Inspiring careers
Emma Boyd
Production Management Assistant in BBC Children’s Dept and Staff Volunteer
I left school four years ago with a few qualifications and no idea of what I wanted to do. I was fortunate to gain a placement on a local careers apprenticeship scheme that set my focus on wanting to work in TV production. It was a great experience that opened numerous doors and local contacts. To my astonishment, I then beat over 200 hundred applicants to get a job in BBC Children’s and I’m now fully focused on my career path.
I volunteered with BBC Outreach to share my story with a small group of 18 – 24 year olds from an Oldham arts charity. They were interested in the media industry but had no idea where to start and lacked real inspiration. MediaCityUK is only a few miles from where they live but for the group, it seemed a million away and a place they felt disconnected from.
I took part because I felt like I could really relate to them. I’m only 20 myself and thought they might be able to relate to me more being younger and from similar backgrounds as them.
young people visiting the BBC offices at MediaCityUK
It reminded me how I felt and how I loved any bit of advice or help anyone could give me. It also made me really value how lucky I am to be in a job I love at a young age, when there are all these talented people desperate to get in. The session went really well, lots of questions, which is a good sign and it made me want to volunteer more and help more young people, even it them just meant giving them advice that I think they will find really useful. The BBC now seems a realistic employer and a place they feel closer to.
Volunteering with BBC Outreach is something everyone should experience - not only are you helping others, it makes you feel really good about yourself. Even just a few tips and hints to a young person might not seem a lot to you, but to them it’s extremely helpful and it helps to inspire them and give them hope. I can’t wait to do more.
*Emma was one of eight staff members who gave up their time to meet and talk to young people from an Oldham arts charity. The young people, many without qualifications, came along to MediaCityUK, the BBC's home in Salford, to hear from staff who gained entry to the BBC through untraditional routes.
