Rochdale Online reporter in Masters degree success

Rochdale Online reporter Amy Westlake underground in the River Roch in Rochdale Town Centre

Amy Westlake, a reporter with Rochdale Online, has gained a Masters Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University.

As part of her Masters Degree course Amy had to complete a two week work placement  and she was introduced to Rochdale Online through a recommendation by the Oldham Chronicle.

Amy impressed so much that she was offered a job and started as a reporter at Rochdale Online prior to completing her Masters in September 2013.

Amy said: “I am very pleased to have passed my Masters Degree with a merit.

“Journalism is something I have always wanted to pursue and, after many years of hard work, I am now doing the job that I have worked hard for.”

“Before landing a full time position as a reporter, I spent a lot of time volunteering just to gain experience about the job. I started volunteering my time with media based organisations from the age of 18 and went from there.”

Amy took a 2.1 in Creative Studies at Bangor University prior to the Masters. She added: “I completed my undergraduate degree in Creative Studies at Bangor University and achieved a 2:1. I wasn’t entirely sure of the best route to go after leaving Bangor and found the Multimedia Journalism Masters course at Manchester Metropolitan. The programme for the Masters offered the chance to learn the skills I needed to work in journalism taught by people who had previously worked in journalism.

“Completing a Masters degree took hard work and perseverance but I am now using those skills in my position as a news reporter whilst learning more on the job.

“Rochdale Online has given me a fantastic opportunity for which I am very grateful.

“I like working at Rochdale Online because it is like no other environment I have worked in before. Even though we are busy all of the time, the atmosphere is very relaxed and everyone is very approachable if I ever need help or advice.”

Rochdale Online Managing Director Pauline Journeaux congratulated Amy on her success and said: "Amy is a credit to herself and to Rochdale Online. She is very good at her job and we are delighted to have her as part of our team."

Amy follows in the footsteps of two previous Rochdale Online employees in gaining a Masters degree whilst employed by the company, Jan Harwood gained a Masters in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and Brad Journeaux gained a Masters in Economy and Space at the University of Manchester.