Learn to listen to other people's opinions if you want to get on in journalism, advises Marc Webber, the new assistant editor (news) at British tabloid news site Sun Online.Mr Webber began his journalism career as a 16 year-old writing for the Port Talbot Tribune while also studying for his A levels. He then studied for a BA(Hons) in broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and landed his first full-time job at Kiss in Manchester (now Galaxy 102), where he was newsreader and sports reporter.
He went on to work at LBC "as Anne Diamond's producer and chief toast fetcher!", BBC WM (breakfast producer), Financial Times (editor, FT Radio and presenter, FTTV), TEAMtalk 252 (weekend editor), BBC Business Unit (producer, Breakfast and News 24 output), Press Association (duty editor, multimedia), Thisismoney.co.uk (deputy editor) and then The Sun.
Mr Webber has also worked as a freelance football reporter for Grandstand, Red Dragon Radio and written for FC Business magazine.
"The main part of my new job is to oversee the news coverage on the Sun Online and ensure we keep moving forward," said Mr Webber.
"I also work with Pete Picton (editor) on how we can keep ahead of the game on all aspects of the site. The main challenge is to move our news agenda forward, so that we cover the stories you'd expect the Sun to cover, but on a rolling basis."
Mr Webber's advice to journalists who wish to climb the career ladder is to use their head, and keep it cool.
"Common sense and a cool head are the main things you need. You have to be able to listen to other people's opinions and you can't jump to conclusions."
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