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From Katie B…
I love Katie’s talk about perseverance below!! It’s inspired me to (in the words of Troy Bolton) get my head in the game this week on social media. We’ve been a bit quiet over on Instagram this week, I think that’s to do with me moving to a hybrid working approach at work.
We’ve got a new episode to go out this week too - which is super exciting! New week, new start! 👏🏼
From Katie W…
So I want to talk about perseverance. It was something my grandad told me to do when I first moved to Stirling and whenever I’m feeling frustrated, I now hear his voice in my head telling me to persevere. The past couple of weeks I’ve really been hitting my workload target. When I first started at Edinburgh Live I was so aware of how slow I was at writing, I would get really stressed and still only last month I was probably averaging around only 5 articles a day.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been reaching usually 7 pieces a day now. I remember being told about targets and I thought to myself I’ll never get there.
Just like my fave beauty YouTubers say - trust the process.
My colleagues kept reassuring me that it takes time to pick up writing speed and at the end of the day - they were right.
🚨 NEW EPISODE - LISTEN NOW 🚨
We have a lot of local journalism jobs on our jobs list and we cover a lot in this episode that might help you with your application and even in the interview.
Who to follow
Catriona Mactaggart- Freelance journo & writer from Glasgow
Abi Smillie- Reporter for Ayrshire Live
Naomi Gessesse- this isn’t a Twitter account but I strongly recommend you read their articles. I came across this fantastic piece on being black in the Gaelic community on Gal-Dem. Read it here.
Jack Dulhanty - freelance journalist based in Manchester and writes for Manchester Mill
NN reacts
Katie W: Not so light hearted, in fact, I have been seething all week at the Met Police’s response after the trial of Sarah Everard’s killer. Once again they put the responsibility on women. Do not tell women how to be safe - we know. It is engrained in us. Imagine - just imagine - if we change the narrative to - how to stop men attacking women - because we are so sick of it.
Katie B: Spark, the student radio station at the university I went to had a glow up!! The fantastic Radio 1 presenter (+ former spark presenter) officially opened it the other day 😁
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Yes Magazine are looking for pitches and leads for reported stories, essays and analyses that will explore personal approaches to activism, and simply, ways of being engaged in what is going on in our communities. Email spring2022@yesmagazine.org. Deadline is 22nd October.
FREELANCE: Matt Ortile from Catapult is wanting essays by immigrant writers about returning to the homeland in the pandemic - places that most feel like the homeland. See the pitch guide here.
FREELANCE: Women’s Media Centre are always keen to hear pitches but particularly interested in climate stories at the moment.
REMOTE: The Ferret is looking for a full time reporter. The Ferret is a not-for-profit media producing news, investigations, fact checks and more in the public interest. £31,200 salary. We also have a podcast episode with co-founder Ally Tibbitt so that would be useful to listen to if you’re applying. Listen here.
REMOTE: JournoResources are hiring two trainee reporters through the Kickstart scheme. You’ll get training in original reporting, social media and a £500 training budget. You can hear more about founder Jem and Journo Resources here.
ABERDEEN: DC Thomson wants a Live Reporter for its Press and Journal and Evening Express brands. Deadline is 6th October.
DUNDEE: Another DC Thomson one, they want a Democracy Live Reporter for their publications in Dundee and Angus. Closing date is 5th October.
GLASGOW/EDINBURGH: Edinburgh and Glasgow Live are looking for a trainee trends writer (it’s what our Katie W does). They want candidates with excellent storytelling techniques, superb social media skills and knowledge of SEO and Google Trends, as well as a deep understanding of how to make content engaging.
GLASGOW: STV are searching for a Social Media/Digital Content Producer. The role will also involve the delivery of their SEO strategy and the successful candidate will need a good understanding of search engines, content discovery and how to identify audience needs. To apply, send your CV + cover letter as one document to hr@stv.tv. Closing date is 7th October.
GLASGOW: DC Thompson are looking for a News Reporter for The Sunday Post. The successful candidate will be a self-starting senior reporter with experience at regional or national level. A driver’s licence is required. For more information about the position, email tknowles@sundaypost.com in confidence. Closing date is 22nd October.
NEWCASTLE: Global are hiring a station producer for their studios in Newcastle. You will take an active role in the co-ordination and administration of all relevant parts of programming and branded content activity, which will include the writing and production of scripts, promos, online and social media content.
NEWCASTLE: D6 Culture in Transit are hiring a communications producer. £25.5k pro rata (£15,300 per annum), 3 days a week (22.5 hrs), fixed-term until February 2025. Closing date is 25th October at 5pm.
GATESHEAD: Gateshead Council are looking for a communications and engagement officer. 12 months fixed term contract, £29,577 - £32,234. Closing date is 6th October.
YORK: BBC Introducing are hiring! They are looking for a team assistant to support Jericho Keys for 8 hours a week on BBC Introducing in York & North Yorkshire. To apply you must live in Yorkshire, have a love for new music (rap, dance, pop & beyond) and love going to gigs and open mics in your area. Send your CV to bbcintroducingnorthwest@bbc.co.uk before Monday 4th October.
LEEDS: Leeds+ Social are hiring a social videographer. £25-29k salary, dependent on experience. You’ll be a competent self-shooter, with experience filming on broadcast quality camera equipment, an advanced user of Adobe Creative Cloud, in particular Premiere Pro. Closing date is 7th October.
TEESSIDE: Teesside Live are hiring a content editor to join their newsroom. Closing date is 11th October.
SUNDERLAND: Creo Communications are hiring a creatives agency officer. £18,000 internship. Closing date is 10th October.
Good luck if you are applying!