Blogs: Jonny introduces himself

Post 1, March 2013

Jonny Brown is a postgraduate student. He graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in politics, before moving to Newcastle University for a Masters in media and journalism

I handed in my undergraduate dissertation and vowed, 'never again.' But it sometimes seems that when we say 'never again' what we really mean is, 'go on then, I've done it before so how hard can it be?'

This seems to have happened to me, as I'm now a postgraduate student and this year I'll be running my second consecutive Great North Run.

2012 was the year for sport, so I slipped on the running shoes and hit the roads. If anything, it was a welcome distraction from what appeared to be a mountain of university work piling up in front of my eyes.

I didn't completely forget about my work though. By running everyday (ok, every so often), I was able to use the time to myself to focus on the task ahead: what can I write about for 10,000 words?

At first I would panic and decide to put it off for a bit. But that's a bad idea - you're asking for trouble if you do that. Instead, organise yourself and plan your time and you'll find it easier to cope with than you ever thought possible. After all, I learned that myself after juggling all my work with my training schedule!

So, I eventually graduated with a 2:1 in politics - probably not the most exciting degree out there but I enjoyed it. And that's key: enjoy what you are doing otherwise you'll lose the motivation. Like running. I want to beat my time from last year so I am motivated to train for the Great North Run. I have a target in my mind and I know what I have to do to achieve it.

I'm now studying a Masters in media and journalism. I always had an inkling that media is the industry for me, in fact I nearly opted for a journalism course before choosing politics. Three years later I ended up having to make the classic post-graduation decision: employment or further study.

If you choose employment, there is a range of graduate schemes, entry-level jobs and other vacancies out there, despite the state of the economy and the competitive job market. It's well worth using the careers service at your university, college, school or institution as they can find out from you what it is you are after and the best way to get there.

However, I had always been tempted by a Masters and started looking into it. I went for media and journalism as that is my main interest and I knew the course content would motivate me throughout the year.

But it wasn't as straightforward as clicking a button to apply and you are in - there is more to consider before signing up for a postgraduate course. For example, how will you fund the course? Which university is best for your subject? What is required to land a place on the course?

Some universities run open days, so go along and ask about courses, find out more about what is on offer to you and compare them. Your undergraduate university may offer a discount for returning students but may still be more expensive than other universities.

Anyway, I ended up at Newcastle University. I have spent most of my life in the region so in a way I was returning to my roots to pursue my media dream.

Postgraduate study is down to you: you get out what you put in. If you want to work for the student paper, you can. If you want to run a radio show with your friends, you can. If you want to gain work experience in the industry or get tips from professionals… I think you get where I'm going with this.

I joined a hyperlocal news team working with industry professionals that have taught me so much in a short space of time. There's no doubt, though, that I could be putting so much more in and I aim to do just that, because I want to get more from the service we provide. It benefits me and it benefits the team.

Fellow students run radio shows, write for the student paper and even organise PR events. It is more about you and what you do that matters. Independence is something you develop at undergraduate level that is essential here. The work is harder, yes, but I am learning a new subject in one year, which requires knowing more in-depth theory than the undergraduate students who get to spend three years studying the subject. But, I'll leave my motivational postgraduate pitch for another post.

In a nutshell, that's me. You've learnt that I like to run, albeit as a distraction. Also, you probably think I'm odd because I like politics. That's a fair judgement, it's a conversation killer. You were quick to notice motivation is key and it's vitally important to enjoy what you do. And you think it's a little peculiar that, even though I've always wanted to do journalism, I chose politics originally.

I'll be back next month for another tale of something...I don't want to spoil it for you but as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother says, it's going to be legen...wait for it...dary.