Apprentice Review

I have worked on DIY SOS so far and I have just moved to an NHU production called First Year on Earth. On DIY SOS I was a Runner, so I had to help with all the tools and equipment everyday when I was on location and keeping the volunteers on site happy and organised but when I was in the office I was responsible for making sure the store room was in order and that we had everything and if we didn't I ordered them. I also helped out the PC's and the Researchers with their tasks, doing a bit of Music Clearances and helping to put the Call Sheets together and calling up suppliers and clients and helping to book in deliveries for the build days and making sure hire cars and trains were booked. So far on FYOE I have done Transcriptions of the production and I helped with Kit List's and making sure it was all there and I've done some form filling about taking Batteries onto planes.

So far I have learnt about Copyrights and making sure that everything we use is cleared properly and follows the BBC's guidelines. I have leant how to keep myself organised in a fast turnover production like DIY SOS - making sure everything was done on time and that we had everything we needed. I have developed my ability to liaise with people in the office and with clients on the phone and via email which is an important skill and will be used through out my time here and the rest of my working life. Externally, during my college days I have learnt how to: use Photoshop, use a camera correctly and get the best quality images and videos, record sounds using various microphones and put them onto the computer and edit the files, use animation software and create title pages with it and I have leant how to use some basic coding.

I didn't really know what to expect when I started at the BBC but I tried my best to get out there and enjoy it and to apply for every opportunity that came my way. I really enjoyed my time at DIY SOS. I worked so hard some days and it could be very tiring but everyone that I worked with were so friendly and supportive in the office. There were such a strong team and they all welcomed me with open arms and there was a real feeling like you're one big office family. First Year on Earth has a smaller team than DIY SOS but there is still that bond and everyone again is so lovely and friendly. The BBC so far has been a really nice place to work and around I have met has been kind and generous with their time and knowledge

All the managers and staff that I have worked have been fantastic, they made me feel so welcome here at the BBC. I have helped FYOE with a presentation to the rest of the NHU about FYOE and what we will be filming and was recognised in front of everyone for helping out which was great because hopefully people were listening and maybe that's helped me put a bit of my foot in the door with moving on after my apprenticeship

I got to college every Wednesday, which is working out for me, but sometimes I have to miss a day here or there due to the office being busy, I feel if we had an allotted time at the end of the month or at the end of a few months to have college that would be better, but I'm still managing to get all my college work done and juggle work perfectly fine

We get fairly regular meetings with College Training Advisors and we can easily email the Talent Management about things to do with work if we have an inquiry. The meetings can be quite short sometimes and sometimes I do feel like I needed to ask more, but if that's the case then I email them afterwards.

Both DIY SOS and First Year On Earth have been really supportive and everyone in these offices have been really patient with teaching me new things like booking and ordering stuff on the BBC's internal systems. I have found it really easy to ask for help and I haven't found it embarrassing to do so.

I live fairly close to the BBC in Bristol so I bus to work and that costs me just under £50 a month to get a bus ticket. I can drive but parking around here is hard to come by and if I was to park at the local supermarket or the parking lot it would cost me about £15 a day hence why I bus. After paying rent (I still live with my parents but it's still a lot) and buying food for my lunches and tending to my car, I just have enough to have a comfortable social life if we kept it cheap and I spend wisely.

The BBC in Bristol have held a few events that have been outside of working hours and they have been rather interesting and fun. I haven't noticed any voluntary work opportunities here but that's not to say they don't have any. The BBC here does do a few classes/workshops but they are mainly work based thing to learn new systems or health and safety courses or to refresh you knowledge.

Yes

Even though I haven't yet finished my placement here, I have found it really rewarding and I have loved working here. The opportunities I have been given to go to places with the teams and to help them out have been amazing. I believe that this placement has really helped my personally too, my confidence has sky rocked and I can now talk to crowds of people in meeting and other places.

Do your homework I feel is the most important because sometimes it's great if you can drop in a few facts and figures about the BBC, especially during the one-to-one interviews you have after the online application parts. The application process is long so don't leave it to last minute. You can always save it and come back so do a bit every night. Keep going over what you have written.