The bus stations and roads are teeming with the crowded outflow of students heading in all different directions back to their respective homes.
Students on the bus sigh with relief that they have made it through another challenging term and long for the warm welcomes from family.
Most of all they look forward to the ample amount of relaxation time.
However, for aspiring first year journalism students, a holiday lounging around is not in the cards.
Experience is desperately wanted and students voluntary jump in the deep end and start holiday work at a newspaper publication.
This is a worthwhile experience because journalism students can now see how those seemingly pointless essays and lectures actually help with creating valuable skills necessary in the workplace.
Work experience whilst in varsity allows one to fine tune exactly what they want to get out of their degree to make them more employable.
Also, exposure in the workplace is important, because it makes clear a very different atmosphere compared to the sometimes carefree one in varsity that is important to keep in mind.
It also introduces an important practical application of journalism whereas in varsity much more emphasis is placed on the theory.
A coupling of both experience and knowledge proves to be a significant competitive edge to have in the workplace.
There is responsibility, stress and the time limits are real and serious as I ave experienced in my three day interning period at Benoni City Times.
Although it’s a short period I (an intern) have found it very helpful and enlightening.
All in all, work experience is a great additional perspective and experience to have when continuing at varsity. EJ
