A one-of-a-kind internship with Peak District Mosaic
This blog was written by Maka Mutamiri, a Journalism graduate who joined us for a paid internship. She shares how she caught the Peak District love bug with us…
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If someone had told me I would be hiking in the Peak District for work in 2023, I don’t think I would have believed them.
After finishing a degree whether undergraduate or master’s there always seems to be that feeling of great uncertainty unless you are lucky enough to have secured a job straight after. For me, I had just finished my master’s in journalism and a graduate trainee programme.
I went through serval applications along with the multiple emotions one goes through when job-hunting. It was an emotional rollercoaster until I found a job posting on the University of Derby’s career and employment website.
The job was titled: Community and Accessibility Journalist intern and it was for this very organisation: Peak District Mosaic.
I read the description and immediately fell in love with the role and the charity’s mission. Suddenly it became everything that I had been looking for.
Since studying journalism at university I discovered there was this feeling, a sense of duty in me to use storytelling for positive change. Particularly for causes that promote equality, representation, and inclusivity for all.
I wanted to be part of the mouthpieces raising awareness, challenging societal norms, and encouraging those who have been unheard to share their stories.
Peak District Mosaic was offering me the chance to do just this in a way I never imagined before…Hiking and walking in one of the UK’s beloved National Parks.
I remember my first walk in the Peak District like it was yesterday. It was a 6-mile walk circling Bamford Edge which has a breath-taking viewpoint of the rest of Derbyshire.
Coming from a year of remote working and studying to hiking in the Peak District, I was definitely filled with some nerves at first. However, the excitement to get out into the great outdoors and experience the world’s hidden gems overtook the nerves by a long shot.
What an experience it was.
The route we took had one of the steepest hills I have ever been up even though I have lived in Sheffield for most of my life, it was a challenge.
With hiking, I feel like there is this universal feeling that everyone gets to experience after conquering a challenging hill or route. It’s the moment of victory, of perseverance to say “Wow, I did that!”
Not only that but when you look up and you see the stunning view before you and you realise it is all around you, how can you not fall in love with the Peak District?
In between taking pictures, videos and interviewing walkers and the leaders for the last 3 months, I got to experience each of these moments.
There are so many reasons why this is the best paid internship I have ever gotten the chance to do and trust me I have had a lot of internships.
One is how it brought me a new activity that I can now look forward to sharing with friends and family.
The next is the people. Every single walk I met new and wonderful people that I would never have met if it wasn’t for this experience. The team at Peak District Mosaic are so passionate about what they want to achieve for the Peak District and humanity so much that they fuelled my passion for it too.
To see so many faces of colour enjoying the outdoors is an image il never forget and now know is possible the more we share the Peak District with others.
So let me challenge you…
If you have never been to the Peak District before, get yourself some hiking boots and get out there.
Let it change your life for the better as it has mine then share with everyone you know.
Il see you at the next walk!
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At Peak District Mosaic we are a community.
We love meeting new people so if you are in need of some company outdoors, come walk with us. See our Upcoming events.
Enjoyed this blog, check out our last post: Inspired to make a difference in the Peak District
