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Media

Media at the Students’ Union is one of the most active areas of its kind in the country, with a weekly newspaper, The Badger, a termly magazine, The Pulse, and a radio station, University Radio Falmer (URF).

All three are run entirely by students for students and everyone is actively encouraged to get involved with the creation of the media.

Whether it’s through an executive or editorial role, writing a story or helping put together a radio-show, there is great experience to gain and a lot of fun and satisfaction that goes with it.
 

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► Case studies

When I arrived at Sussex I knew I wanted to get involved in Student Media, URF, the radio station were really welcoming and I quickly found myself part of the management team.

I didn't end up working in radio but I did end up hosting the world's most popular business podcasts and working as a Creative Director at an internet marketing company, SiteVisibility

Getting involved in student radio doesn't just give you the experience to work in radio; it helps you build your confidence and gain exposure to the type of opportunities that will change you from just another graduate into a successful job magnet

Kelvin Newman, URF

What did you do as part of URF?

After joining the student radio station URF in my first week I went on to run it, in the position of Chair. I also wrote for the Badger and the Pulse.

As part of this role I was in charge of leading executive and members meetings, training new members and helping organising social and promo events for the station. I got to attend great training days at other universities and organised a training day at Sussex in association with the brilliant Radio Academy, which is affiliated with the BBC. A friend I hadn't met at the time, says the training day I arranged is the reason he now works at Absolute, it was great for networking (a dirty word I know!) URF even made Heat Magazine during my watch! You may remember former contestant and confessed geek Eugene? He was a URF member, and turned up at the Freshers Fair.

Why did you decide to take part?

I came to Sussex to study English Literature and Media Studies, and hadn't done a Media A level so I decided I needed to get involved in student media to help with my studies. Meeting new people and making friends may have had something to do with the decision to throw myself into student media too.

What do you get out of your involvement?

A job. By gaining experience of running a radio station at URF, I was able to get work experience at other stations, including XFM London, TalkSPORT and local station Juice 107.2. Whilst completing my degree I spent my weekends learning editing and playout sytems at Juice, interviewing bands and making the tea. By the time I finished my degree I'd been presenting on weekends for over a year and a full-time position came up on daytime. I've been co-presenting the Guy & Andrea Breakfast Show and writing and reading the news bulletins on Breakfast for 3 years.

Why would you recommend getting involved to students?

Why the hell not? You get to meet people who may become life long friends, you get to learn things that may come to be as useful to your future career as your studies, and it's fun. Your university experience should be about more than studying and drinking. Though those are important elements too, so don't neglect them.

How has being part of student media benefited you?

Without the experiences at URF and the things I learnt I don't think a degree alone would have been enough for me to get into my chosen field. I truly have made some great friends because I joined up. I'm going to be a bridesmaid for my old co-presenter on URF. She doesn't know it yet, and she's not getting married, but when it happens, I will be.

Andrea Fox, URF, the Badger, the Pulse