Andrew Halley-Frame, 18, from Barrow is on a level three social and media journalism course at West Suffolk College. He is only four months into his programme but he has already secured paid employment in the industry he wants to eventually within. This is his story. Andrew said: “I used to run a news page on Instagram related to Bury Town FC. It got noticed by Cole Skuse (the Bury Town manager) and he said he liked what I was doing and so I was lucky enough to be given the chance to work with my local football team. Initially it was like an intern role - but eventually it has grown into a paid role. I now put one to two posts out in the week and also cover match days. I enjoy doing interviews after the game. It was initially something I struggled with - but it is a skill that I am getting better at. “By doing this (working for Bury Town) it is when I realised it (journalism) was an industry I wanted to get into. “I didn’t want to do A-levels, so I signed up to this course (social media and journalism) at West Suffolk College. “So far it has gone well. I’ve made lots of friends and it is very relevant to what I want to do in the future. So far, I created a media project on sustainability in football - and I’ve learnt lots about journalism, interviewing people, making documentaries and graphic design. “I’d say the college is laid back, but you have to work hard. In terms of future college projects, we will be working on the topic of diversity and I’m looking at how best to tackle this. It might well be football related. “When I finish here, I want to go to university. Me and my mates went to an open day at University Campus of Football Business (UFCB) and my aim might is to do a degree with them. And beyond that, I want to do as well as I can at Bury Town – make all of the socials and media content as brilliant as it can be - and then maybe look to move to a club in the football league or higher. “I guess my dream would be to work for the club I support (West Ham). (Although they are not doing so well at the minute). But I like what other clubs such as Stevenage are doing. They are creating some cool content – so maybe I can end up working for someone like them. “My advice to others about making the most of their time at college is that for me – at the beginning – I was more interested in the social aspect and that is fine. But you need to find the balance between being social and working hard. So, focus on what you have to do – if not - you can fall behind very quickly. “I’d also say more generally about the college that is a comfortable environment, it is relaxed, but you need to work hard and balance that with being social. Get the most out of your time here, the tutors are very supportive – they help you both in terms of you as a person and you as a student.” And finally – for all Bury Town fans – how are they going to do this year? “I think we are doing well so far – we went unbeaten in December – we won 3-0 against our local rivals (Sudbury) – and our aim is to keep improving. It’s a really positive environment and everyone wants to achieve good things.” For more information about the social media and journalism course – or indeed all courses at the college - you can visit www.easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

Lily McDermott, 17, from Needham Market is on the same course as Joseph. Lily said: “I love this course as every day is different. I don’t know if I’ll be taking pictures, editing, interviewing or writing. The media world changes all the time and so you have to react to what is happening. “We have had lots of media talks and it’s great to see how the skills we learn in class apply to what we will be doing in the future. “We have loads of advice from our tutors in terms of writing and how to be as a person. We’ve been taught to be nice, positive and to take every opportunity that comes our way. If the door is open, you go through the door as you never know where the door is going to lead. “After college I want to do an apprenticeship or go straight into work. I’m very much looking to put myself out there, network, get my work known and getting the chance to write for the Bury Free Press and get my work published will be great for my portfolio. “It’s not my first rodeo though in terms of the Bury Free Press. When I was younger I was on the front page of the paper as I got to cut the red ribbon and open a park in Stowmarket. “Long term, I’d love to work as a broadcast journalist or as an editor – on somewhere like The One Show – that would be a dream of mine. “My advice to other young people about making the most of their time at college is to never turn down an opportunity – even if you think it doesn’t apply to you – still go for it as you never know what might come of it. “I think that by coming here (to West Suffolk College) I can get the skills I need to get my dream job. So far, my time here has been amazing, adventurous, stressful and busy – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” For more information about media and journalism courses at West Suffolk College you can visit www.easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

My parents came to West Suffolk College and got jobs in the industries they love – now I want to do the same. Ruby Pawsey, 16, from Stradishall is studying on a level 3 social media and journalism course. Ruby said: “I always wanted to come to West Suffolk College. My mum studied business, and my dad was on a uniformed services course. (Both are now working in these respective industries). Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps by passing my course here and getting a job in an industry I love. “I picked the course because I like to ask people questions, and I want to be a reporter. I also like social media - so I wanted to do something that I really enjoy. “I’m just getting used to the college, but it’s been good so far. I feel like at school the teachers are on to you all of the time – but here (West Suffolk College) – it’s more relaxed. “I’m really looking forward to doing radio and podcasts on the course. My advice to people starting out at college is ‘just be you’ and focus on the future. “I think to be successful in the media you have to work hard, be determined and confident. “At the moment I’m interested in the cost-of-living crisis. Everything is so expensive. And I think the state of the world is not good at the moment. I’m really excited to be able to talk to other people and find out what they think about these subjects. “Ultimately, I want to be very successful and make the most of every opportunity. “If I had the chance to interview anyone in the world right now – it would be King Charles. I really want to know what is going on his head right now. Or David Attenborough – I’d like to ask him where he has been and what he has seen.

