"I get to go to the theatre to see new shows, see gigs and eat out so my job really is my life too"

Hometown
Originally from Worcester, now living in Bristol

What do you do?
Editor of Metro Life, Bristol & Bath edition

What else have you done?
Picture editor, Metro (Nov 2000 to May 2002)
Picture researcher, freelance at The Saturday Times magazine, The Sunday Times magazine, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday (Jan 1999 to Nov 2000)

Have you got qualifications?
A diploma in photojournalism & journalism
A degree in American & Commonwealth arts from Exeter University
3 A levels and 10 GSCEs

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A journalist

What do you do all day?
I work from 10am to 6pm. I read and send copy for the paper two days in advance. I proof and sign off the pages for the following day. I read and check listings, schedule for the pages two weeks in advance and commission writers and check pictures. Any spare time is spent chasing up leads for new stories.

What’s the best thing about your job?
That it gives me a fantastic social life–I get to go to the theatre to see new shows and dance, see gigs and eat out so my job really is my life too. Also, the buzz of the daily deadlines keeps me interested.

And the worst?
The adminstration and working out the new computer system they’ve just introduced. Also PRs that call with irrelevant stories–all the time!

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
I got my first job at The Mail On Sunday by calling the picture editor every week for a month until finally he just said ‘Oh, it’s you again! You better come in for some work experience.’ And then of course, I got to know people and the rest of my career snowballed from that point.

So, advice would be, get involved. Send a CV but call up and have a conversation too. If people know who you are it’s more difficult to brush you off. Be persistent. It’s inspiring to the rest of us when someone is passionate about getting into their chosen field.