CHANTELLE HEEDS
DOB: 21/12/1994 | Southport, Merseyside | [T] 07463757993 | chantelleheeds@gmail.com
SUMMARY
I am excited to get onto my desired career pathway – journalism. I understand the importance of having an online presence as a journalist and therefore like to spend my free time writing a fashion blog – shirtsnskirts.
SKILLS
- Competent social media user – Independent worker
- Sound editorial judgement – Highly organised
- Knowledge of the editor’s code – Reliable
- NCTJ qualified in Essential Media Law, Court Reporting and Reporting
JOURNALISTIC EXPERIENCE
Liverpool Echo reporter – Work experience – November 2016
During my time at the Liverpool Echo, I was able to get involved in a fast-paced journalistic environment. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and it presented the opportunity for me to source and pitch story ideas to my news editor. The week I spent doing work experience here was invaluable to me as it gave me realistic and informative feedback on my news gathering skills, and I think that my ability to source and form stories will only benefit from this.
In addition to finding stories from within the office, I was sent out to cover events and protests taking place in Liverpool city centre. This was demanding as it required a fast turn around and strict word counts. This also gave me the opportunity to live tweet and get images and footage needed to go alongside the stories.
Coronation Street press office assistant – Work experience – October 2016
The week I spent on a work placement as a press office assistant at Coronation Street gave me an insight to a different side to journalism. My time here allowed me to attend photoshoots, conduct interviews with members of the Coronation Street cast, select preview clips from upcoming episodes that would be shown on morning programmes, and supervise pre-recorded interviews with journalists.
Despite enjoying the journalistic aspect of my degree, this also allowed me to experience what it was like to be on the other side of journalism – being a press officer. This allowed me to understand how press officers work, how they communicate with journalists and why.
This experience was incredibly enjoyable and definitely made me to want to pursue the public relations side of journalism further and develop my understanding – therefore I have selected it as a module to cover in the final year of my degree.
Southport Visiter reporter – Work experience – July 2016
As this was the first journalistic placement I had done, it really opened my eyes to the profession. It was here that confirmed to me that I had made the right decision to pursue a career in journalism.
My time spent here allowed me to publish numerous articles online and in the newspaper. This was an ideal introduction into a newsroom because as a weekly paper, the demand to produce stories was not as intense as in a daily newspaper newsroom.
However, the opportunity to put my news gathering skills into practice was invaluable, as well as working to deadlines and word counts.
EDUCATION
University of Salford, Salford 2014 – Current
B.A. Honors in Journalism: Multimedia
NCTJ Qualified in:
Essential Media Law
Reporting
Court Reporting
Hugh Baird College, Bootle 2011-2014
A level Media Studies
A level Business Studies
A level Film Studies
AS level Photography
AS level English Literature
Meols Cop High School, Southport 2007 – 2011
6 GCSE grades A-C
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Roberto’s Restaurant & Bar – Waitress
September 2014 – Current
I am currently employed at a restaurant, alongside studying at university. My duties include: reporting back to the owners on all management issues and making suggestions as to how things could run more smoothly, making rotas, cash balancing, cashing up, locking up, meeting and greeting customers and showing them to their tables and dealing with customer complaints if anything should go wrong. Working in the dining room allows me to showcase my strengths, talking to customers, making them feel welcome, and monitoring the time closely to ensure time constraints are met. My role is generally to ensure we exceed customer expectations at all times.
Additionally, the customers nominated me for ‘waitress of the year’ at the Southport Ambassador Awards. As a result of their votes, I was shortlisted, and after a lengthy interview, I was delighted to win the award!
I am enjoying the experience of working in the restaurant and thoroughly enjoy the customer service aspect. Even though this is not my chosen career path, I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to learn this trade, which has helped me to continue to independently support myself while studying at university.
Carmen Hairdressing – Jnr Saturday Assistant – October 2011 – September 2014
Due to being financially independent, I felt that gaining work experience whilst at college was crucial in order to gain future employment. Therefore, I completed voluntary work at a salon throughout my years of studying A-levels.
Throughout my time here, my duties included: interacting with customers, answering the telephone, making and changing appointments and making sure clients were comfortable and content. I feel that this experience really contributed positively to my customer service skills and allowed me to gain confidence when speaking to new people.
Promenade Residential Care Home – Work Experience – June 2009
During my time spent in high school, I completed work experience at the Promenade Residential Care Home. My duties included: conversing with residents, arranging and participating in the summer fair, attending and supervising day trips, and making sure residents were upbeat, happy and comfortable at all times.
Furthermore, as a result of my time spent completing the work experience, I was fortunate enough to have been chosen, out of everyone from my school year, to receive the Best Work Experience Award.
Many thanks for reading!
References are available on the reference page.
