Chris
Lockyer

Chris Lockyer graduated from NTU in 2018, with an MA in Broadcast Journalism, and is now an Arts and Entertainment Reporter for Sky News. Chris tells us about his passion for his field of work, and how NTU and the student radio station, Fly FM, helped him get to where he is today.

Why did you choose to study at NTU?

I’d been working at NTSU for a couple of years at that point and decided to take the opportunity to try something I had always wanted to do. I had a background in education and student politics, but I knew deep down I’d always wanted to go into journalism. I spent an afternoon at an open event and chatted to staff and students to see if it’s what I wanted to take on. I knew that the department had a stellar reputation too – something really important to me as I wanted to have good career prospects.

What did you learn – both inside and outside of lectures?

Inside lectures and workshops, I learned everything I possibly needed to know to get into a career in the news. Everything from law, policy and sociology, to editing videos, reading a news bulletin or directing a show. You also got first-hand knowledge from lecturers who had been in the industry for years and knew exactly what they were talking about, as well as from a specialist tech team just for the journalism courses.

Outside, it was all about Fly FM. The student radio station changed my life and I’m not sure I would have landed a job without it. I was given the chance to host and produce radio shows on the station, which had industry level equipment and software where you could hone your craft and style. There was also Trent TV, which did the same but for visual content, which often hosted entertainment and news shows for NTU students.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your career so far?

Sitting in a room with Tom Holland and Henry Cavill on the same day for various junkets. Both of those interviews were really fun – Holland in particular. The stories got picked up around the industry after I picked up a mini-exclusive with Holland and I ended up making an end of year show on the channel with the year’s best interviews.

What are your plans for the future?

Who knows! I have a young family and I love my job. I’d love to work through the ranks, but I also love writing and producing too. I really don’t know what the future looks like!

If you had a time machine, what would you go back and tell yourself at uni?

Be more daring. My industry is all about taking risks and doing something interesting.