Personal Characteristics:
There are several characteristics and traits that certain people must hold to become successful in their endeavours. These said traits could be motivation, time management, enthusiasm, creativity, work ethic, diligence, resilience, resourcefulness and the ability to work in a group environment. At present, I only currently have a few of these traits which means I need to pick up several traits and habits to be able to become successful in a career choice. However, I know that if I am given work and it needs to be done to a certain quality, I know that I am able to do that according to specifications, goals or targets. I am quite resilient in doing my work and I am able to keep my composure which means I am able to overcome most problem rather quickly. This links in to my work ethic, in that I am able to work for a length amount of time without faltering and keeping a constant pace of work but unless I have a good start with my work, I do tend to take longer than I should.
My time management is not entirely the strongest and I do sometimes waste too much time on one thing instead of doing something that is more important. My work ethic sometimes wanes which is an extremely fatal factor to a workplace as work is more than likely given at a constant rate where I have to work exactly to a deadline or even earlier. When working in a group, I tend to be a team member rather than a team leader as I do not have the confidence to lead a team, giving instructions and explaining what work needs to be done etc. but this does not mean that I will become a hindrance to the team by not doing any work. Being a team member means that as long as I'm given a part, I will try my best to do that part so that I can help the team in any way I can. I think that I am quite personable to some extent as I have noticed that people can talk to me quite easily and we are able to understand each other clearly. I always try to be as polite as possible, whether they are a younger or older person, of a higher position or lower; trust and manners always comes first. Although, I don't have any problems being alone as I have always believed that solitude is a strength and not a weakness, which is reflected in my work ethic when I do a job or work by myself.
Skills:
Certain skills must be present to be able to succeed in a career. Media in particular require skills such as being able to use a media suite to be able to create, modify and adjust videos and images. A possible skill is being able to use any of the Adobe creative suites such as Photoshop, InDesign, Audition, Premiere and Illustrator to be able to create or edit some form of media. Creating and keeping schedules is another skill as it will help to plan out what needs to be done at certain times, what needs to be done prior to completion, gathering assets etc.
I would like to believe that I am adept or slightly proficient in Photoshop as I have been creating small graphics and practicing a style in my own time for almost 4 years (Not necessarily at all times but quite a lot of my past time in the years was experimentation with different style and design.) since I became interested in graphic design. As long as I have the resources and assets when making a graphic, I will make sure to create a graphic that suits the needs. Although, most of the graphics that I create were for self-interests rather than for a job or another person. I have once created several graphics for other people but on a free service basis and when I was still new at Photoshop (They were still happy with the work I did though as I managed to meet what they wanted but I believed that I could've done better, which probably led to my constant improvement and experimentation throughout the years.). I seldom do video editing and I don't really have much experience in video editing as I rarely have any ideas for that kind of content but I do have some interest in it so I do create videos now and then to see what I can experiment and create. I do have a 2 examples of what graphics I have created for my own interests (Both are desktop background for my personal computer):
Relevant Achievements:
GCSE:-
Information Technology: B
Biology: C
Chemistry: C
English: C
Religious Studies: C
Maths: B
Design and Technology: C
ICT Diploma:-
Effective Communications: B
Potential of Technology: A
Skills for Innovation: B
Technology Systems: A
Multimedia: A
Managing Project: C
Exploring Organisations: C
Higher Project: B
Functional Skills (IT, Maths, English): Pass
Volunteering/Work Experience:
40+ hours of community service
GCE:
Creative Digital Media Diploma: (Predicted) Merit
Experiences and Interests:
In Year 10/11, I took part in the Duke of Edinburgh with a Bronze grade; this meant that I had to plan and prepare for certain activities that would allow me to take part in the activity. I
had to do a physical activity i.e. exercise in some form, volunteering
and showing some form of skill. This all led up to the final activity
which was the expedition. This was done as a group effort and we had to
plan out our route, what food we wereplanning on bringing and which
equipment we will carry on the way to the camp site. This helped me
build up my abilities to work in a team environment, planning skills,
time management, creating connections and practical skills such as
putting up a tent and learning what to do in an emergency situation(s). I
also took part in a small table tennis tournament in Year 7 and the
team I was in won 2nd place.
