At a glance: 

• Quench Magazine 
• Country & Town House Magazine 
• South Wales Argus 

I have been involved with Quench Magazine since the beginning of my first year at Cardiff University. I initially joined as a contributor before progressing to Fashion Section Editor in my second year. In my third year, I was honoured to step into the role of Deputy Editor-in-Chief, collaborating closely with my co-editor and the Editor-in-Chief to oversee the publication.

In January 2025, I was honoured to be named Best Journalist in Wales by the Student Publication Association for my work at Quench Magazine. 

The SPA panel commended my deep understanding of subject matter and my ability to present it in an engaging way, noting:

“Olivia displays a deep understanding of her subject matter and puts her knowledge to good use, exploring items in depth and in a way that is engaging to a reader. Her idea to follow student journeys after university, via Quench Beyond, is to be commended for its innovation.”

Under my leadership, Quench Magazine was also awarded multiple accolades, including Best Publication, Best Digital, and Best Design (Print) in Wales. These achievements reflect the collective efforts of our talented team and our shared commitment to excellence in student journalism.

As Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Quench Magazine (2024–2025), I played a key role in shaping the publication’s editorial and visual direction. Working closely with the Editor-in-Chief and my co-editor, I contributed to the overall vision of each issue—conceptualising themes, selecting articles to feature in each publication and overseeing content production and design.

A significant part of my role involved developing and refining magazine concepts, including curating themes, coordinating photoshoots and ensuring cohesive storytelling across both print and digital platforms. I was also heavily involved in the design process, utilising Adobe software to lay out pages, refine visuals and maintain the magazine’s creative identity.

In addition to my editorial and design responsibilities, I was instrumental in developing Quench Beyond, an initiative aimed at supporting students transitioning from academia to professional careers. Originally launched in February 2024 as Quench’s post-graduate section, the concept evolved after I recognised a shared challenge among student journalists: the lack of a dedicated space to support the transition from student journalism to professional work.

Quench Beyond now focuses on interviewing Cardiff University graduates working in the creative industries, offering real-life career insights, practical guidance and a sense of community for students navigating life after graduation. This project became a vital addition to the magazine, providing valuable resources to help students bridge the gap between their studies and professional careers.

Notable interviewees include:

• Sasha Nugara: Property Reporter at The Times
• Jasper Wilkins: Senior Producer at the BBC
• Mared Parry: Award-Winning Journalist, Welsh Language Advocate & NSPCC Activist
• Rosaleen Moriarty-Simmonds OBE: Artist, Inspirational Speaker, Media Presenter, Campaigner & Former High Sheriff of West Glamorgan

I also oversaw a team of over 40 editors, designers, photographers and illustrators, ensuring smooth collaboration across all aspects of the magazine’s production. This role allowed me to blend editorial leadership with creative direction, ensuring each issue of Quench was both visually striking and editorially compelling.

During my time as Fashion Section Editor at Cardiff University's Quench Magazine (2023–2024), I gained invaluable experience working within a publication and collaborating with a team to produce both print and online content. In addition to contributing my own writing, I had the opportunity to review and edit numerous submissions from our contributors, providing me with hands-on editorial experience.

While in this role, my work was also recognised at the Cardiff Student Media Awards 2024, where I was named runner-up for Best Article and Best Section.

My responsibilities included leading regular pitch meetings with my co-editor and the Editor-in-Chief to develop article ideas, set word counts and establish deadlines. I co-ordinated with contributors, assigning articles and ensuring smooth communication throughout the process. As deadlines approached, I reviewed and edited all submissions, created a timeline for publishing online articles, and submitted print pieces for final approval by the Editor-in-Chief.

Beyond my editorial duties, I also managed Quench Fashion's social media presence on Instagram and Facebook. My co-editor and I regularly posted updates on online pitches and articles, as well as designed graphics to promote content and engage our readership.

During my two-week placement at Country & Town House — a leading luxury lifestyle magazine covering culture, interiors, travel and style — I gained hands-on experience in both digital and print publishing. I wrote two articles published on the magazine’s website, incorporating SEO best practices to optimise readability and engagement, and secured my first print byline in the September/October 2024 issue, a milestone that felt like the first real step in my journalism career.

This opportunity meant so much to me, and seeing my name in print for the first time was surreal! Beyond writing, I worked on fact-checking, compiling industry insights and assisting with content curation across multiple platforms. I edited web content with keyword research in mind, ensuring articles were structured for search visibility while maintaining Country & Town House’s refined editorial tone. I also liaised with PR contacts, contributed to social media research and helped refine articles for both digital and print publication.

This placement sharpened my ability to balance creativity with precision in a fast-paced editorial environment. More than that, it reinforced my passion for magazine journalism and the excitement of seeing my work out in the world.

During my one-week placement at the South Wales Argus — a key regional newspaper covering breaking news, politics, community issues and culture — I had the opportunity to immerse myself in fast-paced newsroom journalism. I researched and wrote multiple news stories, some of which were published online, and one of my articles was featured in their print edition.

This experience was particularly meaningful as it was my first time working in a newsroom environment. Seeing how stories unfolded in real time, speaking with sources and writing under tight deadlines gave me a new appreciation for the role of regional journalism in keeping communities informed. I worked on press releases, edited copy and assisted with fact-checking, all while adapting to the immediacy and precision required in news reporting.

This placement strengthened my ability to write concisely, work efficiently under pressure and engage with a readership that relies on timely, accurate reporting.