Join in the in-person Ireland student seminar to hear from a great line-up of speakers and ask questions to journalists in the room.
The NUJ is holding its biennial free student seminar at 7 pm on 7 November in the PorterShed, Galway City.
'Making The Headlines: Pursuing A Career In Journalism,' is a great opportunity for the next generation of journalists to learn from experts in their field.
Chaired by Stephen Corrigan, NUJ Irish Executive Council member, and journalist with the Connacht Tribune, the event's speakers are Siobhan Holliman, Teresa Mannion, Máire T. Ní Mhadaoin and Lorna Siggins.
Students are invited to attend and hear advice about what to do and what to avoid when starting out in a career in journalism. There will also be other tips about being a journalist shared, and a Q&A session will provide the opportunity to put questions to the panel and gain valuable insight.
Following the Q&A session there will be a wine reception, with a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink, along with a chance to speak with a working journalist directly. As well as the five speakers at the top table, there will be journalists in the audience available to talk to you during the reception.
Please email [email protected] to apply for a place at this seminar. Admission to the event is free but you must book a place in advance. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
If you are not yet an NUJ member, you can apply for membership online.
Biographies
Máire T. Ní Mhadaoin has worked in the broadcasting sector for over 20 years. As a multi-media journalist with Nuacht RTÉ/TG4, she has reported on a wide variety of topics including elections, Irish language issues, health, housing and sport.
The Conamara woman now works as a Chief Sub-Editor based in Nuacht RTÉ, Baile na hAbhann, Co Galway. Previous overseas assignments include human interest documentaries on the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka and a documentary on a primary care clinic in Malawi which was established by an Irish mother whose son died in a swimming accident at Lake Malawi.
Prior to news broadcasting, Máire T. Ní Mhadaoin worked in live sports production and in children's programming. The Bachelor of Commerce and Higher Diploma in Education graduate of University of Galway previously worked in the business sector and in education.
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio journalist, specialising in marine issues. She is a former Irish Times journalist, initially based in Dublin and covering national and international issues, including the outbreak of war in Yugoslavia, the first Irish ascent of Mount Everest from Tibet and an Irish Shackleton expedition to Antarctica. Latterly, she was based in Galway as Irish Times western and marine correspondent. Currently, she works for RTÉ Radio 1, The Sunday and Irish Independent, Afloat marine news website and the marine press.
She is author of several books, including Everest Calling (1994 and 2013) on the first Irish ascent of Everest; Mary Robinson: The Woman Who Took Power in the Park; Once Upon A Time in the West on the Corrib gas controversy; and Search and Rescue: True Stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescue and the Loss of Rescue 116. She won a Celtic Media award with co-producer Sarah Blake for the RTÉ Radio Documentary on One, Miracle on Galway Bay (2021).
Siobhán Holliman is an experienced journalist who has been working in regional broadcasting and newspapers for over 20 years.
A graduate of University of Ulster Coleraine and NUI Galway, earlier this year she was appointed Editor of The Tuam Herald, one of the oldest independently owned newspapers in the country. She is the first female editor of the paper in its 187-year history.
Siobhán has been the NUJ nominee on the Press Council of Ireland since 2019 and has served as a Regional Newspaper representative and as Cathaoirleach of the Irish Executive Council of the NUJ. In 2020, Siobhán was appointed by the Taoiseach as a member of the Future of Media Commission in Ireland.
Teresa Mannion is an RTÉ journalist based in Galway but she has worked with the national broadcaster across a variety of areas.
After completing her third level media studies at the former College of Commerce in Rathmines, Teresa became a children's television presenter on Youngline for which she won a national Jacob's Award. She went on to present other programmes in RTE's Young Peoples department, including the quiz show 'Top Club', a live programme for teenagers called 'Blockbuster' and a science show called Zero.
During a summer break Teresa got work in the RTE Newsroom as a reporter and ended up staying! She worked on the main tv desk, reported for Morning Ireland and was a presenter and reporter on Oireachtas TV.
During a stint in America, Teresa spent a summer working with CNN in Atlanta and worked alongside field producers and correspondents as a content gatherer and occasional guest panelist. She later returned to RTÉ after successfully applying for a fulltime staff position.
Teresa moved to RTÉ Galway in 2007 where she worked alongside Jim Fahy for many years. She continues to work here with her colleague Pat McGrath and is married to the Editor of the Connacht Tribune, Dave O'Connell. They have two grown up sons, Cian and Tom.
Teresa says her career has been varied and interesting with no particular 5 year plan.
"It's important to have dreams and goals and to go after opportunities as they present themselves. But in my experience it's best not to be too rigid in the pursuit of a career in the media. Who would think a kids' presenter would end up as a news reporter! But the early camera training and script writing stood me in good stead when I learnt my trade on the newsroom factory floor. And during college I did an internship in RTE Radio One aswell where I was allowed to package some vox pops and features. A spell as a researcher on afternoon TV also helped. Ultimately everything I learned gave me the confidence to wander into the office of Head of News at the time and ask for summer work.
The media landscape has changed beyond recognition and the 24/7 demands are relentless. But the core values of truth and accuracy and impartiality must remain in place to safeguard journalism going forward. For me, the most important asset a young journalist can bring to the table, the laptop, the newsdesk, is an open enquiring mind and a hunger for a story. Good story telling is still at the heart of what we do regardless of the technology. And remember everybody has a story to tell."
