Liz Summers – Breakfast Broadcast Journalist, Heart Cambridgeshire

What are the main stresses of the job?

Getting up early, unhelpful press officers and deadlines! Right now I’m working on breakfast at a radio station 45 minutes from my home which means I have to be up at 4am every day. If you’re a freelancer you have to get use to working different shift patterns which may mess up your body clock. Sometimes people are reluctant to help you, especially if the story you are chasing requires research. It does get a little frustrating when the person working in the press office of an organisation refuses to play ball. Deadlines are part and parcel of the job and I personally thrive under pressure but sometimes juggling an interview, a bulletin and an online article (which all need to be done in half an hour) can be a bit stressful.

What are your main duties during the day?

Reading e-mails, local and national newspapers and magazines, press releases, facebook and twitter. Checking fire and police incidents, arranging and conducting interviews, reading news bulletins, making tea J, calling press offices, putting articles on the website. Essentially aiming to get original and creative stories which are relevant to the audience.

What would be your main advice for people who wish to do what you do?

OK, I’ll try and think of all the advice I wish I’d had starting out…………..Firstly, if you don’t ask you don’t get! As a journalist you have to be confident and forward, shrinking violets need not apply. If you want to work at a particular station make the dream a reality, contact the news editor and ask for their advice, see if you can get a meeting in person. Be determined, it’s not an easy road, broadcast journalism is very competitive and if you pass up an opportunity 10 more people will be right behind you ready to grab it with both hands. Finally, get as much quality work experience as possible and build relationships with people along the way. You never know when they could help you out.

How competitive is it in radio to become a broadcast journalist?

Very, especially in the current economic climate. Having a Bachelors degree isn’t enough, having a bachelors degree and a masters degree isn’t enough, having a bachelors degree, a masters degree and work experience still isn’t enough….you get the picture! Ultimately you need to work hard, get as much work experience as possible and keep pushing until someone gives you the opportunity to prove what you’re made of – if it’s not good enough, you have to go back to the drawing board.

What would you say are the most important skills to have to do what you do?

You have to be passionate about news and current affairs, you need to have an inquisitive mind, thick skin and bags and bags of drive and enthusiasm.

Visit Liz Summers personal website by clicking here.

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