Why I chose my course - Journalism
Cydney Barge
Journalism BA(Hons)
Hey! I'm Cyd a second year Journalism student and outside of my course I founded and run Sector 1 Motorsport, a podcast that develops multi-platform content around all things motorsport- including F1 and Formula E.
What university?
My only big job really was to figure out where I was going to study.
Let me tell you, there are A LOT of universities that offer Journalism as a degree, but what made me choose Huddersfield from that long list?
The University of Huddersfield was one of the only courses that offered me the opportunity in the second and third year to pick some of my own modules that related to my own personal interests. It offered on-screen training, making radio broadcasts, as well as a number of modules relating to sports broadcasting, and I couldn’t find this combination at any other university.
Another selling point of the journalism course for me was the fact that my choice of degree wouldn’t pigeonhole me into one career. If I end up having a change of heart, my degree will still be ridiculously useful in whatever I go into. I’m learning so many skills that could help me pursue a number of different careers in the media industry, as well as other industries too.
Why Huddersfield?
I come from a very small town in Suffolk, so it seems strange to most people that I would pick Huddersfield - lots of people thought it was a random choice.
But for me, it was actually a very well thought-out decision. Huddersfield was the perfect choice. It’s a big town, but not too big and city-like, keeping that sense of security that comes with living in a smaller and friendlier town. It also has incredible links to bigger cities such as Leeds, Manchester, and York.
The University of Huddersfield offered me the exact degree I was after. Not only does Huddersfield have industry-standard equipment and technology, but in my opinion, it also has out –of-this-world staff too (not literally, but I guess that could be cool…)
I remember getting an email from the University asking me to attend an interview with the Journalism module leader. This was the first professional interview setting I’d ever been in, so I was absolutely petrified.
As soon as I joined the meeting, I was greeted with the happiest and friendliest face of my module leader and was immediately put at ease. When the meeting ended, I knew that whatever offer the University gave me, Huddersfield was the place for me.
Seeing accomplished alumni from the university, like Sally Nugent reassured me that my degree will help me achieve my goals.Moving up north and support from my lecturers
Having social anxiety meant that whatever choice I made, it was going to be a really difficult transition for me from home to Huddersfield, but knowing that when I started university in September there would be someone there that I vaguely knew was so great, and made me feel so much more comfortable.
I had so many questions before starting university, as many people do, and my module leader had given me his email address so I could bombard him with my one million questions before starting, and this helped me so much. Without the friendly staff here, there’s no way I would have settled in as much as I have.
I’m genuinely so glad that I chose to come to Huddersfield to study Journalism. Not only is it the perfect place to study for my degree, but it has also been incredible to explore a new place and meet so many new and interesting people here.
If you’re thinking of studying at Huddersfield, I genuinely can’t recommend it enough.
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