Preparing for “The Real World”

During sixth form and secondary school, I received lots of helpful information and advice deciding on my future. However, most advice were for those choosing University. There was new information such as finances and accommodation for them to learn about, but this left those unsure about their career path in the dark. University was pressed onto us as the right decision to make, although it isn’t for everybody. I struggled deciding where my future will lead, so University was not an option when you aren’t sure which degree to choose. 

So, I left sixth form unsure of my career path, feeling unprepared. Once I had decided on the television industry as my chosen career path, I thought I’d feel relief. But, I was still left blind. 

Without the connections and help of teachers and advisors, where do you kickstart your career? The one thing school did not prepare me for, is the isolation you feel when you have nobody to talk to after years of advisors. Unsure of how to proceed into my career, I was also left with the one question when applying to the few apprenticeships and jobs I found:

How do I stand out?

My time in school was focused on how to stand out to Universities, however not to employers. I learnt nothing on how to write a CV, the best way to answer questions, and how to search for experience to show off to those hiring. Collectively, I believe I, and those in the same position, lack confidence issues by never meeting an experience criteria or receiving the unsuccessful email time and time again. Most employers cannot give personal feedback due to the sheer amount of applicants, so I’m left unsure on how to improve. 

In media and television, there are very few alleys for entry level students to successfully enter. With no connections, no experience, no degree and no help it’s particularly difficult to stand out, especially when there are no personal questions on each applicant. Due to everything being online in this generation, personalisation is an issue when just looking at a CV on a screen. This also means advice from those older such as parents, lack understanding when “everything was in person back then”. I can not roll into a television centre, hand in my CV and land a journalism job. 

However, I have tried my best to gain as much advice as I can. From peers, old connections, career advisors and recruiters. I’ll share what I have found.