This week, Alan Simmonds is guest lecturing my Journalism class. He is a renowned journalist and was a war correspondent in Vietnam - he is actually the one who first convened the course 30 odd years ago and he taught it for more than 20 of them. Recently, he has given over the teaching of this course to Mrs. Jean Knighton-Fitt, an excellent writer and author in her own right.
Jean has asked Alan to come and lecture us on the news reporting sections of our course, and two days ago, we started on accident reporting. I love his style of teaching - it is a bit intimidating at first when you're on the receiving end because he puts you on the spot and asks you questions, but effective because he engages you in the lecture, captures your attention for the entire duration of the class and forces you to think.
As exciting and informative as his lecture was, for me, that was not the highlight of the evening.
To cut a long story short, he basically offered to help me get an interview with which ever publication I'd like to work for once I've completed the course.
To say I was surprised would be a gross understatement. The cynic in me is thinking, "This man is not serious," and how could he be? As far as I know, he hasn't read anything I've written.
But the optimist in me is extremely flattered and, more importantly, I feel encouraged. Simply by engaging with me in one class, he recognises skills in me that I didn't know exist.
So, thank you Mr. Simmonds. A validation from you means a lot and has boosted my confidence considerably.
Jean has asked Alan to come and lecture us on the news reporting sections of our course, and two days ago, we started on accident reporting. I love his style of teaching - it is a bit intimidating at first when you're on the receiving end because he puts you on the spot and asks you questions, but effective because he engages you in the lecture, captures your attention for the entire duration of the class and forces you to think.
As exciting and informative as his lecture was, for me, that was not the highlight of the evening.
To cut a long story short, he basically offered to help me get an interview with which ever publication I'd like to work for once I've completed the course.
To say I was surprised would be a gross understatement. The cynic in me is thinking, "This man is not serious," and how could he be? As far as I know, he hasn't read anything I've written.
But the optimist in me is extremely flattered and, more importantly, I feel encouraged. Simply by engaging with me in one class, he recognises skills in me that I didn't know exist.
So, thank you Mr. Simmonds. A validation from you means a lot and has boosted my confidence considerably.
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