Whether you're interested in a career in media, wish to expand your skills beyond your degree or just want to try something new, student media like The Courier offers invaluable opportunities for all Newcastle University students.
The Courier is Newcastle University's award-winning student newspaper. Founded in 1948, it continues to be written and produced entirely by students. They have fourteen different sections of their newspaper and you can write as much or as little as you like for each one. From film or album reviews to political commentary, restaurant or beauty reviews to interviews with esteemed guests or even rigorous investigative journalism, there truly is something for everyone. Don’t like writing? You can sign up to their weekly newsletter here, follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or join as an illustrator, cartoonist or even a photographer too!Whatever stage in your University experience, here are just five reasons to get involved in your student paper.
Why should you get involved?
1. Gain Valuable Experience
As a sub-editor, you will get trained on how to use professional software such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign which you will operate on a weekly basis. Using these programmes, you will "lay up" the paper, edit and get creative with photographs and overall gain invaluable skills which are required in many creative fields and industries.
“We’ve had to rewrite the cover story the day before it was due to go to print, and stay in the office until the small hours of the morning. Sometimes we go outside. The people in the office see you when you’re tired, irritable and at your very worst. When you work with them, you’re also getting to see each other at your best.”
Joe Molander, Head of Current Affairs at The Courier.
2. Career Prospects
Most people join The Courier because it appears to be a fun thing to do (which is very much is!) but many leave having discovered something they want to do for the rest of their lives. Past editors and contributors have gone on to a plethora of careers in media including full-time freelance journalists, copywriters, reviewers, broadcasters, interviewers, columnists and graphic designers.
Many of these Courier alumni work in prestigious national media companies like the BBC, the Guardian, The Independent and beyond. Having an award winning publication like The Courier on your CV will make you stand out and demonstrate your experience.
“Before joining The Courier, I had no idea that I wanted to be a journalist. The Courier helped me define my career prospects, gain work experience at a range of magazines and newspapers and learn valuable skills which helped me secure my current role as a magazine journalist.”
Susanne Norris, Consumer Writer at Hearst Magazines & Courier Alumni.
“Writing for The Courier really gave me the confidence boost I needed to go into journalism. The Courier exposed me to aspects of journalism I had never considered before and gave me the opportunity to begin pitching my own ideas. Each and every editor made me feel welcome and supported my writing, always eager to give me feedback. Without The Courier, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Madeleine Raine, Co-Founder, Lifestyle Editor and Social Media Coordinator of Empoword Journalism. & Courier Alumni.
"The Courier is something that followed me throughout my academic journey at Newcastle University and I would recommend it to anyone. From a weekly contributor to a Beauty Sub-editor in my final year, it has granted me excellent copywriting experience, software skills and media knowledge which are invaluable to my current employment. It was also a great form of escapism from my studies!"
Laura Buckle, Digital Marketing Assistant (Social Media) at Newcastle University, Contributor at Empoword Journalism & Courier Alumni.
3. Get to see your work in print
Did you know that in non-Covid times, there are over 1500 copies of The Courier newspaper printed and distributed every week? Online, The Courier's website also receives almost 4000 views a day which means between print and online, your work has the potential to reach a wide variety of readers.
Having hard copies of published work in an award-winning newspaper can really help you stand out to employers too so make sure to collect newspapers you feature in and add them to your portfolio. You will also have your own unique author page on the website meaning if you can't get onto campus (like currently in Covid-19 times), your work will still be hosted online in one place. Whether you want to show off to your friends, family or even an employer, it's an easy way to display your range of writing. Plus, it's such a rewarding feeling seeing your hard work hot off the press in print and online!
"Working on the Courier gives me invaluable experience in science writing, software skills, communication, and teamwork that complements what I'm learning in my Chemistry course. It's exciting to publish currently-relevant articles for a large, dedicated audience after writing for years in my spare time. Plus everyone on the team is great and it's great to see all our hard work pay off when we finish an issue!”
Elizabeth, Science Sub-editor at The Courier.
4. Explore other branches of student media
The Courier is one of three branches of student media here at Newcastle University alongside NSR (Newcastle Student Radio) and NUTV (Newcastle University TV). Getting started with The Courier can be a gateway to exploring other ways of getting creative and producing media outside of your university timetable. You could start a podcast with NSR and gain access to professional equipment and radio studios or even broadcast yourself with NUTV and learn how to use camera equipment and professional editing software. Whilst adding to your CV and exploring career possibilities, you can also have tonnes of fun doing it!
“I joined NSR on my first year of university and started working on the news team. Being able to work as a producer and hearing Julia and Dermot carry out interviews was great for me to get a bit of confidence and an idea of how things worked in the radio. It was great going to events and learning from experts too, and thanks to that and went to be the News Exec the next year, and the confidence I got from speaking in English helped me join the Courier and start writing, which I love doing!”
Alex Gervas, Courier News Sub-editor, previous Head of News at NSR and camera operator for NUTV.
5. Meet a bunch of creative, likeminded people
The Courier office becomes a kind of second home on campus. You can pop in to crack on with a bit of work and to have a chat with fellow writers and editors or you may stay there until silly hours labouring over a piece of work - we've all been there! It's not all work and no play however, there is lots of tea, a quote board, plenty of office socials and a constant buzz from being surrounded by people who truly love what they do.
'At first, The Courier just started off as somewhere to get writing experience, but soon turned into something much more... I met and worked with many great people along the way, and I think that’s what’s really special about The Courier, the people, who all share the same drive and passion for the paper and work hard to make it great. My time at The Courier helped me realise what career path I want to take in the future and was definitely one of the best parts of my university experience.'
Nimra Rafique, MA Media and PR Graduate from Newcastle University & Courier Alumni.
“Joining the Courier has been about so much more than just incredibly valuable experience for my future career. Since joining, I’ve made the most amazing friendships and made so many memories. It’s been such an important part of my university experience, and I’ll treasure it forever!”
Ellie, Head of Life and Style at The Courier.
How to get involved
Follow the links below to discover The Courier online:
@CourierOnline Instagram
