| Personal details |
|---|
| Degree: | Film Studies and German |
|
| School(s): | School of Modern Languages, School of Philosophy, Anthropology & Film Studies |
| Year of Graduation: | Jun-2010 |
| LinkedIn: | |
| National of: | United Kingdom |
| Employment details |
|---|
| Organisation: | Ayr RFC |
| Job title: | Freelance Writer |
| Occupational Sector: | Journalism |
| What has been your route to getting your current position? |
|---|
| I began writing film and TV reviews for two small newspapers in the
south-west of Scotland, the Carrick Gazette and the Galloway Gazette, in
2008, shortly before starting my third year at St Andrews. I
approached the editor, looking for some summer work experience, but
ended up writing throughout the rest of my degree and for a year after
graduation. As well as filing over 100 reviews (including literary,
theatre and classical concerts), I also covered events such as the 2009
Open Championship at Turnberry and the inaugural Boswell Book Festival.
I am currently doing press and media for one of Scotland's best amateur
rugby clubs, Ayr RFC. |
| What does your job involve ? |
|---|
| Ayr RFC is an ambitious club with many international links, so I make
sure their website content is up-to-date. I attend home games and write
match reports, and try to provide relevent information for supporters,
sponsors and those who attend social functions at the club. I continue
to preview and review events such as the Royal Highland Show. I hope to
get back to film reviewing in the near future, and write fiction for
young adults. |
| What are the best bits of your job ? |
|---|
| Being a freelance writer means I can write about anything at all! I
have been able to indulge my passion for cinema and introduce a wide
rural readership to an even wider range of films and TV programmes. A
personal highlight was interviewing the actor Bill Paterson. |
| Why were you successful? |
|---|
| n/a |
| What skills/ knowledge from your degree have you found particularly helpful in this role? |
|---|
| I doubt I would have been given a start in journalism without the
knowledge I acquired from the Film Studies department. My written and
verbal communication skills greatly improved over the four years of my
degree. Film Studies encouraged the use of original ideas and
independent thought, as well as exposing me to hugely varied films,
directors and writers, and teaching me the significance of cinema and
the film industry to society. |
| What advice would you give to students wishing to follow the same path? |
|---|
| n/a |
