Freya Parr

The Views section of The Gryphon is based around comment and debate on current affairs. As the Editor of this section, I had to research stories or issues for the writers to discuss, and then run weekly meetings with them, deciding who was best suited to each article. I then had to follow them all up throughout the week, and consequently edit their work and lay the pages, both for the paper copy of the newspaper and the website.

Working for the Sydney branch of Broadsheet, an online lifestyle publication focussed on the arts, food and cultural scene in Sydney, has enabled me to enhance my writing skills, as I research and write a large number of articles on a wide variety of topics, primarily focussing on the Sydney arts and restaurant scene. I conduct regular interviews with some of Australia’s most well respected chefs, designers and directors, and weave their comments into my work. I also manage the company’s content management system, uploading all the website’s content, individually formatting each article according to their category and then writing copy for social media posts and organising their upload.

Working as part of a major global advertising agency gave me a close insight into how brands are marketed and branded. The branch of the company I was working with was responsible for bringing pharmaceutical products to market, so I had to put my research skills to use, and work alongside the medical writers. I worked in all departments of the company, from account management, to copywriting, to planning, helping with the creative development of several different campaigns.

I was heavily involved with the editorial team whilst working at BBC Music Magazine, with a very hands-on approach. I researched stories, conducted interviews, and wrote up articles, which were then edited by the senior members of the editorial team. Although I contributed to the print copy of the magazine, I was primarily responsible for managing online content, using InDesign and other creative software to both update content and write copy. This was promoted through various media outlets, and I learnt to tailor the style of the content for differing audiences.

Rotunda Media is a Perth-based publication that is currently expanding across Australia. I wrote many articles throughout the year; primarily theatre, exhibition and concert reviews, all of which I sourced information and tickets for myself. I also wrote feature and trending articles on local, national and international news, as well as public interest stories. My pieces always received some of the highest viewing figures, and I was continually praised for my work.

Working in my father’s business has enabled me to use initiative in using computer software to search for candidates for executive positions, and helping in the general running of the office.

Although the internship took place a few years ago, I learned a great deal about the world of journalism, and I have taken this forward with me. I assisted the office staff, helping around the office doing anything from answering phone calls from clients, to running errands around London for senior editors. I also was able to research news topics and I even had the opportunity to write articles for the magazine’s website. I gained a lot from this internship, in particular being able to think quickly in pressurised situations, and working with a group of people I hadn’t previously met.

Graduated with a 2:1. Completed a year exchange programme at the University of Western Australia, where I studied English Literature, Art History, Gender Studies and Law.