Whitireia journalism student well prepared for digital role

Whitireia journalism student well prepared for digital role

Whitireia journalism student Francesca Jago has hit the ground running, securing a job with Fairfax ahead of her official graduation.

Francesca recently completed the National Diploma in Multi-media Journalism through Whitireia and has already been picked up by the Stuff news website for a digital-based role.

She was attracted to the Whitireia Journalism programme because of its practical emphasis but was convinced after a meeting with programme leader Bernie Whelan.

“Bernie was just so enthusiastic about the programme,” she said “and that made me even more excited about doing it.”

Francesca was introduced to Fairfax Group Digital Editor Mark Stevens when he came in to the school to speak to the Whitireia journalism class.

“Mark approached [Whitireia tutor] Sue Bergin following a group discussion with the class and told her I was the kind of person he was looking for – someone with a ‘digital mind’,” she said.

Stevens put her in touch with National Content Editor Kevin Norquay, who asked her to put together a couple of stories, including a video piece on Gallipoli, before putting her forward for the job with Stuff. Francesca said she thoroughly enjoyed the web editing component of her journalism studies at Whitireia and that this had helped her develop the skills to step into the role.

She noted that her work for Stuff is incredibly varied. “One day I’ll be working on travel, the next it might be lifestyle and entertainment, and the next I could be working on news from the regional mastheads. My responsibility really is to keep those webpages fresh and accurate.

“A big part of the job is also ensuring our stories are optimised for readers on both desktop and mobile devices, particularly in regards to adding multimedia content. In the digital age everything is about multimedia.”

Francesca won the Wellington City Council Best Journalist Award at this year’s programme prize-giving, and will graduate with the rest of her cohort on 8 July.

ENDS

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