Sidsel Senius
Positive, productive and passionate journalism intern
+45 2828 2120
sidsel.senius@gmail.com
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The Journalistic Dream
The heart behind
Ever since I wrote my first essay in elementary school, I have dreamed of one day being a writer. In my teenage years, I was absolutely certain that I was going to be a screenwriter. Drawing human stories with a pen has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. However, in my early twenties, it became clear to me that reality is more important than fiction.
Access to objective journalism is a human right in the democratic spirit, and it is paramount that people grow up in an enlightened society. Journalism connects us across classes, genders and continents, and it is more important than ever to know what is happening on the other side of the globe.
I want to delve deeper, create debate, and make the reader feel connected and reflective about our society. Whether written in a short format or a series of articles, the human story will always be my greatest driving force towards the journalistic career I dream of having someday. As your new journalism intern, I hope you allow me to take my first steps towards that dream.
My former university professor in the journalism program, Lene Rimestad, has written a personal recommendation for me, which can be read here.
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New York Film Academy
In the summer of 2024, I lived in New York for two months, where I studied an intensive summer semester in screenwriting at the New York Film Academy.
Living in New York, being part of a creative environment, meeting countless inspiring people, and immersing myself in what I love most, writing, was a dream come true.
I have learned everything about working narratologically with your story, finding your personal storytelling style, and writing a text that captures a special atmosphere, a familiar feeling, or a complex character that captivates the reader and audience. These are all learnings that I will take with me further in my journalistic career.
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Podcast School
In the fall of 2022, I was a student at the Podcast School at Gladiator Publishing House. While studying journalism, I have always taken writing classes rather than radio and TV classes because the written language has been the medium in which I have felt most comfortable and competent.
But in 2022, I decided to challenge myself by applying to the Podcast School, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. Now, I am completely skilled in the phases of the podcast medium, from idea to finished product.
I am proficient in speaking and interview techniques. I also know how to dramaturgically present your product, use mixing and sound design, and how to pitch your projects to major producers.
I can produce and edit my own podcast projects (and those of a future employer), which is a strong currency in a media landscape that loves the podcast medium.
I won the Special Mention award at Shortdox 2022 for a project I started at the Podcast School. Of course, I am incredibly proud of that. My teacher at Podcastskolen, Andrea Aagaard, has written a recommendation for me, which can be read here.
Documentary School
Alongside my studies, I was among eight lucky students accepted to the Documentary School. I have learned an incredible amount about narrative documentaries, and the genre has completely captivated me. I have become stronger at building a gripping dramaturgy and using different, engaging narrative methods, and I have also become excellent at clarifying ethical dilemmas in my work with sources.
The Documentary School is under the direction of two of Denmark's most talented documentarians: author Peter Øvig Knudsen and film director Jakob Gottschau, who both describe the study as a "… course for talents with ambitious documentary ideas." Working on my documentary project alongside my journalism studies has been intense, but it has been worth it.
Peter Øvig Knudsen (author, journalist and former Cavlings Prize winner) has written a recommendation for me, which can be read here.
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Copenhagen Art School
Poetry, fiction, opinion, prose, essay, biography, reportage, feature, manuscript. I love all genres of the written word.
I love it when a journalist or author captivates me with their words to such an extent that I miss a stop on the metro because I can't let go of their text.
I love being challenged, surprised, provoked, and impressed, and I love it when an author or journalist makes me dream of one day being as skilled a writer as they are.
In the spring of 2022, alongside the Podcast School, I was also a student at the Writing Program at Copenhagen Art School. The teaching at the Copenhagen Art School is based on "prima vista" reading in creative writing, where you discuss each other's texts in plenary.
The Writing Program has given me a deep and professional understanding of my own texts, their codes, my writing habits, blind spots, and my personal style. I have developed my writing skills enormously while also becoming a better reader myself. I have gained a language for assessing qualities in a text, and I can take those qualities with me when working on my own articles in editorial work.
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Politiken’s School of Debaters and Critics
In the first semester of my bachelor's degree, I was accepted to Politiken's School of Debaters and Critics; Politiken is one of Denmark's largest and most popular newspapers.
At the beginning of the course, debating with such sharp, politically engaged young people was challenging. But I grew three centimetres in those three months, and today, I like to have a lively discussion with a friend, a colleague, or a family member about society's big and small problems. A debate not only creates gaps but also builds bridges.
The better you understand those with whom you disagree, the better your chances of reaching a compromise to solve the problems united. So, in addition to the techniques I learned at the school, I also gained a greater respect for and love of the debate scene.
"The most important thing I learned as a student at Politiken's School of Debaters and Critics was that you should never write a debate post before you have had your morning coffee..."
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The Danish Advertisement School
"Spend 50% of your time writing your headline" - Don Draper.
"What is the difference between communication and journalism?" the examiner asked me during the entrance exam for my bachelor's degree in journalism. I had difficulty answering that because I had just emerged from the communication industry's self-proclaimed talent factory, The Danish Advertisement School - a year of teaching by some of Denmark's greatest creative thinkers.
Storytelling for story-making, brainstorming in open mode and closed mode, practising elevator pitches, devising content strategies, and carrying out campaign presentations for large, paying clients such as Home, Better Nights, the Danish Council for Safe Traffic, and Doctors Without Borders. What is an idea? Young Creative Circle Awards and Cannes Future Lions Awards. What is a great idea?
Today, I understand the difference. Communicators serve companies or organisations, and journalists only serve the public.
Nevertheless, I will take what I learned at The Danish Advertisement School to editorial meetings at my future internship. My brain is now automatically set to challenge conventional thinking with creative ideas, and my stage fright has also been thrown in the trash. I am practised at coding human insights and behavioural patterns, and I can use that learning to identify issues that journalism should illuminate.
Innovative Event Management
Over five weekends in 2023, I completed the largest event industry course in the Nordic region, which educated me on project management and event execution.
I have been given many tools that allow me to know how to best prepare a detailed plan for an event project. I have been taught management theory, project planning and stakeholder analysis. I have also been taught various business models, which contribute to ensuring that your concept is realistic, profitable and within your budget. In addition, I now also know how to seek sponsorships and other fundraising funds and what type of application you need to write if you want to succeed in raising capital.
This certificate has also given me the confidence to take on the role as moderator, and I will gladly be responsible for arranging a talk, a panel debate, or other forms of live journalism.
Emma Rosgaard, the course manager at Innovative Event Management, has written a recommendation for me, which you can read here.
CV Highlights
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Education
• New York Film Academy, Screenwriting, July 2024 to August 2024
• Innovative Event Management, January 2023 to March 2023
• Documentary School, November 2022 to April 2023
• Podcast School, Gladiator Publishing House, September 2022 to November 2022
• Writing Program, Copenhagen Art School, September 2022 to December 2022
• Politiken's School of Debaters and Critics, September 2020 to December 2020
• Centre for Journalism, University of Southern Denmark, September 2020 to August 2026
• The Danish Advertisement School, September 2019 to June 2020
• EUX Business, Aarhus Business College, August 2015 to January 2017
• HÖJSKOLENDK in the Caribbean, November 2014 to February 2015
• Zentropa (internship), January 2014
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Volunteer Work
• Runner on two independent short film productions at Jalabert Production and the movie company Jung
• SAWA, Santorini Animal Welfare Association, Greece
• Christmas Charity, St. Thomas, Caribbean (fundraising for a local organisation in the capital, Charlotte Amalie, which helps victims of violence and sexual abuse)
• Ridge to Reef Farm, St. Croix, Caribbean (farm work)
• Pearl B. Larsen School, St. Croix, Caribbean (teaching 4th and 5th grade)