Digital Journalism Apprentice Review

As a Digital Journalism Apprentice, I work more on the digital side currently. I work on a desk with trained staff, and often shadow radio producers and people who are producing digital content. I've made my own digital content from radio and podcast broadcasts, and worked on pitches/commissions/social strategies, all of which is really integral to modern journalism. I also have the opportunity to go out with trained and seasoned reporters to experience live broadcasts and interviews.

I've learned a lot about making videos and news packages, and then editing them from scratch. I can now do this confidently. I've also had a lot of training on different apps for photo and video editing, and now feel confident to create things with these apps. I've also learned about interview skills, and have training weeks coming up which focus on radio and TV training. In the college side of the apprenticeship, I've developed writing and presenting skills, as well as learning about law, politics and regulations.

The programme is great, and I feel like I'm really learning about the career, and like I'm actually becoming able to work alone. I enjoy being in the classes, and in the office actually working on a team. I would like more opportunities for shadowing and experience before creating our own content, for example: interview experience, but it's also useful to learn on the job. I'm really enjoying it so far, and I'm excited to finish the exam portion and focus on the long term placement.

As an apprentice, I feel very valued by the BBC. Experienced staff are keen to help and be involved, and we are frequently invited to different events and tours. Teams are always happy to have you there, and to help with whatever areas of the course you're especially interested in. Networking events have also been quite useful.

The programme is organised well, but it is very hectic. The majority of the study is done in the first two-three months, and requires a lot of dedication. However, commitment to the work is an important part of any apprenticeship, and the tutors are happy to help. The exam portion of the apprenticeship is over in under a year, so then there is more than a year to focus on the work aspect of the course. Ideally, the coursework section would be better suited in the long placement rather than during the first year, but this is not able to be changed.

We regularly meet with the leaders of our course to discuss how we're doing and any issues, and we can email at any time with questions etc. They're great at being there to explain anything or listen to a stressed rant. The college providing the qualification are also good with supporting us, especially with special educational needs. We get a lot of freedom to take notes/study in our own ways, and there are lots of resources to make use of on Google Classroom, so often you don't even need to contact the tutors.

My manager is really eager for me to get as much experience as possible, and is always looking for ways to get me on a new experience. Because of this, I have time planned with different programmes, and I've sat in on podcast recordings and live radio shows, and gone out with a reporter to experience live broadcasts and advance radio packages. This experience has been invaluable, and they're fab at making sure you're doing everything you need to, and are great with support.

The salary is much better than the average apprenticeship wage, and is fine for living day to day while finishing the apprenticeship. Travel costs are quite high in the city centre, but it would be the same if I were working full time and not doing an apprenticeship. My only complaint is that while we're working away and studying at college, we have to spend a lot of money on junk food and takeaways to eat. This money all comes back in expenses, but it would be better to have access to kitchens, where we could cook and stick to healthier food for less money, as we all get sick of Chinese food after five weeks of hotels.

There have been loads of opportunities to attend events such as networking events and talks. As the base is in the city centre there is plenty of opportunities to go out after work. There are BBC staff discounts in loads of local places, as well as vouchers online for cinema, etc. There's also the chance to go to some events as press to report on it, for example museum exhibitions, etc.

Yes

I already have one friend who is applying for the Software Engineering Apprenticeship. It's a great way to work towards a qualification, get real time experience, get an early-in for jobs after the course ends, and to get paid for doing the whole thing. The BBC paying more than the average apprenticeship means it's much easier to do not as a school leaver, and you can more easily support yourself.

Do research and preparation for the interviews and applications. Try hard and take your time. I did loads of research for the interview, and as such felt really calm even when getting a question that I hadn't prepared for. Let what you're passionate about show, and talk about it - don't be scared to show your opinions. However, it's also a good idea to look at the breadth of the balance around those opinions, to show better broad knowledge. Also watch the news. I still don't much as I prefer to read, and there are times when that doesn't help, and you need a knowledge of the kind of "voice" live and TV news take.