As part of the Sky Young Journalists Awards 2008 five young journalists from Sky News describe different aspects of their career so far.
If you want to be a journalist, you can say goodbye to thoughts of a 9 to 5 life! I work for Sky News Radio, and am on overnight shifts this week, which means starting work at 9pm and finishing at around 6am.
There are some upsides to this though - now it's summer, you get the best of the day (if you're not asleep), and climbing into bed as everyone else is getting up is pretty satisfying!
On this shift I'm on my own for a large part of it. I do hourly network bulletins. I also write scripts, edit audio, and prepare and check all the following day's material, which is sent to our 80 plus client stations.
It's been a fairly busy week. Tuesday night saw the moving story of the US elections, where Barack Obama secured his position as the Democratic presidential nominee.
These are the best nights, because they go fast. Wednesday kept me on my toes because of some technical problems.
This meant I was on the phone to the engineers, trying to get them to fix the problem, which they did. It's now the early hours of Friday morning - the weekend starts at 6am! So I'll be off to bed for a long lie-in.
Sir et Madame
Journalists as you may well be aware come in many shapes and sizes, and at the best of times very unpredictable. One day you’ll find you are the best thing sliced bread, the next day, well sliced bread springs to mind.
Technology has provided this divine industry with tools never before utilised to their fullest, whilst broadcast news media such as Sky News Radio has moved on in leaps and bound many an ear to views and emerging theories at the blink of the eye whilst maintaining the beat of the inner drum.
As with every profession, the more you put in the better you get at it, whilst at the same time enjoy the wisdom of many a peer, with many no doubt leaving you with the thought, why did I bother?
Nonetheless, the highs of daily life far outreach the lows, and unlike your manic Tuesdays; I ensure technological elements are ship shape for such matters arising on Wednesdays knowing full well that no matter what, chaos is guaranteed.
I wish you every success in your quest as Sky’s Young Journalist of 2008 and congratulate you upon your association with the world’s best. [Lets Groove-Earth, Wind & Fire]
Posted by: Khalid 6 Jun 2008 10:49:23