“Journalism is the most exciting job in the world”

By Jamie Nield-Siddall, bursary recipient 2011-2012
My heart was thumping. Was it nerves, or was it the adrenalin rushing through my body like my mid-morning coffee had been spiked with ecstasy?

Ten months ago I made this decision, now it’s time to see what I’m made of. “I’m not nervous, it’s part of the job,” I just kept telling myself over and over in my head.

No matter what happens I just couldn’t show emotion. I’m sat in the middle of a newsroom, with experience and confidence yet un-nerved by any situation.

The thing is, I can’t let this beat me. I’ve got high hopes, some might say I’m a real dreamer, but I’d say ambitious, and why not? Seventy six hours-a-week of hard work, grit and determination is my defence to knockback the word “dreamer”.

I’m clock watching, not because of the lack of work, believe me. Its deadline day, I’m snowed under. It’s because as soon as the clock strikes midday, I’m getting the briefing.

“If they’ll talk, we’ve got the splash, if not don’t worry,” they were the words of my chief reporter. Well now I’m worried.

If you haven’t guessed already, this was the day every trainee, without doubt, dreads: your first death knock.

Palms oozing with sweat, blocking the world out as you amble towards the front door- practising the opening line over and over in your head.

THEN BOOM!!! You’ve done it. It turns out your just as capable as the next man. Stone faced, you can claw back emotion as easy as flicking a switch.

A small sense of pride beams out of you, as you’ve landed the tribute, got the splash, and got one of the most difficult interviews you will ever face out of the way.

This is closely followed by a hint of empathy, just to reassure yourself that you’re still a caring member of society.

If I could describe the job in one word, it would be unpredictable. You just don’t know from one day to the next. For me, journalism is the most exciting job in the world.

If I could give any advice to a budding reporter, it would be to grab any opportunity that comes your way and cherish it like it’s a future ticket into a newsroom.

As long as you’ve got passion, belief, ambition and you are prepared to go that little bit extra, you will always stand out from the crowd.