I hope you are all well and enjoying this fabulous sunshine. First
off, I just want to apologise for the fact that this post is long, long, long
overdue. I've taken a few months out to focus on my exams and mobility training
in preparation for my guide dog. Oh and of course, I've been doing a load of
fun stuff too like going out in London, going to the gym and watching Love
Island (obviously). But now I'm back and raring to give this blog the love it
deserves. So get ready for some awesome content coming your way about all
things beauty, lifestyle, food and more.
Today I want to spill the tea on my work experience placement with
The Mirror Online because it was to say the least amazing. I had a ton of fun,
met some of the nicest people and got to write about one of my specialist
subjects: Love Island. The first article was an early appraisal of Tommy Fury,
questioning whether his nice guy persona was merely an act. Believe it or not,
my opinion on Tommy has changed drastically since week two. I've come to the
conclusion that he is one of the loveliest lads in the villa and I'm absolutely
rooting for him and Molly Mae. As far as I'm concerned though, Oavie has
already won the whole competition. He may be a man of few words but when that 6
foot 7 God opens his mouth, it is iconic.
The second feature was centred around how Love Island has never
had a disabled contestant in all its five year stint. It's a story that I been
meaning to write for a long time now and I'm so thankful that I was able to
raise awareness of it on The Mirror's incredible platform.
If you fancy a gander, I will leave the links below and then let's
jump straight into my Love Island experience shall we?
So the biggest show of the summer is back. And while ten toned and
tanned Islanders jetted off to sunny Majorca, I was stuck on a train heading to
rainy Canary Wharf. My seat buddy was blasting Skepta at maximum volume from
his Airpods; the overpowering scent of cologne and cigarettes was making my
stomach turn; and the drizzle from outside had left my hair far from camera
ready. But apart from all that, I was buzzing because in less than an hour, I
would be entering The Mirror.
If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be opinionated.
I have something to say and I am not afraid to say it which is why I've always
been drawn to journalism. Being visually impaired, I've experienced how people
can underestimate your abilities. It's like the minute you mention the word
'blind', they instantly assume that you won't be intelligent, capable or
assertive. I enquired about work experience at my local paper however they
declined on the grounds that they could not 'cater for my needs' despite having
never met me. At the time, I thought to myself, 'it is what it is'. Yes, I had
just been 'pied off' but if the local didn't want me I may as well go national.
And so, when I 'got a text' (or should I say email) to inform me that I had
secured a week's placement at The Mirror, it was an awesome moment.
I like to think that I am pretty thick-skinned. Nonetheless, I was
a bit apprehensive that the editor would take one look at my writing and show
me the door. To my relief, every single person I encountered was nothing but
lovely and made me feel welcome straight away.
Most work experience placements are about as bland as Tommy Fury,
typically characterised by mundane activities such as filing and making cups of
tea. However from 'day dot', I was propelled into the centre of the action,
giving me a full insight into life as a reporter. I felt at home on the showbiz
desk because while I may be clueless when it comes to football, I sure know a
thing or two about celebrity gossip. From conferences to interviews, to
breaking stories and exclusives, I truly experienced it all and it was a
thousand times more exciting than any Love Island feud.
When the story about Sherif's shock exit from the villa broke, you
could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. The air was charged with adrenaline
and the frantic clicking of keys, as people around me raced to drop the story
first.
For me, one of the major highlights was seeing my by-line on the
articles I wrote. It confirmed to me that newspapers are where my future lies
in journalism.
So like every Love Island contestant, you're probably wondering
'where my head's at'. Well one thing's for sure: The Mirror is '100% my type of
paper' and my taste for the tabloids has left me hungry for more. I've met some
incredible people who have taught me things I will never forget and treated me
like they would anybody else. Throughout this opportunity, I hope I've shown
that I am not a quitter; I'm a grafter. While I've loved my time on showbiz,
I'm not going to 'put all my eggs in one basket'. I'm open to trying new things
and I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to be successful in this industry.
