Quick-fire questions
1) Do you prefer making videos or writing articles?
“Writing an article. I’ve always been better at it and just feel more comfortable.”
2) Tea or Coffee?
“Coffee. I’ve never actually had a cup of tea in my life, so I actually don’t know what it tastes like!” *insert audible gasps from everyone in the office*
3) Instagram or Tik-Tok?
“Instagram.”
4) Crisps or Chocolate?
“Crisps. Original hula-hoops are my favourite.”
5) Glasgow or Edinburgh?
“Glasgow.”
6) Favourite spot on campus?
“I actually really like just outside of the Sir Alex Ferguson Library where there’s the wee circle tables. It’s my go-to spot during lunch.”
Find out more about GCU’s BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism programme here