|
I want to be a Caris reporter!I want to be a Caris reporter!
Rachel Butcher writes:
“HAVING been offered the chance to go to London to interview Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for International Development, I had to prepare my questions early because his department had asked that we submit them early so that he would be prepared for us! “It was really difficult deciding what to ask, so I looked up ‘Douglas Alexander’ on the internet hoping for some inspiration.
“On the morning the interview I met up with Christine (Caris editor) and the other two Caris reporters in a small café. We went over the questions and shared them out between us. We tested the dictaphones and prepared our notes, while enjoying yummy Danish pastries — mmm!
“Once we had got everything ready, we went round the corner to the Department for International Development offices. We posed outside for the camera looking very smart and important!
"Once inside, we got our passes and a lady escorted us through the barriers and into another waiting room. She told us to address the Minister as ‘Douglas’ rather than ‘Minister’ or ‘Mr Alexander’ — this sort of surprised me, but I was glad to be told in advance.
“As we went in to meet him, he shook our hands. He was kind looking and I didn’t feel belittled by him, even though he is an important politician.
“I felt that he answered most of our questions well. But sometimes he did seem to avoid the real answer, and focused on how he wanted to change things — which I guess is a good thing. It was a little difficult to pin him down, so Christine helped us out.
“At times during the interview I was worried I hadn’t taken enough notes, because I was listening so closely to what he had to say. I felt that I learnt a lot more about interviewing people and making sure you get them to answer your questions.
“Ed Balls should watch out because he’s the next person I’d like to interview about children and education in the UK!”