2012
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When BA (Hons) Journalism| student Richard Bennett interviewed Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, he felt
an affinity. Richard is no rock star, but just like Ronnie, Richard has felt the full force of failure and success.
Richard had reached the top of the professional ladder as a buyer for a national retail company, when he realised he wasn't satisfied with his career.
Just as Ronnie Wood overcame addiction and discovered art, Richard discovered journalism. He successfully graduated and developed a more fulfilling career.
"I was 43 when I started studying for a BA (Honours) Journalism at Southampton Solent University. It changed has my life," said Richard.
Richard was in his final year and was on work experience at the regional paper, The Daily Echo and he voiced the idea to the features editor Andy Bissell who thought it was a great idea. Richard went on tour with Ronnie Wood and the resulting article fronted the Echo's magazine and made the nationals.
"I had just read Ronnie Wood's autobiography and heard that he wanted to talk about his art. I felt I knew where he was coming from and decided to interview him."
I saw someone reading my article and I believed I could make journalism my career.
You can't always control your life but if you turn up with an open mind things happen – and Solent helped," said Richard.
Southern Daily Echo Features Editor, Andy Bissell, added: "At the Daily Echo we are always happy to give students the opportunity to gain a real insight into journalism through working with us. It is particularly satisfying when mature students, like Richard, produce such pleasing results and enjoy the experience."
Richard's lecturers are proud of his achievement. "We are delighted with Richard's success. He worked very hard not only to secure the interview, but to get it published. Initiative and perseverance are essential journalist skills, which along with good cuttings, should secure that elusive first job," said Mary Hogarth, BA (Hons) Journalism| course leader.