Case studies - Milly McMahon
East London based Milly McMahon is 22 and already a prolific young journalist. Her work has appeared in several magazines and she has worked as a news reporter for the BBC.
“I've always been aware that l have an unusually quirky stream of consciousness, I can amuse myself in my own thoughts for hours! I was a bit too timid to say what went on in my head when l was younger so l used to write it down and then let people have a cheeky peak. After a bit of approval l decided l liked the attention and could get used to the limelight a bit more so entered into the BBC young reporter’s scheme.
I then went on to develop my skills in college and at university. I’ve never been academic so l engaged more with work experience programmes and internships. I’ve interned for Let Them Eat Cake and Dazed and Confused magazine and both magazines commissioned me to write for them during my time there.
Some of my writing is based around fashion and l assist stylists on shoots. I assisted on the denim themed shoot of Dazed Tokyo a few weeks ago. It’s a great experience. I was surrounded by Balenciaga, Dior and all kinds of the most exquisite couture. I loved every minute!
I customise my own clothes label Frilly Milly and sell in thrift markets. l recently helped style my own shoot with the clothes which was shot professionally.
In my spare time I work as a freelance journalist and earn pocket money writing press releases. I’ve written for the Lovebox festival, cult parties and the Young Achievers programme.
I love keeping busy and always having a project on the side. Right now I'm an ambassador for Campus group and Vitamin Water and l’ve recently started working with the Freaky Jason Magazine, an East London fanzine. I interviewed Twisted Sister last week. Every day is exciting because journalism is so full of opportunities. l travel and meet new people all the time.”
Have you got an area that you'd particularly like to write about?
”I love interviews. Getting to ask people the questions you just aren’t allowed to in real life. There’s always that little voice in my head saying 'you can't ask that!' The buzz you get feeling a wincey bit nervous before you meet your subject keeps me on my toes and pushes me to really squeeze every last drop out of the interview.
I really enjoy reviews, news and events reporting and features writing. I'm so bowled over by all of it now l just seize every opportunity. My advice is try it, the worst that can happen is you end up feeling like a fool, but l am a fool, so.... job done!”
What advice would you give a young person wanting to go into journalism professionally?
“Get involved and try it. Journalism is great because it opens doors to many other opportunities. Even if you don't know what you like you get to write about things you would never normally encounter and find out about the weird and wonderful things you never knew were hidden away in elaborate corners of the earth. It’s opened up my eyes to the world in wonderful ways. I listen to music l wouldn’t usually and ended up adoring it, visited places l never knew existed and stayed for weeks, spoken to people who have inspired me to recognise things himself l never had the confidence to pay attention to before and fallen in love with everything l've written about!”
Why do you think it’s important to support young people's talents?
”I think that young people add more diversity to the professional world. If the world carried on turning, churning out little carbon copies of those who came before us it would be a boring, mundane existence. It’s OK to fall down, be awkward and learn, that’s the beauty of youth. Mistakes allow you to mould new ideas. It’s refreshing to feel undermined and silly sometimes because it takes you right back to square one and presents you with a fresh page. Every time l get rejected or ignored l get a burning sense of determination to turn the failure into a greater success. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
How do you think schools can help young people to develop their ideas and have the confidence to take them forward?
“I think schools should allow young people to express themselves more. I'm talking about identity. When l was at school l had to have a ''normal'' haircut, adhere to strict school uniform regulations and only speak when l was spoken to. Today kids are really liberated by the new technology they spend their time engaging with. They have skills that they are fully aware the teachers in front of them have no idea about. More discussions and room for learning from both parties is necessary.”
