Three work experience placements; madness or an opportunity too good to miss?

After weeks of relentless and seemingly fruitless phone calls and emails, of being passed between departments and editors and left on hold, I have finally managed to secure work experience. But not just at one publication but three!

Like buses - cliché I know - I waited for weeks and then received three replies in the same day, from Press Gazette, The Maldon and Burnham Standard and The Independent on Sunday, all from editors inviting me to complete a placement with their publication. Being rather overexcited, I accepted them all, thinking that each offered me different experiences and the potential to increase my experience in one hit.

It is only now that I have realised how potentially mad this is.

Not only will I be experiencing different aspects of journalism in a short, intense space of time and trying to prove myself to the reporters and editors that I will be working with - in the hope that they may offer me other opportunities in the future, but I will be experiencing commuting for the first time, trying to keep up with university study and current affairs while I am not at uni and attempt to continue working part time too.

Madness.

I'm looking forward to all of my placements but especially the one at the Maldon and Burnham. Having written an article for them before, I seem to have created a good impression already. They have assured me that they will be able to provide lots of interesting activities and opportunities for me, including stories and by-lines if my writing is up to scratch. I'm also hoping that I may be able to get a foot in the door there for when I am qualified and searching for a job. Fingers crossed.

Journalism.co.uk says that: "Work experience has always been a part of getting into journalism, and in today's tough jobs market, it is more important than ever. The benefits to work experience are many; something that looks good on a CV while also giving you real, practical skills that will serve you well as you break into journalism." and most publications agree with this, valuing previous experience and by-lines almost as much as qualifications.

So while I may have been a bit rash in trying to complete nearly four weeks of work experience placements during my Christmas break, I am hoping that it will be worthwhile. Hopefully, rather than just stressing me out, getting me lost on the underground and financially bankrupting me when I give up my job to concentrate on the placements, it will increase my knowledge of newsrooms, hone my writing skills and maybe, just maybe, open up an opportunity for the future.