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Vicki reports on her dream job

Newsroom junior Vicki Mathias (right) gives an insight into what brought her to work at the Bristol Evening Post. Find out about her ambitions, and what makes her tick, as she starts out in the regional press industry.


My journalistic ambitions can be traced back a long way. When I was about six years old I took it upon myself to write my own family newspaper.

Now, 17 years later, I am a lot closer to realising my goal through my position as newsroom junior. I have progressed from crayons to my own computer and now get to see my work in print.

I cannot believe how lucky I have been to land this job. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it is all happening.

That is not to say that the position is a walk in the park. I know that I am very privileged to be in a post where I can get trained to achieve my dream role.

I am the fourth person to hold the newsroom junior position at the Post and it is refreshing to see my predecessors at work as reporters around me. It is motivating to know that one day that will also be me.

I have lived in the Bristol area all my life. A copy of the Post was always on the kitchen table at home when I was growing up, and still is.

I have always had a passion for writing and when I was young I was often found with a notebook in hand for the stories I would write.

Growing up I was torn between two careers. I was always going to be either an actress or a journalist, although it took me a while to come to a decision.

After my A-levels I began a degree in Drama and English at the University of the West of England.

While I enjoyed studying drama, being surrounded by people so certain their future was on the stage made me realise that it was not my burning ambition.

Once I had arrived at this decision I was able to focus on how to get a job in journalism.

The first step was for me to join the ranks of my student magazine and start writing.

I wrote a series of reviews for our monthly offering and still remember the buzz I got when I saw my first one in print.

The next step on my journalistic mission was to secure some work experience.

This was how I first came to the Post. I came in for a two-day placement in the newsroom and haven’t looked back since.

I didn’t know what to expect when I first walked through the doors last summer. The minute I entered the newsroom I could feel the energy. It was a little daunting at first.

I remember being shocked at how much time the reporters spent on the phone. I had imagined them to be rushing from job to job all day – how wrong I was. Time constraints mean that the majority of work is office-based, although there are times when a reporter needs to dash off for a story.

Once I had got over the initial shock and been sent to work on a small story I started to relax. By the end of the two days I felt completely at home.

I didn’t want to leave.

I came back for two weeks working in the features department where I got to experience the exciting world of lingerie, make-up and top chefs.

By this point I had decided that I would take a post-graduate diploma in journalism and was ready to embark on a further year out so that I could gain more work experience and earn the money I would need to fund my training. I spent weeks trying to find a related job with no success and took a call centre position selling insurance.

While flicking through the Post jobs pages one Wednesday, my attention was drawn to an advert for the newsroom junior position. The timing was perfect and I wasted no time putting together a 500-word piece about why I was right for the job.

I was so thrilled when I was invited for the first interview. In I went with my cuttings book proudly positioned under my arm.

When the second interview was arranged I didn’t want to get my hopes up. It was all over so quickly I didn’t believe I could possibly have made enough of an impression.

Finding out I had got the job several days before Christmas was the best present anyone could have given me. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to start. I was also determined from that moment to prove myself and make sure I got the most from the opportunity.

Now I am here, I’m really enthusiastic about the position. Having intended to spend so much money on putting myself through my training I realise how lucky I am to be here. When I have proved myself in my current position I will go to Hastings for my reporter’s training just like Claire, Ayesha and Niamh before me.

Ayesha Gilani is a particular inspiration to me as she was shortlisted for the national finals for the Local Newspaper Week reporting awards in 2002. This gave her the opportunity to meet Prince Charles at St James’ Palace.

She started as a newsroom junior in April 2002 and, having spent her three months at a training centre in Hastings, is now a reporter.

Being submerged in the newsroom environment has taught me so much already and I know I have picked up many skills from the great team around me.

I am lucky to be able be working on a trusted paper at the centre of my home city.


Vicki’s day can be subject to change at a moment’s notice as she doesn’t have a set routine, but here is an example of what she does:

7.30am-8.15am: Look through the first edition of the paper and pick three news stories and one sport story to send across to be used on the board by the podium in Broadmead. I write a headline and one sentence to be placed on the board.

8.15am: Discuss my story decisions with managing editor Rob Stokes.

8.30am: Take the bills, which advertise the paper at sales stands, down to the newspaper sales department.

8.45am: Newsdesk tea run.

9am: Make calls, check e-mails and diary.

9.30am: Discuss vox pop with assistant news editor, make a decision on subject and wording of question, check any relevant news stories.

10am: Make calls about stories for the At Your Service page, or about other work. Make sure wedding and birth announcements are sorted for the next few days.

10.30am-1pm: Vox pops, possibly visit the maternity hospital for birth announcements. Type up vox pop.

1pm-2.30pm: General bits and pieces, errands, researching stories, writing stories, dependent upon work load. If there are weddings on at register office wait outside for wedding announcements.

2.30pm-4.30pm: Go to Magistrates court to take down court lists. Go through the records and type them up.

4.30pm: Back to the newsroom to download courts and finish off any bits and pieces for the day.

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