According to Channel 4, I am part of Generation Next
According to Channel 4, I am part of Generation Next. Which is nice…but also kind of daunting– I mean, is this Channel 4 trying to tell me that their fate rests on my head? Probably not, but it is a cool thing to be part of…
Many people of ‘my generation’, including those who, like me, are knee deep in degrees, have no idea what career path they are going to take. There is no plan of action, just a kind of teeth-grinding, mind-numbing ‘ngggggghhh’ whenever someone asks ‘What do you want to do?’ This, I don’t mind so much – it’s when I tell people that I am studying on a theatre course that I get annoyed: ‘Oh so you want to be an actress!’ they declare…I usually shrink in my response…’Not so much.’ I say, ‘but I’d take the opportunity if it came my way.’
That’s what my ‘career journey’ has been so far, a bunch of opportunities that came from mixing together my skills, passions and enthusiasm. I love music and the various creative sectors and I’ve been told I’m an able writer so why not mix the two? I’ve also been using computers ever since I can recall so setting up a blog seemed like a natural idea. I found willing mentors in and around Birmingham’s creative sector and in exchange for their guidance (and the odd bit of petty cash) helped out as much as possible.
Once you start to get a nice CV going (remember this can include your own personal blog, mine is Get Frank.) Blogs that specialise in a particular topic are also beneficial as they imply your interest in a particular area and also have perks. For example Birmingham fashion blogger Selina Jervis has been featured in Teen Vogue and Cosmo Girl magazines and is regularly sent freebies. Due to my involvement in the Birmingham creative scene I was asked by a PR company if I would be willing to be flown to Cornwall for the weekend (free flights and accommodation included.)
Also start filling out work experience applications online. The BBC Jobs site is where I applied successfully for a BBC Blast work placement (The Blast Reporter scheme is for 18-25 year olds) and of course, 4 Talent is where I found out about not only Generation Next, but a competition that took me to Bestival. As I’d had some good experience in music and broadcast journalism I was allowed to produce the podcast and supplied a couple of blogs to 4Talent. I was asked to write a profile on 4Talent music winner Iain Woods for the final issue of 4Talent Magazine. Despite the latter being unpaid, I was given an invite to the 4Talent awards held at Horseferry Road and got my first experience of Channel 4’s home.
After my CV began filling up nicely (so far I’ve gone for the ‘jack of all trades’ route with experience in radio, print, online and visual; all outside of my education.) I began to set myself little aspirations; not the kind of aspirations that reach over thirty years but thinking about what I might be doing in the next six months. Probably the best and most relevant example of this is when I received the issue of 4Talent magazine with my article in. ‘Summer School.’ A page read. This I realised was what my next summer would be all about, luck and focus willing. Six months later here I am. The post is a little different and Summer School has become Generation Next, but this is what I aimed for and this is what I have achieved.
Next blog I’ll fill you in a little more about what I do and let you know how its going. If you have any questions you’d like me to answer on this blog please email me, fward@channel4.co.uk
Top tips for today
• Set yourself up a personal blog and get a twitter account so you can update interest parties.
• Check out work experience websites and send emails to companies you are interested in working for – they may be looking for runners and most keep CVs for at least six months.
• If you go for the ‘jack of all trades’ route like me, make sure you’re particularly strong in one area as if you’re going for a specialised position you’ll need to be. The extra skills will carry you even further.
• The Channel 4 Diversity scheme is a year long work placement with a C4 affiliated production company designed for people who may not have had the same advantages as others, or are seeking a career change. The BBC runs a similar journalism based placement called the Journalism Training Scheme.
• Sign up for job alerts from Channel 4. That’s how I found out that Generation Next were taking applications and help you discover a position you never knew existed.