Jamie calls on students to use their voice

Encouraging students to vote is all in a day’s work for multimedia journalism student Jamie Crow.

As the general election approaches, third year BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism student Jamie is drawing on his interest in politics to highlight to students why their vote counts.

Jamie will be involved in election broadcasts on May 7, having established links with the BBC during his degree after becoming involved in a BBC mentoring scheme during the first year of his course, which led him to establish contact with the makers of the Politics Show.

He said: 'My BBC mentor helped me to secure work experience and I shadowed journalists and made contacts, including the editor of the Sunday Politics Show. I kept in touch and through that relationship I was commissioned to put together a film about local individuals standing for local government and national government.

'I'm also due to be involved in the election broadcasts on May 7, looking from the perspective of students. It’s a fantastic opportunity.'

Jamie, 20, of Ingleby Barwick, said: 'Before starting the degree at Teesside I visited during an open day and was really impressed with the facilities. The course ensures we’re skilled in all areas of multimedia journalism, which is vital as it’s an industry which continues to evolve.'

As well as gaining valuable work experience in the region, Jamie has also spent time on work experience at the Millbank Studios based at Westminster in central London.

'We were advised as first years to get as much work experience as possible and develop contacts, which is something I’ve strived to do as the media industry can be difficult to break into and you need to have experience in a range of placements to highlight the multimedia aspects of your work,' said Jamie.

He added: 'I would urge anyone thinking of coming to Teesside University to do it as the course is so varied and broad and enables students to find their niche. I've definitely found my niche in political reporting.

'Personally I think it's important that students' use their vote to make sure their voices are heard. I'm involved in political campaigning, but as a journalist I also realise the importance of remaining neutral.

'By following local politics and being politically active, it's helped me to discover what ratio of the demographic votes. It’s important to encourage people to realise how important it is to ensure their own voices are heard by voting.'

School of Arts & Media factfile Teesside is the only University in the Tees Valley offering art and design courses – everything from traditional pathways to new and innovative programmes in indie games, fashion and textiles.

All courses are based on the town centre campus in which there has recently been a £250m investment and international art gallery mima is now part of the University.

Graduates have gone on to top positions in companies such as Aston Martin, Philips, F1, Dreamworks and Marvel Comics. Contemporary partners include Dance City and Hyper Island.

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