Hear from Graham, a former Radio and Journalism student.
Course studied, when and where?
I studied the City & Guilds qualification in Radio and Journalism at Mid-Kent College from 1991 to 1993 at the Oakwood Park campus in Maidstone. Alongside this, I also completed two A-levels in English and Sociology. The combination of practical media training and academic study gave me a strong foundation in communication, storytelling and critical thinking, which has been invaluable throughout my career.
How did you get to where you are now?
I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at Canterbury Christ Church University and have been working in higher education for the past seven years. However, I still consider myself first and foremost a journalist, particularly a sports journalist. After leaving Mid-Kent College, I studied for a degree in Media and Communications before securing my first role as a trainee journalist with the East Kent Gazette in Sittingbourne in June 1996. During my time there, I completed my NCTJ journalism qualifications at Highbury College in Portsmouth. In March 1998, I joined the KM Group as a trainee sports reporter and progressed through a range of local sports editor roles before becoming the Group Sports Editor in 2012. I then moved to London as a freelance content editor, holding a staff contract with The Daily Telegraph while also contributing to The Guardian and The Times. During that period, I also began sessional lecturing in sports journalism at the University of East London, which eventually led me into academia full-time at Canterbury Christ Church.
What has been the biggest challenge in your professional journey, and how did you overcome it?
Without doubt, the biggest challenge throughout my career has been keeping pace with the rapid changes in the media industry. I trained as a print newspaper journalist before the internet became mainstream and long before the rise of social media. However, online news, digital publishing and multimedia storytelling have transformed journalism beyond recognition. I overcame this by embracing change rather than resisting it. I made a conscious effort to keep learning new skills, adapt to new technologies and understand emerging ways of working. My willingness to learn, adapt and keep developing professionally has been one of the key reasons I have enjoyed a long and varied career.
What advice would you give to current students who want to follow a similar career path?
My advice would be to develop yourself in two ways simultaneously. Firstly, focus on getting the best education you can in journalism, media and related subjects. Secondly, gain as much practical experience as possible alongside your studies. Today there are countless ways to publish and showcase your work, whether through websites, blogs, podcasts, video content or local reporting. The ideal combination is a strong education alongside a substantial body of practical work. While studying for my degree, I gained experience reporting on non-league football in Kent. By the time I applied for my first journalism job, I could show not only my academic qualifications but also a portfolio of published work, which I believe gave me a real advantage in a competitive jobs market.
What did you like about college, and do you have any funny memories?
I can honestly say that my two years at Mid-Kent College were the best of my educational journey. I left grammar school at 16 to pursue the Journalism course at Oakwood Park, which was not a particularly common move in the early 1990s. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Not only did I gain my qualifications, but I also made friendships that lasted for more than 20 years. Some of my fondest memories are of spending time with friends in the old refectory, playing football behind that building and socialising at the Walnut Tree pub opposite the campus. The journalism course was unique because it was the only one of its kind in Kent at the time, bringing together students from across the county. The fact that many of us stayed in touch for years afterwards says a great deal about the friendships and experiences we shared.
