Legacy of The Print's Former Members

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

As part of The Print's tenth anniversary, the team reunited several former members to share their experiences of joining the news outlet. They offered advice to aspiring writers and those interested in journalism, media, and communication.

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Saywah Mahmood (2018-2020)

Figure 1. Saywah Mahmood

I was Editor-in-Chief in my final year, the year before that, I was a News Editor and, before that, a contributor.

As Editor-in-Chief, I oversaw editorial content and worked across different aspects of the paper, from writing articles to managing teams, which gave me hands-on experience in digital journalism and traditional print media. I also conducted monthly podcasts, which allowed me to explore multimedia storytelling. One of the highlights was seeing The Print win an award for online content, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the entire team.

While at The Print, I learned how to construct engaging stories and attended university events, honing my ability to identify and report on the most exciting aspects. My experience there sharpened my leadership, content management, and adaptability.

Advice:

My advice for anyone aspiring to become a journalist is to read widely. Explore a variety of outlets, including those you may disagree with, as this will help you develop a well-rounded perspective and strengthen your journalistic writing. Secondly, be proactive—this cannot be emphasised enough. Reach out to journalists whose work you admire (it’s often easy to find their emails or social media handles), and ask for their time, whether for a Zoom chat or a coffee. If a particular piece resonates with you, contact the journalist, compliment their work, and ask about their process. This is a great way to build connections, and people will remember you. Don’t hesitate to ask about work experience opportunities either. While graduate schemes exist, they’re competitive, so being bold and asking directly for opportunities can be a great way to get your foot in the door and gain experience in a newsroom.

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Megan Samrai (2019 to 2020)

Figure 2. Megan Samrai

I was a contributing writer and Careers Editor at The Print from roughly November 2019 to June 2020.

During my time at The Print, I had the opportunity to attend events and workshops held by QMUL’s Career and Enterprise team and write about my experience. It was a great way to offer some insight to students who may have been at a crossroads with choosing a career path, and it also gave me a chance to think about my own.

Five years later, I’m now working as a Production Journalist at ITV News, based in southeast England. I produce news bulletins and film and edit my reports for TV.

Advice:

My best piece of advice to aspiring journalists would be… Don’t give up! It can be a competitive industry, and you may have to complete many job applications before the right role. But if you’re passionate and enthusiastic and have something to bring to the table, you will find a way to get your foot in the door. Learn what your strengths are. Do your research about where you’re applying to. And when it comes to job interviews, think about how you can sell your experiences - and yourself.

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Sawdah Bhaimiya (2019 - 2020)

Figure 3. Sawdah Bhaimiya

I joined The Print during my second academic year at the university in 2019 as a News Reporter. I joined to gain experience with news writing and reporting on affairs that were relevant to students.

The most memorable article I wrote was about a professor at QMUL who filed a racial and gender discrimination case against the university. I attended her employment tribunal, where she chose to represent herself against QMUL’s lawyers, and I interviewed her the following week. This was my first field trip as a young reporter, and being in the moment, seeing her represent herself, and hearing her story made me realise the actual value of journalism. It was rewarding because I had the opportunity to tell her story and have a real impact. At the end of the year, I won an award for the article for having the most page views on the site. Now, as a reporter at CNBC International, I come back to this article from time to time to remind myself of my values and purpose.

Advice:

Start building your portfolio now. Media organisations are looking for passionate candidates who are already doing journalism. This could mean engaging in student media, writing articles, or producing a radio show. You could volunteer at your local newspaper or magazine. You can freelance for various publications and get paid for your work. You could start your blog, TikTok, or YouTube channel that is relevant to the journalism area in which you’re interested. Be bold and curious. Get out there and get stuck in.

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Joe Bounds (2021 - 2022)

My name is Joe Bounds, and I was the Editor-in-Chief from 2021 to 2022.

My involvement with the Print began in my second year when I joined as a budding news correspondent. Little did I know what adventures awaited. Assignments would see me investigate the decapitation of a nude statue, don a Matrix costume to report on a Halloween gig, and interview the vice principal about QM’s response to the pandemic. Becoming an editor was a fantastic experience and a welcome alternative to coursework. The scourge of COVID-19 had ended, and student contributors brought fresh energy, ideas and talent to the two editions we produced. Nothing was as satisfying as seeing the Print printed. Two long years later, I look back misty-eyed!

Advice:

All employers look for a pattern of dedication. Whether you demonstrate that by working on the Print, subscribing to a news provider to see how the pros do it or pestering established platforms to print your stuff freelance, everything should reveal your interest in the area you are applying for. My first interview question for my current job in media wasn’t a writing task but: “How do you get your news and where from?"

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Nika Kapushesky (2022- 2024)

I was a Features Lead and then Deputy Editor. I had a wonderful time at The Print, engaging in amazing opportunities such as obtaining free tickets to a movie premiere at the British Film Festival and receiving early pre-release copies of books to write reviews and commentaries.

I also got to experience what it is like to be in a leadership role within such a community, helping to organise and manage the Editorial Team and supporting the Editor-in-Chief with their duties. My time at The Print developed all the classic skills of teamwork, leadership, and organisation and gave me an amazing chance to have my writing enter the public sphere.

Advice:

Network! You never know who may know who, so engage in as many networking events and opportunities as you can, see if anyone has a relative already in the industry, be willing to be proactive and reach out to people if you find their profiles online on LinkedIn or their websites, etc. You’ll be surprised by how many people will give you their time and advice.

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Rayan Ibrahim (2023 - present)

Figure 4. Rayan Ibrahim

My name is Rayan Ibrahim, a second-year English with Creative Writing student and a member of the society. I'm a contributing writer for mainly the Arts and Culture sector and am still a part of The Print this year.

The Print helped refine my non-fiction writing skills as an English with Creative Writing student. It pushed me beyond fiction and introduced me to journalistic techniques, making me a more versatile writer.

I enjoyed covering events as they happened, which let me engage with current topics and share timely content. Writing in real-time gave me insight into the fast-paced nature of journalism.

Writing for The Print taught me the full process—research, proofreading, and fact-checking—boosting my confidence in covering different topics. The Print helped me build a portfolio of published work and connect with like-minded students, strengthening my professional network (honourable mention to LinkedIn).

Advice:

- Develop Writing Skills and Gain Hands-On Experience: Joining The Print provides an excellent platform to develop your writing and adapt to different journalism styles. You'll gain practical experience in researching, editing, and managing social media, offering a well-rounded skill set for media production.

- Deadlines and Feedback: Writing for The Print teaches you to handle tight deadlines and work under pressure, preparing you for the fast-paced media industry. Regular feedback from editors helps refine your work, pushing you to grow as a journalist.

- Build a Portfolio and Network: Your published work becomes part of a valuable professional portfolio. You'll also build a lasting network with peers, editors, and professionals, fostering collaboration during and after university.

- Stay Critical and Ethical: Covering real-time events sharpens your critical thinking while practising ethical journalism, which ensures you report responsibly and builds credibility as a writer.