Joseph Bradley, 17, from Sudbury is on a journalism and social media course at West Suffolk College. “I was going to do A Levels but in the end I chose a vocational course and I’m enjoying it - and it has worked out well. “Last year I did lots of photography, working on a project based around art. I struggled to figure out what I was good at and by doing this photo-journalism project, I ended up being an artist through someone else’s work. “This year I’m going to be covering all aspects of media and I’d say to others in terms of getting the most out of your course is that you need to have a passion for the subject that you are covering – and once you do – explore that. “Long term I’d like to go to university, and then write political opinion pieces. I also like the idea of being an investigative journalist. “So far, my time here has been interesting and once you get used to the independent environment of college – where the responsibility is down to you – then you thrive.”

This week we ask some big questions to one of the students (Victor) and find out how he has been inspired some family members to seek a career in the media. This week we ask some big questions to one of the students (Victor) and find out how he has been inspired some family members to seek a career in the media. My Grandad was a TV journalist and now I want to follow in his footsteps Victor Matuszak, 16, from Thetford is studying on a level 3 social media and journalism course at West Suffolk College. How has life at college been? “It’s been pretty good at college so far. I’ve learnt a bit of editing – heard a few talks from people working in the media and got a feel for how the industry works - I’m really liking it.” What do you want to do in the future? “In terms of the future, I want to do presenting on TV where I interview or talk with people. I’m also interested in advertising. The interest has come from my family. In Poland, my grandad was a well-known journalist – he was on the news and he interviewed lots of well-known people in the 70’s and 80’s. And my aunt did lots of adverts for people like John Lewis. That has inspired me.” Why did you come to West Suffolk College? “I chose to come to West Suffolk College as it’s a good place – I read good things online and talked to people who have come here. It’s the best college in the area.” What does it take to be a success in the media? “I think if you want to be a success in the media you have to have some kind of individualism – and you need a personality. You look at journalists online and they have something unique. It might be something that they wear – or a catchphrase. I haven’t come up with a catchphrase just yet.” What are your hobbies? “In terms of my hobbies, I like to travel and the favourite place I’ve visited so far is New York. There is something nice about the people there and I enjoy just walking around – it’s just such a beautiful city. I also like football – my favourite team is Arsenal I think maybe this year we have got a chance of winning it (The Premier League). “I also like perfume and fragrances. There are lots of good websites where people write about scents and fragrances - and I like online influencers who do this - it has inspired me to look into it.” What is your dream? “My dream is to review perfumes and fragrances and give an overview of how I interpret them.” What advice do you have for others starting out on a course? “In terms of advice for others – I’d say try and open up - and try and enjoy yourself.” Who would you most like to interview right now and what would you ask them? “I’d like to interview Vladimir Putin and ask him what his motivation is.” For more information about this course and others – visit www.wsc.ac.uk

I want to be a pundit on the BBC Ethan Doyle, 16, is from Thetford. He is also studying on a level 3 media and journalism course at West Suffolk College. Ethan said: “My sister came here and it’s a really good college. I think it will help propel me to the next direction. So far – it (college) is different – there are lots more people – but it’s a good kind of different. And it’s a new challenge. “The course has been interesting in terms of what we will be learning. In terms of why I chose this – my parents have always been interested in politics and news - so it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. And I love writing. “I think to do well in the media you have to be outgoing. Be yourself. And you’ve got to challenge people on their beliefs and views. “I really like sport and politics - so hopefully I can specialise in one of those areas. I particularly like playing and watching football. So, to work for someone like the BBC in a football related role would be a dream. “I’ve always wanted to be a writer, a pundit or a presenter – I’d love to be doing that in the future. On the course we get to try our hand at presenting so I’m looking forward to seeing that side of the media. “In terms of who I would like to interview right now – I’d have to say Nigel Farage - and I’d ask him his views on scaremongering.” For more information about courses at West Suffolk College you can visit www.wsc.ac.uk