BBC Digital: Women in Tech Event and Digital Media Graduate Scheme

Hi, I am a Business Coordinator for BBC Digital.

My role includes coordinating both the BBC Digital Media graduate scheme and BBC Digital Media apprenticeship scheme.

The graduate scheme is a way for BBC Digital to attract young talent. Focusing on software engineering and development, the grads get an opportunity to come to the BBC for two years and take part in four paid placements – these being in News, Travel, Weather, Sport, Children’s, Platform…and pretty much every team across Digital and across Salford, London and Cardiff too. The grads are a major asset to BBC Digital, bringing with them fresh ideas and enthusiasm, with the BBC giving them the chance to work on some of the UK’s best products and brands, whilst also receiving on the job training and support.

We also offer a three year apprenticeship scheme which again, really brings in our young talent right from the outset; it offers students an alternative route from studying at university as they can work towards their qualifications whilst also gaining work experience within BBC Digital.

I had the opportunity to attend the BBC Digital’s Women in Tech event earlier this year with the aim of igniting women’s interest in working at the BBC and specifically in Digital. I’ve found that people tend to associate the BBC with Television and Radio and I am really keen to spread the word about the brilliant work we do in Digital.

It’s true that like most tech employers our workforce in Digital is predominantly male which is why we are so keen to shake things up. We provide the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s biggest brands and products, in an innovative atmosphere, where everyone is equal and has their say and so we want to make sure that more women know about the fantastic career opportunities we offer.

I had a brilliant day attending the event, taking the opportunity to chat to women both new and experienced within the industry, about the range of skills and experiences they have to offer. It made me proud to say that I am also a woman working in technology.

I am delighted to say that four women who attended the Women in Tech event then went onto apply for the BBC Digital Media graduate scheme and will be joining us in the 2015 intake this September.

Natalia Miller, one of the four women, said of her experience,

‘I am very pleased I attended the Women in Tech day. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. It was really fascinating speaking to women in all different roles within IT and finding out about their experiences within the industry. I was able to speak to a lady who is currently on the graduate scheme and she explained to me what opportunities she had been given and the different projects she had worked on. Listening to her and hearing how much she enjoyed it reaffirmed how much I wanted to work for the BBC.’

Jess Leivers (picture at top of post, centre), another of the women who gained a place on the scheme, agreed:

‘The BBC Women in Tech event was great at promoting the BBC as both a uber-creative, cutting edge tech organisation, and one that celebrates the talent of its female contributors - just the kind of place I want to work at!’

The next BBC Women in Tech event – this time for women software engineers and developers – is taking place on 26 June 2015 at New Broadcasting House in Central London, full details here.

Additional details about the BBC Digital Media Graduate Scheme can also be found here.