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 On a Graduate Traineeship
Age:
23
College
or University:
Jesus College, Oxford. I studied for a BA in
Geography. I did the course because I’ve always
been interested in ‘real’ issues like development
studies in Africa and the Middle East, and in
other foreign and exotic things.
Current
job:
Graduate trainee in programme production, 91¸£ÀûÉç
Wales. My aim is to be a producer/director of
factual TV programmes on travel and exploration.
I
saw the advertisement and the scheme looked
very interesting, so I put in an application
form. I then went through two interviews and
an assessment day, before being appointed. The
interviews were straightforward, but the assessment
day was all about team-working and problem-solving.
I had a hairy moment in the final interview
when I realised I didn’t know enough about the
industry. There were about 400 graduates trying
for 3 places, so it was pretty intense.
What’s
it like:
I’m on 4 placements of 3 months each in 91¸£ÀûÉç
Wales. So far, I’ve worked on 91¸£ÀûÉç Choice, which
was great. It was a small team, with plenty
to do, so I got a lot of hands-on experience
on a programme called ‘The Wrap’. My second
placement has been at 91¸£ÀûÉç Online, where I’ve
been working on developing three new websites,
two on music and the other for young people.
Best thing:
The best thing is that you get to be involved
in a range of programmes, and learn how they
all work. Looking back, I now realise how little
I knew about how the media ticks. Also, it’s
been great having input into stuff which makes
it on air, and seeing my name at the end of
programmes!
Worst
thing:
Not knowing enough about the relationships in
the media, and about the structure here, which
means I sometimes get confused about who’s doing
which job!
Advice:
The degree you do isn’t as important as gaining
skills from it. Also, it’s great to talk about
the other things you’ve done, so that people
can see you’ve got a life outside university.
In my interview, I talked a lot about my travels
to Nepal, India and East Africa. I also sail,
and organise nights in clubs.
Although
it’s nice to have experience, it’s just as important
for you to think about ideas on as ambitious
a level as possible, which don’t always have
to be related to the work you’re doing. Use
your own experiences to think up ideas, and
be original.
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