GOOD year, bad year? As 2013 draws to a close, we ask Kathleen Morgan, senior lecturer in journalism at Glasgow Clyde College, and former editor of The Herald Magazine: ‘How has it been for you?’.
Briefly, what is it that you do?
I train students in multimedia journalism at the NCTJ-accredited Glasgow Clyde College – and ‘keep my big toe in the door’ as a freelance journalist.
Choose three words that sum up 2013 (so far), from a professional point of view.
Challenging. Rewarding. Fun.
In 2012, what was your biggest ambition for 2013, and to what extent did you achieve it?
To help prepare our students to ‘hit the ground, running’ in a fragmented, multi-platform industry. In tough times, I’ve been delighted to watch some of our graduates take their place as trainee reporters in Scottish regional newspapers and magazine publishers, while others are studying at university.
How has 2013 (so far) been for you, personally?
It’s been a good year – I’ve met some interesting people as a journalist, my students have produced some cracking work, and most importantly, my little girl has begun reading stories to me at bedtime. Stories are still what it’s all about, three years after I gave up editing The Herald Magazine to edit students’ copy.
Any changes this year in technology, legislation, the economy, etc that have had a relatively significant impact on the business?
As the industry grapples with the amazing tools available to online journalists, Glasgow Clyde College has founded its own radio station, GCR. Watch this space.
What looking forward to, in 2014 – personally and professionally?
Stories to ‘make the hair stand up on the back of your neck’. There’s nothing like it.
