Work Experience: Avez Ahmed on working with the BBC Academy, and how it helped to shape his future aspirations

Before getting work experience at the BBC Academy I was looking for full-time work. Due to my lack of experience, I was being turned down fairly often and thought that if I got some work experience at different organisations I might become more employable.

Despite having a passion for media, having written scripts, articles and even made a few short videos, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would get work experience at the BBC. But I was recommended via by my local Job Centre, applied online and here I am!

In the application I wrote as honestly as I could about my passion for media and was offered place with the BBC Academy in Birmingham. The New Talent Team recruit entry level employees and despite having only ten days of work experience, those ten days were memorable and I did a lot, much more than your average work experience placement. I learned that you’ve got to have a lot enthusiasm, flexibility and determination with a good work ethic. I was surprised to see that at the BBC new ideas are constantly being considered, thrown out and revised.

I had the pleasure of taking part in Get In events; these events catered mainly for school leavers and university graduates with the aim of interesting them in the BBC trainee schemes and apprenticeships. I participated in three of these, and one took me to Media City UK in Salford. This was the first time I had ever been out of Birmingham, and so it was a memorable day for me! I spent some time with one of the Academy’s online digital content producers and even had the opportunity to write three articles which were given constructive criticism as to how I could improve my writing.

I also learned how to transfer videos internally across the BBC. There is definitely a strong hands-on approach when working at the BBC Academy - you don’t just make the tea. I also worked on a database using MS Excel and was taught how subtitle videos.

With all this experience under my belt and with a much better understanding as to how the BBC Academy works, I will be more the than likely applying for the Production Apprentice Scheme. Thank you very much for the opportunity BBC Academy!