Michelle Johnson
Subject area: English
Course: BA (Hons) English
Level: Undergraduate
Year: Graduated in 2008
I studied BA (Hons) English at Brunel from 2005-2008, and was awarded the Gompertz Prize upon graduation.
I was the first in my family to go to university and conscious that I wanted to find somewhere that felt right for me. Brunel was one of the last places I visited and I was put immediately at ease by the great mix of people from all kinds of backgrounds. The strategic part of me noted the university's high record of graduate employment, while the rest was excited by its reputation for innovation. Brunel is well known for sports and engineering, but is no less brilliant at pushing forward research in the arts.
I was delighted with how the course was designed to allow students to forge their own path, and opted to study contemporary modules. We were led and supported by expert tutors who kept us engaged throughout and constantly encouraged to take an original stand or explore something new. My undergraduate dissertation was, as far as I know, the first to examine contemporary Romani poetry, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the enthusiasm of my course leaders – particularly Sean Gaston and Nick Hubble.
After graduation, I was commissioned to edit the biography of British Romani Maggie Smith-Bendell, Our Forgotten Years, and began working as a features writer and freelance journalist for various regional and national publications, including The Guardian, Drummer, Acoustic, Third Sector and Mwaah. I took my NCTJ qualifications in 2010, and in 2011 joined HELLO! Magazine as International Features Assistant.
It’s been a struggle at times, particularly during the credit crunch, but I think the skills learned from my tutors and classmates at Brunel were often what helped me stand out from the crowd. Most importantly, I was very lucky to share a class with so many talented, inspiring people, and I’m sure that the contacts and friends I made during my time at Brunel will remain with me for life.
I was the first in my family to go to university and conscious that I wanted to find somewhere that felt right for me. Brunel was one of the last places I visited and I was put immediately at ease by the great mix of people from all kinds of backgrounds. The strategic part of me noted the university's high record of graduate employment, while the rest was excited by its reputation for innovation. Brunel is well known for sports and engineering, but is no less brilliant at pushing forward research in the arts.
I was delighted with how the course was designed to allow students to forge their own path, and opted to study contemporary modules. We were led and supported by expert tutors who kept us engaged throughout and constantly encouraged to take an original stand or explore something new. My undergraduate dissertation was, as far as I know, the first to examine contemporary Romani poetry, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the enthusiasm of my course leaders – particularly Sean Gaston and Nick Hubble.
After graduation, I was commissioned to edit the biography of British Romani Maggie Smith-Bendell, Our Forgotten Years, and began working as a features writer and freelance journalist for various regional and national publications, including The Guardian, Drummer, Acoustic, Third Sector and Mwaah. I took my NCTJ qualifications in 2010, and in 2011 joined HELLO! Magazine as International Features Assistant.
It’s been a struggle at times, particularly during the credit crunch, but I think the skills learned from my tutors and classmates at Brunel were often what helped me stand out from the crowd. Most importantly, I was very lucky to share a class with so many talented, inspiring people, and I’m sure that the contacts and friends I made during my time at Brunel will remain with me for life.
