Ever wondered what it’s like to break exclusive stories? We spoke to three journalists working in data and investigative journalism to find out their top tips and advice for those trying to follow in their footsteps.
We heard from freelance investigative journalist Chris Matthews, The Sun news reporter Emily-Jane Heap and Times Higher Education data journalist Patrick Jack.
All three of these journalists completed their NCTJ diploma at News Associates.
Chris Matthews is a freelance investigative journalist and previously worked for the Daily Mail as a senior news features reporter.
Specialising in serious and organised crime investigations, he has covered stories such as the first interview with and photos of the ULEZ Blade Runners, tracking down and exposing Sharon Stone’s London stalker.
He has also done lots of on-the-ground reporting including Diogo Jota’s death and the Liverpool parade attack.
‘We’ll be knocking on your door’: Sadiq Khan’s Ulez enforcers lift driver’s BMW off driveway as they issue warning to motorists who dodge fines https://t.co/p6NtTOoZDt via @DailyMail
— Chris Matthews (@ByChrisMatthews) November 1, 2025
Emily-Jane Heap is an award-winning news reporter at The Sun.
She was presented with a gold award in the news and investigations category of MHP’s 30 to Watch: Journalism awards.
At The Sun, she has reported on Wes Streeting’s aide flashing a 13-year-old girl and the death at Oasis’ show at Wembley. She has also written for The Times, Vice and KentLive.
Honoured to have been named as a Gold winner in the News and Investigations category of this year’s @MHPGroup_ 30ToWatch Journalism Awards https://t.co/kN3xesfsp8
— E-J (@emilyjaneheap) June 6, 2025
Patrick Jack is a data journalist at Times Higher Education. He currently writes data-driven stories covering North America, including Trump’s attacks on universities.
He recently travelled to Tampa, Florida to cover Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit.
Previously, he has worked as a data journalist for Press Association and Manchester Evening News.
The attacks on universities by the Trump administration have proven that higher education has “enemies” among authoritarian populist leaders and left other sectors wondering when they will be next, it has been warned. @paddywjack reports from #GoingGlobalhttps://t.co/A02GTd4zfp
— Times Higher Education (@timeshighered) October 28, 2025
First jobs
Emily-Jane spoke about how she used her local newspaper to get her foot in the door.
She said: “Whilst I was on the fast-track course, I applied for a placement at KentLive.
“I did a day a week there and it began to progress into offering weekend shifts while on the course.”
She was then offered a full-time role and stayed there for six months before moving to Ferrari Press Agency.
Chris‘ first job was as a trainee reporter on the Daily Mail grad scheme.
He said: “It [the course at News Associates] was the easiest way to get my foot in the door.”
On the grad scheme he worked both in London and completed a four-month placement in Dublin for the Irish Daily Mail.
Before working at Times Higher Education and Press Association, Patrick completed his work placement alongside the fast-track course at Manchester Evening News. It was here there he began to specialise in data journalism.
He stressed that getting applications in early is key to success when it comes to securing your first job.
He also said it is important to bring a new skill or outlook to the newsroom.
He said: “If you can use Excel or analyse data then you can get the stories that other people perhaps can’t.”
After getting a few bylines during his placement, he was offered a full-time job at Manchester Evening News.
Article on my favourite subject, Manchester’s tram network. https://t.co/3ui1usECsE
— Paddy Jack (@paddywjack) November 5, 2018
Best advice to those starting out
Chris said: “Join the student newspaper, try and get as much experience as you can in whichever field you you can.
“Start ringing up your local press wherever you are, at uni or at home.”
Working in local journalism can teach you a lot of practical skills and get you comfortable in a newsroom.
EXCLUSIVE: Undercover footage shows Albanian drug dealer bragging about selling cocaine in Britain as we reveal gangs are using Facebook and TikTok to advertise for drug dealing jobs. Shadow Home Secretary @CPhilpOfficial: ‘This is a damning indictment of Labour’s failure to…
— Chris Matthews (@ByChrisMatthews) September 21, 2025
Emily-Jane also stressed the importance of student journalism.
She said: “Quite a few people I worked on the student paper with and worked with at The Tab have gone on to be really successful journalists.
“Write as much as you possibly can, try to make as many contacts as you can because you never know when someone can come in handy in the future.”
Patrick said: “Try to pick up some new skills to differentiate yourself.
“A lot of journalists that I work with can’t open a spreadsheet and can’t analyse figures unless they’re told how.
“Learn how to use Excel if you can, it is very straight-forward, isn’t too long and can give you one more string in your bow.”
Achieving a work-life balance in data and investigative journalism
When Chris started at the Daily Mail, he found the fast-paced nature of news reporting intense.
He said: “You pick up a pace, and if you don’t you can always go to a different desk.
“When I first started I was purely writing online copy and not going out of the office – about 15 stories a day!
“But then when I went to features it was one to three stories a week and much more relaxed.”
Emily-Jane said: “You certainly can strike a healthy work-life balance!
“It’s not all just news.
“I think a lot of people just kind of look at journalism and see news reporters and don’t think there’s anything outside or that but there’s lots of opportunities.”
You can find out about jobs across the industry including how to be a foreign correspondent or radio journalist by reading through our blogs.
Patrick said: “As a data journalist, we don’t tend to work incredibly long hours, we don’t work weekends.”
Being a specialist journalist means his hours aren’t as erratic as news reporters so his hours more regular.
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