In at the Deep End with HIP
BEN CORNWELL worked as an intern with HIP from 2020 to 2021. It’s good to know we were as useful to him as he was to us.
My placement year at HIP, during my degree course at the University of Sussex, was my first real experience of working in the media industry. With the practical elements of my journalism course being interrupted and restricted by the pandemic, I wanted to put some of the skills and principles that I had learned on my course into action.
During my first week, I was tasked with exploring Hastings and St Leonards to get acclimatised and have a better understanding of everything going on in the local area. As someone who was not a local and hardly knew the town, this was extremely beneficial. It was also helpful when settling into my present job as a reporter for the Times of Tunbridge Wells as I felt comfortable integrating myself into a new community.
While in Hastings, I covered all sorts of topics and stories from sewage leaks on Bulverhythe Beach and safety on our streets to pickleball. It was crucial for me to write as much as I could and build my portfolio. After writing over forty articles and with the help and guidance of the various section editors throughout, I firmly believe that there was a clear growth and development in my writing compared to when I first joined.
Very early into my placement, I volunteered to take over writing the weekly online newsletter and handling the social media accounts. This digital experience has been very useful in my current employment as I have now taken over similar responsibilities for the Times.
My time at the Hastings Independent ignited my passion for local journalism and community news, and I am extremely thankful for the entire HIP team for taking me on and for their endless trust and support.
The experiences and lessons I learned at HIP have helped me get to where I am today and will help me as I continue my journey as a journalist for years to come. If you are thinking of pursuing a career within the industry or just looking to try something new, then I would definitely consider getting involved in your local newspaper.
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