Katherine Stowell - Media Studies

Hiya!! My name is Katherine Stowell, at the moment I am working towards my BTEC National Diploma in Media and I absolutely love it!! After completing my first year with 3 distinctions and 8 merits I am even keener to shine on the course. It really is great knowing that your hard work is paying off and you are actually good at something.

I first came to North West Kent College in 2005, I was originally planning to do A Levels and that fell through, I was definitely worried about what to do next and after a chat with a careers advisor I was extremely lucky to get a place on the First Diploma in Media at the last minute and I haven't looked back!

I have always been interested in media, particularly print media, such as magazines. My mum has worked for magazines for as long as I can remember and once I visited her offices at the young age of 8, I was adamant that I wanted a job 'like my mums'. That ambition has never gone away. Eventually I managed to coerce my mum's editor into some work experience. To put it simply, LOVED IT! I love to read and write and I always have. I used to like writing short stories but now I enjoy writing things I could imagine seeing in a magazine or a newspaper such as fashion articles or film reviews. I always enjoy the written assignments I get on the course, even script writing assignments as it's always good to push your natural boundaries.

Getting a degree is very important to me. Not going to university has never been an option. I am trying to keep my options open and am considering journalism, magazine publishing and public relations. I feel a degree is my best route into the world of work. I am researching different universities and just seeing what's out there.

I currently have a part-time job at Marks & Spencers. It started as a Saturday job on the till and stacking shelves. Now my friends and family call me a 'company woman' and I have progressed to the dizzy heights of the 'office' and they let me train the newbie's!

The combination of college and work has totally boosted my confidence and social skills. I have gone from being really shy, the type of girl who wouldn't say "BOO" to a goose to realising that my opinions matter and are worth sharing. I have learnt to be unafraid of trying new things and now actively enjoy learning new things.

If all of the above makes Katherine sound a dull girl you would be wrong. I study hard; I work hard and play well! I love to have fun, go dancing, go shopping and just generally have a laugh with my friends.

In 10 years time I'd like to have a fantastic job, one that makes me leap out of bed in the morning and be earning shed loads of money! I want to feel proud of myself and what I will have achieved.

On a final note, anything is possible and you should always follow your dreams. I didn't even plan to be doing a media course at college and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else now!! Thanks for reading!!!