What are you doing now?
I work as a Researcher at a TV production company called Zodiak in London, I’m working on a kids’ weekend morning show called Scrambled! that airs on CiTV and ITV. I’m also the Social Media and Marketing Manager for the Little Paper Slipper, a charity that offers a creative outlet and support to women affected by domestic abuse.
What route did you take up to this point?
I went to DHSG before coming to DHSB for Sixth Form. At DHSG, I did A level French, History, General Studies and English Literature whilst studying Media Studies at DHSB. After that I moved to Brighton to read Multimedia Broadcast Journalism at the University of Brighton where I graduated with First Class Honours.
I was offered a job in the press office at the university before I graduated so I stayed there for a year working in marketing and PR whilst doing freelance radio and TV work. I got to do things like cover the General Election in the South East and work on Britain’s Got Talent auditions.
Then I landed at job at STV Productions, part of STV which is a broadcaster in Scotland, where I worked on popular shows like Catchphrase and Safeword. Whilst I was there, I spent any spare time I had working on programmes like The John Bishop Christmas Show, The X Factor and I most recently worked on a Vevo music video for YouTube with singer Zara Larsson.
Any significant crossroads?
Leaving Plymouth to go to uni, I was gutted to leave my cat Claudia behind! That said, I am so glad that I broadened my horizons by moving to Brighton.
What have you learnt most about yourself?
That I’m braver than I think I am.
What words of wisdom would you give to a student joining DHSB in Year 7?
Have fun, try and find things that you enjoy and be kind to everyone.
And for a Sixth Former leaving DHSB?
Manage your time carefully! When I was in Sixth Form, I had glandular fever and was ill for ages. I struggled to go to school, work part time and maintain a social life but once I got better, I learned how to manage my time effectively.
In my final year of university, I had a number of personal issues that I again was balancing with uni work, work experience placements, part time jobs and going out, it was during this time that time management skills became really important again. It’s not something you just learn overnight but knowing how to prioritise things is one of the best things you’ll learn.
Oh and don’t be scared, I don’t mean to be cheesy but this is your time to do anything that you set your mind to.
Any fond memories of school you can share?
The St Ives Media Studies trip and making my final film for the subject, I had so much fun and it was then that I realised that I wanted to work in the media
Do you have a message for any of your teachers?
Thank you to Ms Delve for pushing me to try harder and to Ms Wilkinson, who was one of the main people who encouraged me to be proud of being a feminist and without whom I wouldn’t have believed that I could work in the media industry. Media was my favourite A Level because of you two!