STUDENT BOWLED OVER BY SUCCESS

21st September 2004

STUDENT BOWLED OVER BY SUCCESS

An Edge Hill graduate is combining his passions for cricket and journalism to secure work as a freelance reporter for newspapers across the North-West.

Andrew McGlashan, 22, originally from the Isle of Man was one of around 30 graduates who were the first to complete the BA (Hons) in Journalism at Edge Hill, this year.

Ardent cricket fan Andrew has long been a supporter of Lancashire County Cricket Club and as a newly qualified journalist he spent the last 6 months reporting on the team?s performance both at home and away for newspapers including the Manchester Evening News and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Andrew said: "I managed to secure some freelance work before the end of my course, so it was a bit of a challenge to juggle university studies with reporting commitments, but it was well worth it. Being able to combine my two greatest passions has been fantastic. I?ve followed the team around the country and met some front line cricket correspondents, who write for the Times, Telegraph and the Independent. It?s been a privilege to meet and learn from such established professionals who have all been very friendly and supportive."

Despite a hectic work schedule that preceded exams, Andrew managed to achieve an upper second class degree and thinks that the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) accredited qualification stood him in good stead when it came to securing employment.

"I do have contacts in the world of cricket and have sat in the press box at Old Trafford many times, but I think achieving my degree has added credibility to my aspirations to become a journalist. It?s a very competitive profession, particularly in sport. I learned such a lot on my course, much of it delivered by lecturers who were all practicing journalists, who passed on the real life aspects of the job. I really enjoyed the range of media studied too, including radio and TV journalism. There is an emphasis on multi skilling in the media and I now feel confident in reporting for broadcast as well as print media."

Andrew?s stint as cricket correspondent comes to end in October and he hopes to continue his freelancing work with a possible trip to South Africa in the offing. "I'd love to secure some freelance work abroad and hope to combine a self funded trip to South Africa with some sports reporting, as England take on South Africa this winter." ENDS EDITOR?S NOTES: For further press information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk