Katie Wood

Communications Officer, Royal Free Hospital

BA Journalism and Communications with Creative and Media Writing

What made you choose Middlesex University?

The vast range of media courses and the interesting mix of modules available.

What course did you study?

BA Journalism and Communications with Creative and Media Writing.

What attracted you to your course and made you apply? 

I knew I wanted to do a media degree but I wanted to do a mixture of practical and theory and a lot of other courses were one or the other. The course at Middlesex seemed to have a nice combination.

What aspects of your course did you enjoy most?

I very much enjoyed my minor in creative writing and found the choice of modules really fun.

What is your fondest memory of life at Middlesex?

Middlesex had a really great student environment. I was part of the football team during my time there and that was a great way to meet people on other courses.

What one piece of advice would you give to a prospective student interested in studying at Middlesex?

Find out as much as possible about the course before you start to make sure you are really interested in what you are going to spend the next three years of your life learning!

How did your course and time at Middlesex help you to get where you are professionally today?

I wouldn't have got either of my post university jobs without my degree. Nearly every job requires a degree now and showing examples of work from my time at University helped secure me work experience.

What made you choose the industry you work in and what are its pros and cons?

I wanted to work in the media from a young age. From my experience so far, working in media means hard work, long hours and not always very good pay. People often think it is glamorous, when sometimes it is far from it. Whilst working at national radio station talkSPORT in a live newsroom I got to experience the buzz of breaking news which is really exciting and something that cannot be created anywhere else.

How did you get your foot on the career ladder post university?

I sent my CV into talkSPORT radio and luckily got a call the next day as they needed someone to answer the phones. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. It was hard work answering and screening callers to be put on air but was a great learning experience and eventually I was producing my own national radio show at the station.

What has been your defining career break or highlight to date?

Being part of the production team at talkSPORT during the Olympic Games.

What does the future hold for you?

I've currently stepped out of the media directly and am trying life on the other side, working as a Communications Officer in a busy Press Office. It's interesting and yet very different. Many of my skills have transferred very well.

What are the top three career tips you would give to current students and recent graduates?

Get some work experience in the sector as soon as you can, it will be invaluable. Don't think about the money – get in and work your way up. Make contacts and get yourself out there, these are the people you can turn to after you graduate.

What one piece of advice would you give to the 17/18 year old you?

Embrace every moment at University and everything that comes with it – your time there will be some of the best years of your life!