Work Experience

Sooooooo after months and months of trying i've finally managed to get myself a work experience placement. It's not until July and it's only four days long, but heeeey, i managed it!

Those of you who are doing a specific degree or are set on the career you want in the future, (yes, it's true, we can't be students forever :( sobbbb! ) you will know how important it is to try and gain some relevant experience in the real world. Whether it be medicine, care, teaching or journalism (like me) employers want to know that you are keen and have a passion to succeed (gay).

However, gaining a work experience placement can prove much harder than anticipated! You send out looooooads of emails, letters, CVS etc. but you get ignored, you recieve emails politely telling you that they are full, have no placements to offer or simply, don't want you. Or they ask you to send them a covering letter, explaining all your previous experience and what you can offer their company. That's what bugs me... how companies expect you to have previous experience before you apply. You need previous experience to get more experience, so you apply for experience so that you have some previous experience but you don't get that placement because you don't have any previous experience. Confused? Thought so, me too!
It's a pain in the butt, a long winded process, a never- ending viscious circle some over dramatic types might say! ;)

But don't let that put you off, keep at it and you are bound to be successful at some point! Here are a few tips of mine to help you out if you are trying to gain media work experience:

Begin your planning early. In your first or second year get relevant practical skills by writing for the uni newspaper or magazine, radio station, or television society. This will help you develop your skills and give you a bit of previous experience (the dreaded thing that so many employers seem to want). I wish i'd done more of this during my first and second year and definately intend to get more involved next year!

Prepare a media CV. Don't just send out a general CV, this won't work as media companies probably receive hundreds every day. It must be focused to the particular type of work experience you hope to get and must be of high quality. If your university has a Careers service, speak to them or get them to look over your CV for you. Cardiff Uni has a Careers week and it is very helpful for this type of thing!

Use your own contacts. It doesn't seem fair but particularly in careers such as journalism, it often isn't what you know but who you know. Even if you don't know anyone who specifically works in the media, most big companies often have many contacts with the media so ask around. You never know who your parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, neighbours, friends might know that could help you kick start your career. My dad works in retail (i.e not in anyway particularly relevant to the media industry), he got a list of media contacts his company have, sent around a few emails and hey presto, i now have a placement.

Be persistant. If you don't hear back from a company, email or ring them again. This way you will show you are committed and will not give up. Send a follow up email, hassle and hound companies. Who cares if they think you are annoying, you will never have to meet them if you don't get a placement :)

Finally, Don't be a afraid of rejection. The media is possible one of the most competitive careers to get into, it can be tough and with so many people applying you have to be prepared to receive rejection after rejection. Don't let this put you off and don't give up. For every 100 rejections say, you are bound to get one that says yes :p

Good luck kiddddddddddddddddddddds :)