Final Reflection

In creating my main assignments for the digital publishing module I came across a number of challenges and learnt a few new skills a long. One challenge I faced when completing my main assignments was during the process of creating my 600 word article when we were first given the assignment I was really clueless on what I would do for my story. The idea of going out and finding a story seemed a bit daunting to me even though I do think I’m a fairly outgoing and confident person. When Katie suggested some ideas such as going through our contacts and social media friends etc. I couldn’t find anyone or couldn’t think of anyone I could get a story and in honesty I put it off for a while because of this. However when I came home from Leeds for the holidays I was inspired to create a piece about the struggles of care workers due to the current cost of living crisis as well as the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the industry. This was due to my mother who is a care worker herself, I spoke to her about the idea and she was in full support. I asked if I could speak to one of her coworkers and ask them a couple of questions for the article. That’s when I was able to talk to Becky who is a young but experienced care worker who’s very familiar with the industry and like my mother worked throughout the pandemic. It was a little nervy asking someone I didn’t know questions about their profession but Becky was very honest and easy to talk to. Plus the fact that my mum has worked in the industry for a number of years means that I was somewhat clued up on the industry and was aware of some of the things that Becky explained to me. When writing up the story I found it much easier than trying to come up with a story idea and I think that was in part due to the fact that I am passionate about the topic as I see my mother struggle with the stresses and demands that the job puts upon her. In terms of new skills that I learnt during the process, I would say my interviewing skills have improved with the experience I now have interviewing strangers that I know little to nothing about. I would also say it has improved my writing skills turning a short interview into a detailed 600 word story.