The Unusual Suspects… #GEWUnusual

For those of you who don’t know, last week was Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012. “Eh?” I hear you saying. Well, in the words of the GEW people it’s “about growing enterprise ambition and ensuring that those with ideas know where to get the support they need to make them a reality.”

So basically it’s a week focused on finding amazing people who want amazing jobs and giving them amazing advice and information in order to help them do just that (my explanation just sells it that little bit better don’t you think?)

And so, jumping on the entrepreneurial bandwagon, Channel 4, ITV and the BBC all decided to come together to give TV hopefuls a chance to find out all about some of the amazing entry-level schemes within each organisation.

After all, if you want to work in TV, it doesn’t get much better than waking up and walking through the doors of C4, ITV or the Beeb (obviously you’d get dressed first, rather than just waking up and walking straight in the building. I know the media industry’s well known for its casual dress code but rocking up in your PJs is perhaps taking things a step too far…).

The Unusual Suspects: The Event

I was asked by the brilliant Marsha Witter (@marshawitter – Talent Scheme Manager at ITV) to take part in an evening of panel discussion and networking with industry managers, interns and apprentices. The aim of the event, held at Channel 4 HQ, was to dispel any myths that the media industry is only a viable career for the privileged, educated middle class. And, even if I do say so myself, we absolutely NAILED IT! The audience were diverse in every way, right across the spectrum of disability, ethnicity, experience and education.

Simon Devereux (@SimonC4People), the ‘mastermind’ of the whole event, kick-started proceedings by giving us all an overview of the night, before C4 Production Trainee Scheme Graduate Martin Sigsworth (@martinsigsworth) chaired the panel of Talent Scheme and People Development Managers from ITV, BBC and Channel 4 (Marsha Witter, Simon Wright - @spimon and Colin Campbell-Austin - @ColinC4People).

We then spent an hour or so doing ‘that networking thing’ that is normally so awkward and tiresome, except that on this occasion it was interesting and inspiring (a nice change from the commute home after a long day at work). Some of the people I met had degrees, some only GCSEs, some worked in shops, some were still studying, but the one thing that everyone seemed to have in common was passion. Everyone was at the event for a reason and everyone saw themselves with a future career in the media.

Marsha, Colin and Simon chatting/posing/

pretending to be discussing The Unusual Suspects...

Panel 2: The Interns and Apprentices

It was then time for the panel of interns and apprentices (including me) to take their seats (quite dauntingly) in front of the crowd. And here we are in all our glory:

Me – ITV Media Planner (@vickigreenfield), Channel 4’s Commercial 

Digital intern Grivas Kopti (@grivaskopti), BBC Apprentices Isma Iqbal

 (@isma_i) and Andrew Efah (@CasjGuyEfah), Channel 4 Business Admin

 Assistant Apprentice Gabby Power (@GabrielePowerX) and ITV Media 

Planner Luke James (@forwardslashed).

We chatted for well over an hour about how we found/applied for and were successful in our current roles. We took questions from Simon, from the audience and from Tweeters using the hashtag #GEWUnusual and we found out some interesting things…

Getting where you want to go in TV…

• There’s more than just the ‘obvious’ areas of TV out there. Broadcasters such as ITV, C4 and the BBC will have HR, Finance, Marketing, Technology, Business, Legal and Talent development departments. Something for everyone you might say!

• Any experience is experience. You may not have any industry-related work experience, but transferable skills from other jobs/training can be just as valuable in an entry-level media job. E.g. if you’re an absolute whizz at office admin or stacking shelves in Asda, chances are you’ll be a whizz at Production admin or dealing with TV talent.

• The most important thing to express in your applications is your passion for the industry/position you’re applying for. When you LOVE TV, make sure that everyone knows it! This also goes for the interview stage… when an ITV employer asks you (even just as small talk) what you thought of Saturday’s X Factor, DON’T tell them you have better things to do than watch rubbish singers making fools of themselves on national television! 

• Applications are not about buzzwords like ‘great communicator’, ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘hard-working’. Employers are looking for that passion about TV, a little bit of research about the role and some inkling that you’d really enjoy working with/fit in with their team.

• Whether you’re a graduate or have only just got your GCSE results (*cough* supergirl Gabby Power!), if you’re serious about a career in media, there ARE schemes available for you! It just takes a little time, patience and energy to make it to where you want to be! 

• BE YOURSELF! People say this all the time, but it’s most definitely true! Gabby told us a story about turning up to her C4 interview in a colourful dress and shoes whilst everyone else was in black suits and office wear. She felt a little silly until she saw a current employee cruise through the office in shorts and flip-flops (told you Media was casual!)! Andrew used his experiences of living in Brixton as an advantage in his interview and it only made him more interesting to the guys at the BBC!

• Ever been travelling? Taken part in a charity event? Have an interesting hobby? You’d be surprised how much experiences like these could influence your application or interview! Luke mentioned how impressed his boss was that he was a Drum and Bass DJ in his spare time and I’ve been asked about my Ski Season in France in almost every interview I’ve ever done! Believe me, when you work in an office day after day, someone who can mix records or scale snowy mountains is a refreshing change from the norm!

• Proof Read. For God’s sakes, proof read. When you’re one of 2000 applications, a spelling mistake can be the difference between a dream job and another month in that café serving coffee to people who don’t appreciate your talents (I feel your pain! I was once there!). 

• Keep an open mind! I went into TV looking for that ‘dream’ production job and instead ended up in Media Planning, a department I didn’t even know existed, and am now scheduling promotions on ITV1 every day!

• Be indispensable to your team! Once you’re in (especially if you’re an intern/apprentice), make yourself useful, use your initiative, and stay interested and keen. You’re much more likely to get hired/kept on if your team start to wonder how on earth they ever coped without you around!

• And above all, DON’T GIVE UP! If you’re passionate and persistent enough, you’ll get there in the end! Follow the above steps and you’re halfway there!

So my TV lovelies, chins up, keep motivated, follow the right people on Twitter, watch the shows you LOVE and apply for the jobs you’ll LOVE! And don’t forget to get in touch when you’re successful and loving life in the media industry!

Vicki,

your friendly TV blogger

P.s. Look out for info next year on a possible Unusual Suspects Part 2! I can feel your excitement already!

Find out more about The Unusual Suspects event here…