By Heather Heartly
Paul Briden, 25, officially started his journalism career in January 2010 with a stint on the Western Morning News. But it could be argued he was born with a natural talent. His English teacher, Crosby “Chax” Chacksfield, first noticed his way with words in 2001.
Paul explains: “He taught me English at GCSE and Media at A-level and when I was doing some stuff during English lessons he said I was a good writer and should look at it as a career.”
Paul was too focused on history and art to pay attention to good advice, and went off to university to study archaeology.
“I spent the next three or four years after that trying to find my place in the world, eventually concluding that he was right all along and I should be a writer.”
Paul had plenty of experience in Archaeology, but after graduating he decided to try something new, and moved to Leamington Spa.
He spent a year working for ClientLogic, a company which provided broadband support for BT customers. But Paul was lacking a challenge and felt unconnected to his work. It was in 2009 that he got his big break, and one which would later become crucial to his journalism career. He began testing games for Codemasters and found he could combine writing, working and having fun. He later wrote a few game reviews that were published on his blog.
Further inspired by established journalists like Charlie Brooker, Ross Atherton and Nick Robinson, Paul moved back to Devon and got work experience on a local paper, Western Morning News, which gave him the assurance he needed.
Everything finally made sense: his love for language, entertainment and the creative arts could finally be combined to make – a career.
Paul is currently studying in Bournemouth for an NCTJ diploma in journalism, with modules in magazine journalism and big dreams for the future.
“I’d love to work as a magazine staff writer. I would hope to one day write for the sort of magazine supplements you get in the broadsheets, Times Culture and the like, but perhaps not as my main day-job,” mused Paul.
Fact File
BORN: Birmingham, 1985. Moved to Devon when he was six with a his parents and older brother.
EDUCATION: The King’s School, Devon.
University of Exeter.
CAREER: 2006 Graduates with a BA in Archaeology.
2007 Joins ClientLogic providing technical support for BT customers.
2009 Joins Codemasters testing computer games.
2010 Did work placements at Western Morning News, Plymouth, Express and Echo, Exeter.
Joined Up To Speed to take NCTJ Diploma in Magazine Journalism.
