Salford alumni encourage young women to pursue careers in journalism

Ex-Salford students returned to campus to speak to aspiring female journalists about their experience as a woman in an often male-dominated field.

The panel consisted of Shirley Benson, Freelance Producer, as well as The University of Salford alumni Grace Mailey, Journalism Researcher for BBC Radio 5 Live, and Rachel Allison, North of England Producer for ITV.

Ms Mailey reflected on her time studying in Salford and spoke about how important to her early career it was.

“Honestly, it was probably one of the best things I’ve done.” Said Ms Mailey. “It just gives you that industry experience so when you go into these jobs you can say well, actually, I produce the radio show, I produce the TV show.”

The three panelists gave out advice to audience members and people tuning in live on how to navigate the journalism industry as a woman.

“Honestly, it’s just a case of believing in yourself, there are loads of people who love what you do.” said Ms Allison. “You’re there for a reason.”

The talk comes as studies from the Reuters Institute reveal that only 21% of women in journalism are in editorial or managerial positions, despite the fact 40% of journalists are women.

Shirley Benson said: “When I started out, it was quite a male business…there was this perception that the men were the bosses. I was a researcher on a celebrity chat show, you’d go in to greet them and he’d be taking his trousers off.

“That was the kind of thing that used to happen. It was okay to intimidate you. You wouldn’t get this today.”

Ms Mailey had words of encouragement for aspiring journalists that times have changed and the industry is leaning more towards a 50/50 split. She said: “My production team is 50/50 men and women, there’s maybe more women than men, so that’s really good.”

Before leaving, the floor was opened up for a Q&A, taking questions sent in from social media as well.

The panel were in agreement that whilst there has been much improvement over the years, there is still more work to do.

Ms Benson continued: “I think women have come a long way, we are more confident now and we do believe in ourselves. I think women just need to remind themselves that they can do it.”