Lewis Thompson
About Lewis
Degree studied: Journalism, Media and Culture, 2023
What is your current role?
I am currently studying at the News Associations London, alongside working on the sports desk of The Times every Saturday.
It can be a pinch yourself moment sometimes when you’re sat in The Times’ office in London, looking out to your surroundings. It’s such a great feeling to contribute towards the highest quality of journalism in the UK on a weekly basis and I wouldn’t have ever been presented the opportunity to work there on a regular basis without the support of my degree.
I hope to continue working and developing in the industry no matter where I end up in the future.
Studying at Newcastle
In what ways did your degree at Newcastle prepare you for your current role?
There are too many things to talk about here that I would take up a whole page listing them all! My time at university was the perfect stepping stone for not only my education, but life in general and my degree was fundamental in preparing me for my future as a journalist.
You get so much more than just a degree from going to Newcastle University. You can’t even begin to imagine how much you will learn until you are actually there. I was only in Newcastle for three years, but it felt like a lifetime in a very good way!
What did you enjoy the most?
First of all, Newcastle University is a brilliant place to be. Being on campus was mesmerising at times as I constantly felt part of the university lifestyle, especially when in and around the Armstrong building where most of my studying took place. Second, there is such a beautiful mixture of modernity and history at the uni.
The libraries, for example, are traditional but so organised and accessible at the same time, and some of my best memories believe it or not came from my trips to the Philip Robinson. The facilities are fantastic and there is always so much to do on a day-to-day basis.
The student life is amazing! Something that you don’t appreciate until you move to London is everything is so close together! I could walk into uni or to the library every day in less than 20 minutes from where I lived in Jesmond.
I met some amazing people doing my degree at Newcastle and it really set me up for postgraduate life. I loved the mix of theory and hands on practical modules that fitted with exactly what I wanted to achieve by studying a Journalism, Media and Culture degree.
The blend of theory and practical work made it easy to stay on top of my work, while continuing to learn a vast range of skills – most that I am still using to this day. I’ve really gained from being an alumnus of Newcastle uni in terms of opportunities and getting experience in the industry. All of my lecturers during my degree were brilliant and so easy to speak to at any time.
It was great to actually be taught by people who had been or were currently in the industry that I wanted to pursue. I couldn’t recommend the university and Newcastle any more, and I will definitely be back!