Educational Opportunities:
Local:
1. MA Journalism
This course focuses on being able to teach on how to work in a newsroom, sourcing and writing stories that are legally safe, social media savvy which will enable further interaction with their audience etc. It will allow learners to understand the very insides of what happens in journalism, giving them knowledge and experience of what to do in a newsroom and on-site reporting scenario. This course also provides the knowledge of media law and understanding of central and local government,
2. BA (Honours) Film and Media
Students will learn the necessary skills and acquire knowledge on the process of film production in the media industry. They will focus on drama, documentary and experimental filmmaking. They will also be developing their screenwriting skills and producing creative scenarios. The first year will provide the core skills of theorizing and creative techniques; This will be used heavily on assigned group projects which will feature a wide range of genres and disciplines. The second year will focus on specialist forms which include cinematography, sound recording and design, post-production, directing and producing and trans-media for film. The third year will have learners create a show reel of a chosen genre; this will be carried out in teams which will have assigned creative and technical roles.
3. Journalism Studies
The course will feature a series of skills that learners will need to understand and acquire. Students will be practicing these kinds of skills everyday and assignments will feature a whole range of practical skills such as on-location filming, courtroom reporting or even interviewing a renowned celebrity or sport star. The provided assignments will be done in a professional manner which means, it will slowly work towards forming a portfolio and a history of work for learners CV. The course also provides knowledge about the relevant laws, history, ethics and standards. They will also help develop practical skills such as research, communication and interview techniques.
4. MA Broadcast Journalism
This Masters Degree will provide learmers knowledge and techniques to writing for radio, televsion news, ask questions that matter amd find stories that learners can transform in to broadcast material. The abilities that the course will provide can range from going out, recording and filming material to use for editing and being able to tell stories on the web. The course provides assignments that are done in a simulated professional enviroment so that learners will be able to feel and understand the same conditions that a professional newsroom would have.
National:
1. BA (Hons) Journalism and Media Studies
Bangor University features a degree that is run by their School of Creative Studies and Media. The course is aimed towards people who want to learn Journalism and Media which inlcude: television, radio jounralism, print journalism, digital journalism, media practice, public relation; the history, development and ethics of journalism. It requires being able to balance practical and academic abilities as it is another course the provides work that is done in a professional manner. Journalism has a wide range of research interests: advertising, media law and regulation; privacy digital journalism, broadcast journalism, professional writing, comics, visual culture, live television and media events, gaming and virtual worlds, hypertexts. Recent studies for this course has included: film and video, multimedia, global media systems, virtual landscapes, social networks, interactive televesion, media and presentation, cult TV; computer games and documentary.
2. BA (Hons) Media Studies
Media Studies from the University of Portsmouth trains students to be able to research interests and topics that encompass television and internet to magazines and journalism. They will also learn by actually doing the professional work and by having access media production in various forms including video production and media writing. Finally, learners will create a film script or write a TV drama. This course will last 3 years full time or 4 years sandwich with work placement.
Local Apprenticeships:
1. Digital Journalism Apprenticeship (via BBC Training Scheme - Level 3)
Aprenticeships provide the ability to work in a professional environment, learning and working at the same time but is far my work related compared to the academic side of universities and colleges. The apprencticeship will last 2 years to be trained for Digital Journalism with the BBC and with a diploma in the end of it. Apprentices will learn how to create great content and programmes for TV, Radio and Digital Online. They will also be working on the newest pilots in digital mobile journalism, all the while working with BBc editors and staff and writing, recording, creating and reaching out to the audience.
2. Media Studies AS-A Level (via Sheffield College - Level 3)
The apprenticeship will have apprentices study a range of media texts produced by the above industries that includes advertisements, news articles, computer games, magazines and films. Media issues and media represntations will also be a main topic of understanding as there is a heavy amount of focus concerning said subjects. Studying in this aprenticeship will enable learners to record, monitor and evaluate the process of your own media production, from planning to outcome keeping a record of your progress as if working like a media professional.
National Apprenticeships:
1. ITV Apprenticeships (Various Apprenticeships)
ITV provides a variety of apprenticeships across the country: Business & Administration, Creative & Digital Media, Customer Services, Social Media or Legal Practice. The main focus of the topic would most likely be apprenticeships from the list is Creative & Digital Media and Social Media. In any case, apprentices will learn skills that the course provides that will help them prepare for a specialist sector of the industry.
2. (Higher Apprenticeship) Broadcast Production
This higher apprenticeship gives the skills to understand the role of a production co-ordinator; this includes co-ordinating logistics, finance, personnel, equipment and data on TV productions and they may also be involved with editing in post production. Broadcast Engineering is another path that this apprenticeship can open up as it is a role that provides technical support to the television studio and on-location broadcasts. They also make sure programmes are broadcast at the right time and without interference.
