Skills Case Studies

Media Foundation Placement Scheme trainee interviews

Nadia O’Connell
Enabling North West Talent trainee

The Enabling North West Talent (ENWT) scheme has been a wonderful spring board for me - without it I wouldn’t be a trainee researcher for religion and ethics on the Media Foundation Placement Scheme which I’m doing today, my dream role, and it’s all because ENWT opened up the opportunity for me …

When I first started the scheme I had some barriers to face. The first barrier was with travelling. I was really worried about being tired and the distance to travel, and in the first few weeks I was exhausted but eventually my body got used to it. I was also provided with a wheelchair through the ENWT scheme, which proved invaluable. I also had to get used to working for the first time in a long time, I constantly asked myself, ‘will I be able to do this?’ But the whole support system I received through ENWT was very encouraging, and eventually the high level of support has helped me over come this. In the past I’ve let fear stop me from doing things, but this scheme has taught me to not let fear stand in the way and you should just go for it – that’s what ENWT has taught me, don’t let your disability hold you back!

I have learnt from the project on a personal level, that I have a lot more to give and I am stronger than I thought. The scheme has given me more of an insight into the professional skills I need for this industry, and it's put me on the right path for learning the skills I need to succeed in this industry. For example how to conduct yourself in a meeting, how to communicate, and how to conduct myself professionally in the media industry. In the future I want to write scripts, and although this may seem like a far away dream I feel ENTW has set me on the right path and has opened the doors to the future.
Sarah Rogers
Enabling North West Talent trainee

Before the Discovery Media (DM) event I really did not know what to expect. I had previously attended a course about getting into the media industry at the University of Manchester and found it to be too large and competitive to get anything out of it on an individual level (I think most people were there to get spotted as TV presenters!). At the DM event I found it was completely the opposite; there was a really welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity for everyone to speak both in a group environment and to the people running the scheme. The information given was a real insight into the industry, and I found the talk given by Nadia and Amanda really inspirational. I identified strongly with Amanda’s story and was encouraged by her experience within ITV and with Northwest Vision and Media.

Upon hearing that I was through to the TV Academy I could not believe the opportunity I was being given - something that anyone wishing to develop a career in the media industry would kill for! I honestly believe that this opportunity is a way for individuals such as me to ‘even the playing field’. Due to my particular experience with my disability I was unable to go out and get work shadowing or industry placements as is standard in breaking into the industry. I feel that this has been a way for me to counter-balance my deficit in a thoroughly fun and engaging way.

I enjoyed every aspect of the TV Academy. I especially enjoyed the researching task and being in a position to learn about the technical sides of production (which is something I had not previously considered). Additionally in listening to the guest speakers I was able to not only gain information, but I was assured that the media industry is not staffed with typically scary media types! I enjoyed the mini-project very much and found that I actually had skills I had never been aware of before, such as directing, storyboarding and helping with the edit. On a personal level I found it helpful to be able to meet other individuals in a similar position to myself, and to discuss similar problems we have all faced through disability.

On the last day’s evaluation I was offered work experience at ITV helping Michele Bentham. I had no idea that this was a possibility and was overjoyed! In terms of my disability it was a huge relief for me to go into an opportunity like this knowing that the person I was working for was fully aware of my situation. The issue of disclosure is very tricky and this eliminated it completely for me. I was then lucky enough to be offered a full 12 week paid placement in the same role as my work experience which I was thrilled about! I am now on the digit-elle scheme, through which I am able to take advantage of a media mentor and lots of training opportunities, the first of which is a City and Guilds Industry Induction Certificate. I am going to take this chance to really throw myself into everything offered to me.

On my placement my expectations have been exceeded. I am in a really comfortable and enjoyable work environment, and with a supportive manager who has allowed me to prove myself in my role. I also feel that there is great support from Northwest Vision and Media and feel comfortable to ask them for any help or to speak to them if I have any problems. I am learning so many new skills every week, particularly in relation to ICT which I have never actually learnt properly. I am also learning lots ‘by doing’ about how the media industry functions, which is vital if I want to succeed.

Without the Enabling North West Talent scheme, Discovery Media event and the TV Academy I believe I would find it difficult to get a foothold in the media industry. On paper I perhaps do not have the experience that many going for the same job as me would. However, I was given a brilliant chance to show my potential which has allowed me to progress. Without this I really feel that I would have had great difficulty in what is already an incredibly competitive profession. Now that I am on a placement I cannot believe how lucky I am to thoroughly love my position, whilst also training in vital areas.

A few years ago I was advised to leave university and go on disability benefits by many people, but now I believe that those times of feeling that I could never work or work in a job I love have resulted in me being given this amazing chance, which I don’t plan on wasting! I hope to continue training at ITV until my placement ends and would love to be offered something within the company, but I know that this will only happen if I prove myself to everyone who has given me such a great chance.