Creative & Digital Media Apprentice Review

Job Title: Apprentice (Mainly working as a researcher) Daily Tasks: Library/Internet research, contacting sources and looking for stories. Sourcing archive, logging and ingesting rushes, etc. Daily Interactions Internally: Liase with researchers, producer, archive, PMs, and post production. Daily Interactions Externally: Liasing with image archive companies, contributors for the program, etc.

I have developed my research skills, sourcing archive skills, shooting skilsl to some degree. i have gained a good general awareness for production and what's involved in the process as well as a great understanding of the administration processes of the BBC and how to get things done.

I have enjoyed my first sting with paid work in the Media. It's been a good experience although not exactly what I expected. The work has been, it's always nice having your creative input valued.

This varies from day to day. Some days very, some days not so much. I think this more depends on individuals than a company as a whole.

It feels like it's been thrown together and done on the fly. I have nothing to compare it to really but that's the general vibe as we are expected to make opportunites for ourselves. It's good that we are thrown into roles and given the opportunity to sink or swim - being in the workplace, every minute of it is good experience... good or bad you're learning something you can take away. But some of the year is dedicated to college work to gain a certificate of some sort which if I'm honest seems like a waste as there isn't an employer on this earth who would give you work based on that.

There are a few different people in the role of offering support. They are all very supportive and offer advice whenever you need it. I cannot fault the people in place now. Although there was someone who recently left that seemed to put little effort in for any of us and was more concerned with other things. But, the people in place as of now, have all been fantastic. I flagged up a big issue recently and all advisors were very quick to offer me advice and help me in my situation.

The placement itself has given me many training opportunities and opportunities to be in real life BBC production working environments which is invaluable. The more you put in the more you get out of it, it's essentially in your own hands to prove yourself and to what level you should be supported. Again this comes down to individuals also...

This is definitely a negative, I get that you this is a great opportunity and potentially worth the sacrafice but, living in London on £11,000 per year is borderline impossible. The most junior roles in the BBC would be at least double this - which would be a difficult wage to live on also. The placement should offer free travel year-round and pay at LEAST £16,000.

Yeah the BBC has lots to offer in these departments through the BBC Club although I haven't partaken.

Yes

I think once you get over the hump of being new it's a great place to work, especiallty if you come in with a specific skill and role to fill. It's a creative environment full of creative people that pays well. (If you're not an apprentice)

The application process is very thorough and offers a lot of room for creativity. Be creative, be different, and make sure you talk-up things you've done, don't be vague. Also, when pitching your TV Show think of audience and timeslot, who is it aimed at? etc. The interviews and assessment days were also very thorough, you have to plan a radio program from start to finish in a group of your competitors, schedule auditions for a TV show and then an in depth 40 minute panel interview. In the radio excercise, don't talk too much, be sure to listen and make what you do say count. Keep everyone involved, drive everyone to stick to the task at hand, keep referring to the objective and value people's opinion.