.....A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far Away

OK, so it wasn't that long ago, July to be precise, when I started the Catch 22 course but those weeks have flown by so quick that it almost feels like its been that long. Since being accepted onto the course back I've reported on a rape trial, been on a first date using 1950s etiquette and been to Seven Sisters police station....all in the name of journalism.

Catch 22 is all about championing young, undiscovered writers with a hunger to get into journalism, and helping them break into the industry through its internship placement scheme.

I'm 22 and graduated last year with a degree in ICT, yet despite people telling me the world was now my oyster I knew that it wasn't for me and so spent a year in limbo, doing nothing but working, (in retail of all places). However everything changed for me when I was told to get in contact with the course coordinator Sharon by a friend, a phone call followed by an interview later, I found myself sitting in a room introducing myself to the other Catch 22 inductees, thinking how the next year was going to play out now that I was doing something I really wanted.

For more dramatic and probably more colourful ways people have found themselves on the Catch 22 course click on one of the following links below to see blogs describing their initial experiences.

• http://yourtasteofindia.blogspot.com
• http://www.catch22student.blogspot.com
• http://skyecatch22.blogspot.com
• http://c22experience.blogspot.com
  

Toks the big daddy when it comes to all things Catch 22 (its his baby) describes the course as a virtual dojo where we practice using techniques and tools essential to becoming an established journalist. From my experiences so far I'd have to say he's right, because whilst on the course I feel as if I'm given a mental workout, from having to come up with a spin on a story from the daily press to being told to go and report on anything I want in the surrounding area of Seven Sisters.

We're constantly kept on are toes whilst at the academy, which makes the experience all the more challenging if a little unnerving at times.