Derry Lenehan
Many of Ireland's leading journalists have graduated from various courses within the school of communications, and I believe that DCU's BA in in Journalism would provide the best training possible for a future career in the industry.
Why did you choose this particular course?
During my time at Stilorgan College of Further Education, where I completed a PLC in Journalism and Digital Media, the Journalism Bachelor's was frequently recommended by our lecturers as an excellent choice for anyone aiming to pursue a career as a journalist. I also selected the course because of its outstanding reputation. Many of Ireland's leading journalists have graduated from various courses within the school of communications, and I believe that DCU's BA in in Journalism would provide the best training possible for a future career in the industry.
What aspects of this programme were most useful or valuable to you?
The diversity of the course content was what I found most valuable overall. Getting experience in all facets of journalism, from video and audio production to advanced reporting and feature writing, really gave me a strong base and allowed me to figure out what exactly it was that I wanted to specialise in. It has never been more crucial for journalists to possess a flexible skillset. The lectures at DCU have equipped us with the necessary skills and abilities to excel in whatever roles we may pursue in the future.
What were your highlights of the programme?
Some of the highlights of the programme include the practical tutorials in different modules, such as radio and video production, feature writing, and advanced reporting, as well as the newsdays in my final year. Additionally, our lecturers provided valuable insights into the industry and its various practices. I am immensely grateful to individuals such as Dawn Wheatley, Alice O'Sullivan, John Walsh, Dave Robbins, Saumava Mitra, Declan Fahy, Kevin Rafter, and Colleen Murrell for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the three years. Their contributions made the entire learning process truly enjoyable and significantly influenced my personal and professional development.
Did the programme create opportunities for you?
For my INTRA placement, I was fortunate enough to have received the Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship, which allowed me to spend the summer reporting for Cronkite News in Washington DC, covering Arizona politics. Getting to report from Capitol Hill during Donald Trump's second term as President, with access to all areas of the Senate and House of Representatives, was the most rewarding experience of my career to date. The knowledge that I gained over the course of the internship will stand with me for the rest of my career. It was incredible getting to live and work in Washington DC, during such a seminal period in American history, and I am extremely grateful to DCU for the opportunity. The different assignments throughout the course allowed me to hone my skills as a journalist, and for a group project last year, two of my peers and I were able to have a piece of ours published in The Journal as the morning lead. These opportunities enabled me to develop a strong portfolio, and I have since succeeded in securing a position as a reporter with a regional newspaper.