journalism portfolio
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multimedia portfolio
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curriculum vitae
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academic work
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contacts and links

Curriculum Vitae

Born: 1974, Canterbury, Kent
Nationality: British


Employment

Reporter, Newsquest Sussex
I am currently a reporter for The Argus, the award-winning regional daily newspaper for East and West Sussex, based in Brighton.
May 2008 - present

Reporter, Newsquest Sussex
I was reporter for the Redhill Reigate Horley Life and the Mid Sussex Leader writing a range of news, updating the website as well as sourcing and taking photographs.
Jun 2006 - Apr 2008

Journalist, 24 Hour Museum
I worked as a staff reporter for this national arts and heritage website, researching and writing stories, sourcing and optimising images, proof reading and updating the site.
Sep 2005 – Apr 2006

Freelance writer/journalist
I researched and wrote content a range of websites and publications including www.icons.org.uk, www.bmag.org.uk, Visit Britain and Renaissance News.
Aug 2005 – Feb 2006

Renaissance student writer, 24 Hour Museum
As winner of the West Midlands 2005 bursary for the 24 Hour Museum website, I supplied news about arts and heritage issues in the West Midlands region.
Jan 2005 – Jul 2005

News subtitler, ITV Central News
I operated the subtitles on the news bulletins and pre-recorded programmes. I also worked for one month as a full-time news presenter for a staff training programme.
Oct 2004 – Jul 2005

Digitisation assistant, Media Content Lab
Working on the Birmingham City Council Creation Zone website, I assisted in the digitisation of images from rare books and helped populate the final website.
Oct 2003 – Mar 2004

Deputy editorial manager, Precise Media (media monitoring)
I assisted in the management of seven summary writers and wrote news summaries from the national, financial and trade press for business clients.
Mar 2002 – Aug 2002

Editorial manager, BMC-Clipserver (now Xtreme Information)
I managed the night-shift editorial team of eight summary writers at this web-based press monitoring agency.
May 2000 – Mar 2002

Press reader/summary writer, Durrants Press Cuttings Agency
As part of a team of media monitors, I read the national, trade and financial press and summarised relevant articles for business clients.
Apr 1999 – May 2000

Other experience
Kent & Sussex Courier, September 2004; Islington Gazette, September 2004; Daily Mirror (3am Magazine), June 2004; Birmingham Post, June 2004; Birmingham Evening Mail, December 2003; Sutton Coldfield Observer, April 2003.


Education

NCTJ Pre Entry Certificate (Newspaper Journalism)
City College Brighton and Hove, Brighton, East Sussex
September 2005 – June 2006

BA (Hons) Media & Communication (Journalism) (First class honours) University of Central England, Birmingham
September 2002 – June 2005

Teeline Shorthand
Sutton Coldfield College, West Midlands
October 2004 – June 2005

Desktop publishing (PageMaker, Photoshop, Quark Xpress and Freehand)
Dartford College, Kent
January – April 1997

BTEC HND Fine Art - Bookbinding and Printmaking
Croydon College, School of Art, Surrey
September 1994 – June 1996

National Diploma in Foundation Studies
Central Saint Martins School of Art, London
September 1993 – June 1994

BTEC 1st Diploma - Design
Canterbury College, Kent
September 1992 – June 1993

GCSEs & A Levels
A-Level – Art (C), History of Art (B)
GCSE – English (A), English Literature (C), Maths (C), Art & Design (A), French (D)


Other information

I am an enthusiastic and confident reporter and have a lot to offer in terms of digital and multimedia expertise.

While at university I studied television and radio and gained experience in sound and video editing and presenting. The primary focus of my degree was journalism but I took secondary modules in web design, multimedia and online journalism and recently topped-up my knowledge with an intermediate level course in web technology.

I also worked for a month as a news reader at ITV Central News for a staff training course.

I have a fast and accurate typing speed of around 55-60wpm and a shorthand speed of 100wpm. I have held a full, clean driving licence for 15 years.


References

Paul Bradshaw
Lecturer in Journalism and Multimedia
Department of Media & Communication
University of Central England
Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2SU

Jon Pratty
Editor
24 Hour Museum
5 Frederick Terrace, Frederick Place
Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AX

 
Islington Gazette front page
 
BBC Birmingham website
 
Sutton Coldfield Observer article
 
24 Hour Museum history trail