Currently involved in a live brief for the BBC I took it upon myself to get in contact with the BBC direct to ask them a few questions about work experience. I wanted to contact the BBC because they are a huge, successful business and I thought getting some advice from them would be fantastic.
1. Do you think that it is beneficial for students to have industry experience before graduating?
Absolutely. The more industry experience you can get, the better your chances of getting a job. You'll know what its actually like doing the job you are aiming for, get a network of contacts who can help you, and prove to a potential employer that you are ready to start doing the job for real.
2. Do you think graduates are prepared for the Design industry?
Not sure. Design isn't my area of expertise.
3. When receiving E-mails, Letters etc, What do you think makes a individual stand out when contacting you?
Showing that they've made the effort to get where they want to get. Volunteering to help out on college/ community projects in the area they want to get a job in. Any work experience or industry projects they've got involved in. A letter etc that's been tailor written, not that's just been copy and pasted from the other 10 they've sent out.
4. What is your attitude towards students contacting the company? Are you happy to help or do you get frustrated by the amount of emails you receive?
Its difficult because there isn't much we can do on an individual basis. The best thing to do is persuade your uni/ college to get involved. Usually i suggest people send their details to careers@bbcnorth.co.uk - that means you get info about events and training coming up and any job opportunities.
5. As the BBC is so big and well known, would you take on a graduate who had no industry experience? Unlikely. Not unless they really shone. But i think many smaller companies would say the same thing.
6. Do you think it is important for a design student to have a online blog? If so, what do you think are the benefits?
Don't know. don't feel strongly about it
7. What do you hope the re-location will bring for the BBC?
It’s about making the BBC closer to its audiences, if all the programmes and programme-makers come from London, it’s not surprising that a lot of shows are too focussed on what happens in the South East. By putting a major chunk of BBC output in the North, the BBC is committing to
· make content relevant for the whole of the UK
· develop creative industries across the UK
· put the BBC visibly at the heart of our communities
Salford will not just be ‘the BBC in the North West’ but will be BBC North, one of several ‘Creative hubs’ across the UK, delivering exciting output and great value for licence fee payers.
