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Year 12 students were privileged to have the opportunity to hear directly about the realities of working in political journalism when Kate Ferguson, Political Editor at The Sun on Sunday, visited Westminster City School on Wednesday 23 September.

Working just a short distance from the school in Westminster, Kate spoke about how she entered journalism, what her role involves and how the working week can change quickly when major political stories develop.

One point she returned to throughout the talk was the importance of getting away from the desk. She explained that some of the best journalism comes from meeting people, asking questions and building relationships over time.

Students also heard about a major political story Kate had covered over the summer this year, and what it was like to follow developments as a journalist, giving them a sense of how quickly the job can move when events develop. She also spoke about the noticeable transformation from traditional newspaper journalism towards digital publishing and video, and the need for journalists to adapt as audiences change the way they consume news.

Speaking to students about careers more broadly, she said:

“Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Work at what you enjoy. Your attitude is important in pursuing a career as a journalist, but also important for any career path you decide to pursue.”

Year 12 student Daisy-Mae, who joined Westminster City School from St Gabriel’s College Secondary School said that the talk had changed the way she thought about journalism as a possible career. She commented saying:

“Kate’s talk allowed me to better understand the life of a journalist and the pathways into journalism, leading me to consider it as a serious career choice rather than something inaccessible due to my lack of connections within the industry and knowledge of conventionally covered subjects.

“After the talk, I began to consider routes into journalism because of my love for English and interest in politics. More broadly, the talk had me reflecting on careers, and university, making me think about pathways and options I hadn't previously thought about.”

Thank you to Kate for spending the morning at Westminster City School. The day proved to be a real inspiration for many of our students, allowing them to think about their own career choices, the importance of staying open to different routes and most importantly, following their individual passion and interests.