Meet the student

Chris Hogg, Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism 2010-11

I first heard about the NCTJ Print Journalism course at Glyndŵr University during a period of work placement at The Chester Leader in the summer of 2010.

I had just graduated from Durham University with a degree in English Literature and I had always been keen on pursuing a career in journalism.

Whilst completing periods of work experience I had heard that two things were important in following a career in journalism: plenty of practical work experience and the NCTJ preliminary certificate. After doing some research I found the course in Print Journalism at Glyndwr University, which offered both the NCTJ certificate and a guaranteed two days a week of work experience at NWN Media.

After successfully applying for the course I found myself back in the newsroom of The Chester Leader where I could develop my academic learning alongside a practical introduction to journalism.

Not only did this combination help my academic learning, in modules of media law, public affairs and practical news writing skills, it also gave me the foot in the door I needed.

After several months of work experience I was taken on by The North Wales Chronicle, which is also owned by NWN Media. I am now working as a reporter for the Chronicle and the course at Glyndŵr University has been essential in cementing this transition into employment in the field of journalism.