This page will feature examples of my work from various work experience placements, freelance jobs and projects I undertake.
Sky News
In December 2010 I worked for two weeks with Sky News’ Online team. During my time at Sky I undertook a number of stories on a range of subjects including politics, celebrity and others.
Upon completion of my placement, head of online newsgathering Phil Wardman gave me a very kind reference:
“Andy was a very impressive placement and soon fitted in with a busy, demanding Sky News Online team.
He soon proved he could be trusted with main stories and was always keen to listen and learn. He was accurate and journalistically sound with a good eye for a story.
He made a significant contribution during his time with us. I have no doubt he will be a successful journalist and an asset to future employers.”
Media Wales
During January 2011, I spent two weeks in Cardiff working at Media Wales. The company oversees a number of newspaper titles, including the daily South Wales Echo, the Western Mail – while running their online operations as Wales Online.
My time in the Welsh capital was dominated by reporting for both the Echo and YourCardiff, a sub-section of the main website which reports purely on grass-roots matters relating to Cardiff.
Upon completion of my time in Cardiff, Wales Online’s Online Communities Editor Ed Walker wrote this kind reference:
Andy fitted straight into our online team and showed great initiative to get out and get stories. He came bursting with ideas and within his first week had helped put together a front-page splash on Cardiff’s new local development plan and the threat to greenfield areas in the city.
Andy was confident covering council meetings and assisting reporters with panels and getting extra quotes for stories.
He also showed a good eye for photos, pulling together a story about the amount of dogs going unwanted at rescue centres after Christmas – nothing gets people going more than cute puppy pictures!
Andy did so well in his time here he got picked up on by the Manchester Evening News and invited in for trial shifts. There were lots of positive comments about Andy around the newsroom, with many senior reporters and news editors impressed by his writing.
University projects
As part of my final year at UCLan my classmates and I have to produce a weekly newspaper, which is then assessed and contributes towards our final degree grade.
For our assessed newspaper, The Preston Journal, I took up the role of Chief Sub, while also taking responsibility for the website.
Other projects I played a role in at university include the BBC award-winning ‘Preston Cuts’ and ‘The Hotpot’.
The Preston Cuts was a cross-platform exercise in which I was Executive Editor. My colleagues and I produced a special newspaper supplement, broadcast output and live online coverage.
The Hotpot is a showcase for events and work by staff and students from the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at the University of Central Lancashire.
Michael Williams, former Deputy Editor of The Independent on Sunday and UCLan Senior Lecturer offered this glowing reference:
Andy Halls is one of my third-year undergraduate students and among other projects he worked as Executive Editor of ‘The Preston Cuts’, a multi-platform operation covering the Coalition Government’s Spending Review last year.
The team led by Andy went on to win the BBC’s Innovation Award for their simultaneous digital, broadcast and print coverage, which was competitive with the output of the national media.
I regard Mr Halls as an extremely promising young journalist – able to work confidently across all platforms. He operates with the highest standards, both in his own work and as a leader of others.
