Kit Shepard

Current role:
Sports Reporter

Current employer:
The Times

Tell us about your current role and employer:
I am a Sports Reporter for The Times. I mainly report on football, but have covered several sports for the outlet.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?:
The role is very varied, but days often involve plenty of phone calls, attending press conferences or matches, and liaising with the news desk. There is also plenty of travel and regular networking events.

How do you feel the learning experience on your course helped to prepare you for your career?:
Studying history improved my writing skills and allowed me to interpret issues from multiple perspectives. Given a history degree and a reporting job are both quite independent tasks, my studies also helped me improve my time management and self-discipline.

What was your journey to getting a job after graduating?
I spent a year acquiring my National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) diploma immediately after graduating. During this period, I started doing work experience for The Times and gradually earned more opportunities both on the desk and as a reporter, before I was offered a full-time job.

What were the best things about your course?:
The variety of modules available, the flexibility of the timetable, and the chance to study fascinating topics in detail.

What are your top tips for students graduating today?:
Be open to trying new experiences, even if you're not sure, it's precisely what you want your career to look like.

Don't be afraid to ask people for advice or work experience. The worst they can say is no!

You will always be happy if you try your best.