Last week I took part in the most interesting work experience at the Bucks Free Press, writes Mariam Irfan.

As someone with a huge interest in journalism, I’ve really enjoyed this opportunity to learn about the workings of producing a paper; the aspect of it being local news has made it even more special as I’ve felt very connected to all the stories.

I began my week with a quick tour of the office by the office manager Calvin Hector and then got straight into looking at physical copies of the paper to understand the writing tone and style.

I was also shown the various sources of information used by the Bucks Free Press and used social media platforms like TikTok to find information about a tribute piece.

Throughout the rest of the week, I had plenty of opportunities to develop my writing and research skills.

I converted press releases into articles and got in contact with multiple local schools to gather information for a story about awards they'd won. Also, seeing my byline on the Bucks Free Press website was very cool!

What I enjoyed the most about my placement is how active and involved I could be.

My highlight of the week would be visiting the Coroner’s Court in Beaconsfield with Noora Mykkanen to report on some inquests, which was an unforgettable experience.

Although it was a tragic story, I learnt a lot about the proceedings of the Court and the importance of rapid note-taking skills in the industry.

I ended my placement by asking the team questions for my work experience journal, which really helped me understand the ups and downs of my career. Isabella Perrin provided knowledgeable insight into the industry and some good advice.

The whole week has allowed me to be very active and has taught me a lot of essential skills - and the friendly and sociable nature of the team calmed all my initial nerves.

Overall, it has been an amazing experience. I would recommend anyone interested in journalism to get in touch with their local newspaper, as there are so many amazing opportunities.

I think you’ll be surprised about how much you can get involved, and how much you learn and pick up in even just a small amount of time.