Take the opportunities and see where they take you: a year as a BBC apprentice

I can’t easily put into words the past year because I don’t think I would do the experience justice.

I can say that I’ve enjoyed every moment, and it’s hard to describe the adrenaline of making live TV for a week or the excitement of friends and family seeing your end-of-programme credit when you know how much work the team put into one programme.

Even when in the office during a heatwave you don’t mind because, at the end of the day, you’re still making a TV programme and I, personally, think that’s pretty cool.

This time last year I was heading to Birmingham for my induction week. I expected cameras and screens, but this year has taught me that there is so much more to broadcasting.

I’ve spent the year learning, on the job, about the whole process of TV production. No textbook or tutorial could have better explained the process of making a television programme from an original idea to broadcast.

I’ve learnt how someone has an idea, develops it and gradually as more people get involved the idea becomes a programme.

Alongside this I’ve learnt how every shoot is meticulously planned to cater for unexpected eventualities and that whether you’re the person holding the camera or buying the snacks, you are critical to the television programme.

Autumnwatch and Countryfile

The process of making a live television programme like Autumnwatch, where the team rehearse for a live show, is incredibly different to shows like Countryfile where the programme is planned, location researched, filmed, edited and broadcast within a longer timescale.

Suddenly you see that every ounce of television has to be risk-assessed and budgeted and that, alas, people don’t just get to do the fun bit and turn up on the day to film.

It’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed when you join the BBC as an apprentice. Until last year I lived in a town where everyone knew each other, so to be suddenly in a new city working in an industry in which I had no experience took a while to get used to.

I found myself sitting with people who have worked for years in television making the programmes which I was used to watching in my living room.

Listen to advice

I’d say to any apprentice to try to have the confidence to ask these people questions and to really take their advice, and learn from them.

There have been a number of conversations I’ve had over the past year which I will remember and take note from forever.

BBC Academy has spoiled me with variety over the past year, and one thing I’ve noted is the power of television and how it has the ability to get people talking and to change their thinking.

I’ve been advised to take the opportunities and see where this industry takes me…and I think that’s as good advice as any.

Find out about BBC trainee schemes and apprenticeships here.