Student Profiles
Kate Watkins-USA
American Football fanatic Kate Watkins worked as the sports reporter on two newspapers in her American hometown of Boulder, Colorado, before pursuing her education in England and finally pitching for UCLan.
Kate was persuaded to leave London for Preston by the portfolio of courses offered by UCLan's Department of Journalism: "I was really impressed with the PG Dip Newspaper Journalism course specifically, and that was the major draw for me. I have found a great university with a terrific student environment, which is now a key factor."
Kate, 25, is studying PG Dip Journalism at UCLan but comes from Wisconsin, USA where she studied BS Journalism at the University of Colorado before moving to London to do an MA in English Literature at the University of Westminster. She explains why she chose UCLan and why she loves it here:
"The UCLan website caught my eye at first. My boyfriend had suggested I give it a look as he's from the north. It had exactly the right course for me. I'm definitely impressed. It's a spectacular course. I'd seen some very good work by our course leader, Guy Hodgson, in the Independent on Sunday before I came here. It's a practical, vocational course dealing with journalistic essentials. Writing news features, media law and public administration are all part of our study for tests which accredit this course as NCTJ certified (National Council for Training of Journalists).
"It's very career oriented here at UCLan. Two work placements on major local newspapers are part of this course as well as workshops on CV and interview preparation. I'm also going to check out the University's Career Centre."
"By doing the PG Dip I can combine my two greatest passions - sport and journalism. I want to continue my reporting as a qualified sports journalist. I love going out and getting a story. Sometimes it can be hectic and a bit overwhelming but the final push to meet a deadline is great. Sport reporting was a natural thing for me. My Dad used to take us to see the Green Bay Packers (they're Wisconsin's American Football team) when I was a kid and I'm just a sports addict. Here in England I've grown to love rugby, tennis and cricket.
"Although I miss my family big time they know I'm happy here. We have a great Students Union, the people on my course are great and we hang out a lot together. I really enjoy the difference between life in the north and south of England. The north seems very real, very down to earth and I love the beautiful countryside.
"UCLan is a positive place to be which makes going to university a dream. People here have a good attitude and that helps when you are studying away from home as an independent person. I feel confident that I can succeed here."
