Leandra's Journey to Becoming a Sports Journalist

Journey to Salford

“My passion lies in sports journalism however I was attracted to the MA Journalism: News/Broadcast/Sport course at Salford because you can study general journalism modules whilst specialising in the area you are interested in.

The MediaCity campus was a big driver in my decision to study at Salford. I wanted to be a part of a community of creatives and learn amongst some of the biggest names in the industry including the BBC and ITV.

When I first arrived at the MediaCity campus and saw how impressive it was, I knew I had made the right decision. The state-of-the-art technology and industry-standard equipment are so accessible for students, it really impressed me and was not something I had experienced back home in India.”

Studying journalism at Salford

“I have lectures three times a week and they are taught by expert lecturers. Most of my tutors are industry professionals so they bring lots of experience to the classroom for us to learn from.

The course is developing the real-world skills I need in particular digital journalism skills including SEO writing and editing, which are very important to succeed in the industry now. Throughout the programme, we have had multiple experts talk in our class. This has given me a fantastic opportunity to interact with them, ask them questions and hear about their career experiences, which in turn has given me a real insight into the sector.

I have also developed my employability skills including networking, building rapport and asking the right questions. These skills will be crucial for collaborations in my future roles.

For my remaining time at Salford, I want to continue learning as much as I can from my lecturers and any guest speakers we have. I also want to have fun completing my remaining classes and assessments.”

Outside the classroom

“There are lots of Indian students at Salford and there is an Indian Society which organises activities and events. I’ve found this a great way to socialise and meet people from India. This has made me feel more at home.

All of the students I’ve met have been really friendly and welcoming. My course has lots of group projects which has helped me build friendships with different people and develop rapport with my classmates.

I love living in Manchester and Salford. One of my favourite parts about where I live is the view of Salford Quays, I find it very pretty and peaceful. I’ve spent some time travelling around the UK as well. The best part of this has been trying different foods local to each place.”

Looking towards the future

“After I graduate, I plan on getting some UK work experience in journalism, ideally in sports journalism. Once I have completed my Graduate Visa, I’d like to return to India and start a business, maybe a media or creative agency using the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the three years I’ve been in the UK.

I would urge anyone to take the chance and complete a degree abroad. Whilst it is a life-changing decision, living in a new country will be one of the best experiences you’ll have. You will take home a new perspective and different ways of looking at things.”