Title of job: Journaliste Présentateur (Journalist Presenter)

Languages studied for A level: French

Languages studied at university: French; BA Jt Hons French and English; 2:1.

University: Bangor

Best thing about the course: the year abroad

Where did you spend your year out? Paris.

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post? Yes!

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
I am a television presenter, news reader, journalist. I work now for France 24 a new 24 hour news channel based in Paris. I write and present the news and host a current affairs talk show each day.

Do you use your languages frequently? If so, in which situations? Everyday in life and work. France 24 is a bilingual, two channel service. I am an English presenter, but I work in a newsroom where every meeting and discussion and argument is in French.

What other jobs have you done since leaving university?
Most of my work career has been in television: Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol and London. Mostly with ITV and ITN, regional news and national news. Though I once sold sofa beds after University as I struggled to make my way in the world. that was funny!

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion? Being able to meet more people, have more fun, see and learn more things and have opportunites many people can only dream about.

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
Think again. Look at the bigger picture. At the end of my first year I was told I was so poor at French I should go for a single honours English degree. I believed French would make me stand out from the crowd and improve my job prospects. I was right, but it was not easy, I had to work at it, I used my year abroad well to improve my French, and my degree grade reflected that. I had to look ahead, to what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be. Now I'm here it's great but it would not have happened without being able to speak French. Languages take you places most people only dream about.
I'd also like to say Keith Marshall, my tutor, who was great. My Dad died at the start of my second year. Keith was very supportive as were the many friends I made at Bangor.