The editor of a regional daily paper gave up the hot seat for a day to a journalism student after she won it during a charity auction.

20-year-old Sophie Ryley, a second-year Cardiff University undergraduate, won the editor’s chair at the South Wales Echo as part of an auction on a local radio station.

Her dad bid £250 for the prize as a birthday present for her, with the money going to charity Help a South Wales Child

And last week she got the chance to take Mike Hill’s seat as editor, helping him in planning the following day’s paper.

The opportunity has confirmed Sophie’s commitment to a career in journalism and she plans to go back for a week’s work experience in August.

Mike said: “Sophie did really well. She’s bright, keen and has ambitions to be a journalist so this was a great chance for her to find out what it’s really like to work in a newsroom and to see how the paper takes shape from page planning to printing.”

Sophie wrote an article about her day as editor, saying: “The day began with a conference, where we discussed which stories would be going into the following day’s paper.

“Mike and I approved the potential stories…then went out for lunch, in true editor’s style!

“The hard work really started during the afternoon. I was able to sit in meetings with Mike where I made sure I voiced my own opinions.

“From doing this I feel I really got the most out of my day, as well as displaying my passion for journalism.”

Comments

OLDsub (01/07/2010 16:38:03)
She should have taken full advantage of her role and given herself a full-time job when she graduates – a missed opportunity methinks!!!