Day 7- Home coming and Pros & Cons of London Life

Once again I was lazy and caught the DLR over to Greenwich for my placement. I arrive early per usual but was complimented on being punctual, which I suppose is good.

Work was really good today, I started writing the articles for the section I'm editing and even got treated to a free bacon sandwich on behalf of the company, I wasn't hungry but I couldn't refuse it.

I had to phone up different press offices today which was really scary, I had to put on a phone voice and speak really slowly; if you know me, I don’t speak slow.

“Hello, James Jefferson calling from FE week regarding the press release you sent” was what I had to say on each call. Luckily all these press releases were good so I didn’t have to grill anything bad or secretive out on anyone.

I then had to write up articles, although some I couldn’t complete due to not having all the information I need; lots of offices were shut today due to the forthcoming bank holiday weekend. It got pretty stressful because they press deadline is next Tuesday and many businesses/ education institutes may still not be open.Due to this I had to type ‘back-up’ stories encase we couldn’t complete the intended ones. 

The newspaper/ magazine I’m working for is coming up to their 100^th edition so everyone around the office was all excited as they are working on the edition which is set to be a ‘special’ filled with surprises. I can’t tell you the plan due to it all being secretive; imagine if I got the blame for the secret being leaked.  Wouldn’t fancy the legal bill!

The hardest part today was writing the captions for the images to go along with the article, you have to name them specifically in order for them to be found and used with the selected article. You also have to include so much in a short caption and you're limited with characters.

The chief executive was in the office today (the person who owns the company) so everyone was on their best behaviour even though there was still all the swearing- (must be the norm for working in an office).

FE Week 99th Edition

As the paper went to print last night, we had a delivery of all the papers ready for them to be sent out. It was so strange seeing what was being worked on yesterday (mostly unfinished when I had left; I overheard the other workers saying they were in the office until gone 9:00 the night before, don't quite fancy that yet) to a completed final piece.

 Papers apparently only have a shelf life of less than 5 years, but I think they would be missed if they all went digital due to the novelty of holding them in your hands and reading it.

My name was featured in the paper as ‘guest editor’ which was a good feeling, even though I didn't actually contribute anything to this one.

We all left early today due to the bank holiday weekend and the majority of the journalists get Friday – Monday off but I still have to go in on Easter Monday. #InternLife

I rushed home from work and packed my things as I’m coming back to Devon this weekend, but returning again on Monday. In fact, I’m on the train now from London back to Newton Abbot as I type this, munching away on a bag of ‘M&S Fruit Sherbets’.

I had to complete the dreadful walk from where I'm staying to the local DLR station with all my bags and to make it even worst it was rush hour. The trains were packed and I had to squish in the corner trying to stand up and not fall. As the tube goes really fast, if you don’t hold on, you’re all over the place: I was all over the place.

I got confused on when I had to change lines so I ended up getting off a stop early and to my embarrassment everyone on the platform noticed as I got off the train then boarded the next train going to the exact same place. They must have thought I was mad, or a tourist (oh no).

When arriving at London Paddington, I still had 40 minutes to spare so just watched the interesting departure screens waiting for my train to flag up. I  then remembered I have to take two passport photos into work tomorrow (Debenhams Torquay) in order to receive my staff discount card, so I spotted a passport photo machine and dragged all my baggage over to it. Once sat comfortable in the machine (surrounded by people as the station was so busy) I realised it wouldn’t accept notes so that was one big fail. I had to get out without any photos. Once again #embarrassing

It was then time to board my train and here I am now.

I won't be blogging for the next two days am I’m back in Devon and got far too much to do and lots of people to see.  Also I have work tomorrow in Torquay which means no lie in for ‘James’.

I'll be back on Sunday evening after my trek back up to London, ready for a fresh week of work; I’m aiming not to take as much back with me, even though I'm staying for longer- not quite sure how I will figure that one out. Might have to cut down on my cosmetics- don't be silly.

Have a great weekend and happy Easter. (I wonder if I will have any chocolates eggs. Mum, you best take note!)

Pros of London life-

1. 1.       Amazing liberal city
2. 2.       Excellent cheap transport
3. 3.       It’s where everything is happening

Disadvantages of London life-

1. 1.       Tourists
2. 2.       Terrible skin (the pollution does me no favours)
3. 3.       Expensive living 

Day 6- Work Placement

07:00- my alarm went off. I could see the sun shining through the windows but had to drag myself out of bed (it was so cosy). I got up and just made it in time. 

When arriving at the offices I couldn't actually get in due to you needing a passkey. This was highly embarrassing once I realised, as I had been pushing the door for the last 5 minutes. I turned around to see all the passers by just staring at me as if I was trying to break in. Luckily I had the number of the office and rang it for them to let me in. 

The offices are an old converted house with a different office on each floor, the office for FE Week was on the 3rd floor with no lift. The room was office like but had all the features of the old house; the fireplace, high ceilings and huge windows. I was assigned to a desk and got asked to read all the papers (pretty simple). 

Next, I got taught how to use the system and explored that for an hour, then it was time to actually work. So being the intern I was given the job of checking all the press releases for the magazine and typing them up in a news list. All of the staff working for the magazine today were very busy as the magazine was going to press tonight (a day early) due to the bank holiday. I had over 100+ press releases to sift through but was constantly topped up with coffee- they made a comment on my coffee dosage and said usually the interns haven't hit the caffeine addiction yet, oops. 

A delivery woman came into the office and said she needed a few strong men to collect a parcel which was waiting in reception, immediately everyone looked at me...I had to break it to them that I wasn't strong. This was straight after them asking how I got to the office this morning and I told them I caught the DLR, even though it was within walking distant. They must think I'm so lazy. 

I then had lunch and took the worst decision ever by walking into the centre of Greenwich which was swamped by tourists, all walking slow and with me walking fast due not wanting to waste any of my lunch. They got in the way so much I decided to take a back route which thankfully did not get me lost. Returning back to office, once again I couldn't get in and the woman in reception thought I was a trespasser as she didn't recognise me from the morning, brilliant. 

I then continued to sift through all the press releases and completed a complete news list following next week's publication. I then had to go through and filter which stories would be used and any other information I needed on them. I also had to communicate with press offices in order to gain information further information, and if we needed a picture I would have to source the owner in order to gain the rights to use it. 

 As the day drew to a close all the other journalists and editor were getting frantic about getting all the stories in to meet the print deadline, luckily I had left before it got too flustered. I didn't get any pictures today due to there being nothing that I could photograph, apart from my desk, but the other staff probably would of given me funny looks. So here is just two pictures of me on the DLR- 

enjoying the rollercoaster experience

my view