Breaking News and Breaking Barriers: Masterclass at NewsUK

Weronika works in the Department of Health and Social Care where she supports on Parliamentary business. She completed her undergraduate degree in Geography at the University of Edinburgh in 2023. Following her completion of the Summer Diversity Internship Programme in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in 2023, she developed an interest in politics and wanted to work on issues that affect people. Weronika is particularly interested in issues relating to social inequality after she volunteered in a mentoring programme at university aiming to demystify higher education for widening participation students.

In this Masterclass, Noa Hoffman shared her experiences and challenges working as a Political Correspondent. As a young female journalist working in a high-stress role, Ms Hoffman shared valuable advice for young graduates wanting to break into journalism and how to manage well-being. A personal highlight was gaining an insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts involved in crafting the political articles I, and many others read.

Before the Masterclass, the ‘Mini-Ministers’ cohort also received a tour of the NewsUK offices. We visited the Sun, the Times, and talkSPORT headquarters.

Career Journey 

Myself and the cohort found it surprising how we could relate to some aspects of Ms Hoffman’s career journey. She emphasised the variety of roles, internships, and extra-curricular activities she was involved in before her current position. Breaking into the industry can be challenging and Ms Hoffman stressed the importance of ‘bulking up’ your CV and showing evidence of your passion. Working in smaller publications and student newspapers tailored her interests and gave her the experience needed to get to her position today.

Career Challenges

Ms Hoffman was very open and candid, sharing her unique experiences working as a political correspondent and the personal lessons she’s learnt over the years. Working in a busy and high-stress role, we touched upon how it can sometimes be difficult to switch off and balance your personal life. Your day can start as early as 7 am watching the morning news round, and finish at 10 pm (or later) if it is particularly busy. It’s also important to note that it can be difficult as a young woman reporting in Westminster. Acting confident and self-assured, even if you don’t feel it, is crucial for commanding a space.

Although her role can be challenging, Ms Hoffman stresses that her work keeps her motivated. She feels strongly about sharing the news and holding people to account. When asked how she manages her well-being, Ms Hoffman highlighted the importance of knowing yourself and understanding when you need a break. She also stressed the importance of speaking with your colleagues and talking about your frustrations. These were particularly valuable insights for the cohort to take away and apply to our personal lives.

Future of journalism

We also had thought-provoking conversations about the current state and future of journalism. When asked how the role of journalists has changed in recent general elections, especially this year, Ms Hoffman shared some interesting insights. She emphasised that dynamics are changing as politicians are aware that at any moment they can be recorded. Furthermore, digital media is exploding. This has meant journalists are expected to be flexible and report in different formats. For example, writing articles but also hosting podcasts and utilising social media to share information. 

Conclusions

Overall, this was a valuable Masterclass. It was refreshing and motivating to hear from someone who has achieved so much but, like many of our cohort, is still early in their career journey. Through her candid advice, it was clear throughout Ms Hoffman felt strongly about empowering and pushing young people. Particularly after a general election, it was insightful to learn about the effort and processes that go into publishing news articles, leaving all who attended this Masterclass much to reflect on.