On the Mark: Local Students Hear from National Sports Journalist
On 15th October, Skipton International invited renowned sports journalist Mark McQuillan to Jersey to speak to the island’s sixth-form students about careers in sport journalism.
The Skipton-hosted event saw Mark speak to a packed room of media and physical education students from across the sixth-forms at The Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa. Students interested in a career in sports journalism or journalism more broadly were offered a rare look at how to excel in this competitive industry.
Mark has more than a decade’s worth of experience and currently presents and reports for Sky Sports News, ITV News, and 5 News. Prior to this, he was well known in the Channel Islands as a presenter for Channel TV, anchoring its flagship 6pm programme for seven years before moving into the world of national media.
Mark shared personal experiences, industry tips, and practical advice on how to navigate the evolving landscape of media; where digital platforms, multimedia storytelling, and social media play increasingly crucial roles. Students asked insightful questions to better understand the requirements and demands of the career.His talk also touched on how the disciplines required for success in sport can also be applied to succeed in careers beyond journalism.
While on Jersey, Mark also spoke at an Institute of Directors (IoD) breakfast event. Attendees from the local business community heard Mark’s insights into how the strategies, discipline, and mindset required for athletic success can be adapted to business environments.
Mark commented: "Living and working in Jersey was an incredibly special and rewarding time for me, so the opportunity to come back and speak to the island's sixth-form students is one I relished. The Channel Islands provides a unique and exciting platform for those wanting to pursue a career in the media. It was great to reflect on my time at ITV Channel, my passion for sport and current work - including presenting for Sky Sports News - and the opportunities that has provided.”
"It was wonderful to hear from the students about what they want to achieve, whilst giving advice, tips and insight on what to expect and how you can stand out and build a successful career."
Kaz Veljovic, Chief People Officer at Skipton International, said: “Nurturing the talent of tomorrow is a key mission for Skipton and we thoroughly enjoyed encouraging Jersey’s children to explore new paths and consider careers in fields they might otherwise have not considered.”
