Graduate takes break from Downing Street to return to university

A UNIVERSITY of Salford graduate took time off from accompanying the Prime Minister on her busy schedule to give advice to journalism students.

Robert Midgley, a former journalism and broadcasting student who is now Digital Communications Manager at No 10 Downing Street, returned to the University’s MediaCityUK campus.

After graduating in 2012, Robert has worked as a multi-media journalist and video journalist for The Mirror and The Telegraph but earlier this year he moved into a communications role and landed the coveted position working at the heart of government.

Robert, who had recently returned from accompanying the Prime Minister round Africa, talked about getting started in the industry and what it is like in the current climate.

Students from the University’s journalism, broadcasting, and multi-media programmes as well as from the newly introduced PR courses for undergraduates and MAs, turned out to hear what he had to say.

Robert regaled them with stories of flying to Africa to film the PM meeting world leaders and also his experience at the G7 summit.

He stressed, more than anything, the importance of becoming multi-skilled and gaining work experience and contacts while at University, adding: “The University of Salford had the facilities to accommodate my extreme needs to make media and with it being based at Media City it was definitely the place to be.”

Whilst studying for his degree Robert got actively involved with Shock Radio and Quays News along with also creating his own You Tube travel channel where he filmed and edited vlogs.

By the time he had graduated Robert already had a portfolio of work to demonstrate to prospective employers all the skills he had learnt.

Robert has fond memories of his time at the MediaCityUK campus and was thrilled to talk to current students.

He said: “Coming back here is very much like coming home in some ways because it is where it all began. If I hadn’t have come to the University of Salford I don’t know where I would be right now.”