Three years and a global pandemic later, Kirshon Wilkins has graduated from his BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism programme at UCFB Wembley. Now, Kirshon is getting stuck into his new role as Social Media Assistant at the Daily Express. Here, he tells us about his UCFB experience and how it has set him up for a long, successful career in the media industry…
Congratulations on recently graduating your Multimedia Sports Journalism programme at UCFB Wembley. How does it feel to be finished?
It feels weird to be honest with you. I have loved my three years here but overall I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished here. I was told and believed a few years ago that I wouldn’t get to university, and for some time, I didn’t want to go, but a last minute change of heart was the best decision I’ve ever made.
How were your three years at UCFB? Do you have any particular highlights?
Hard but rewarding. I never would’ve expected to have gone through a pandemic halfway through my second year all the way through to finishing. The Wycombe and Leyton Orient trips are up there, but the broadcast module in year two was outstanding. I had so much fun exploring a different side to journalism and it boosted my confidence for sure.
You’ve recently started your job as a Social Media Assistant working with the Daily Express. How has it been so far?
It has been amazing. I’ll be honest in admitting I didn’t expect to get a job with a company as big as the Daily Express so soon after finishing, but I’m more than grateful. Hearing comments every other day saying how influential I’ve been and how important I’ve been since joining always reassures me that I’ve picked an amazing place.
What skills have you managed to take into the role from your studies at UCFB?
Social media skills, media law and digital media. At UCFB I learnt how to read stories and come up with suitable headlines for them, as well as the ability to know certain laws that you have to follow as a journalist to make sure that certain statements aren’t said that could get me or a colleague in trouble. I have also learnt how to read my audience. Middle aged to senior audiences are for the Daily Express, which means I have to carefully select stories that would be of interest to them as well.
During your studies you spent time gaining work experience in the media team at National League side Aldershot Town. How vital was that experience to your learning and career now?
I believe it’s the main reason why I’m where I am today. A big shout out goes to Henry Port and Connor Laing at Aldershot Town for taking me on and believing in my abilities. They even trusted me to take on solo projects and come up with different ways that we could engage to Aldershot Town fans, as well as trusting me to attend a couple of away games to manage the social media on a match day when certain teams wouldn’t allow many media. They taught me everything I know today and that helped me massively in learning all of the new philosophies and softwares.
What advice do you have for any students looking to start a degree at UCFB?
The most important advice I can give is to go and get experience. Without the experience I got at Aldershot Town, it would’ve been very hard to find full-time opportunities post UCFB, so whenever you get the chance, send a few emails around to different media organisations and never give up. The right one will come eventually and just give your all in everything you do at UCFB.
