Tag Archives: Media

Arielle, Media, Publishing and Journalism

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Arielle applied for the Career Mentor Scheme towards the end of her first year and she was matched with a freelance children’s books editor and writer. Their partnership continued until October of Arielle’s second year.

This mentor graduated with a Business and Management degree at Exeter. She has extensive experience in writing manuscripts, copy-writing, picture research, liaising with marketing, sales, freelancers and supervising an editorial assistant, amongst others. She has previously worked at John Wiley and Sons, Natural History Museum, Parragon Books and Priddy Books, MacMillan.

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The mentoring partnership with Sarah was really useful to Arielle. Arielle improved her confidence to seek graduate jobs, obtained job hunting resources and gained professional experience to put on her CV.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

It was wonderful to learn exactly what my desired job role entailed. I learned the ins-and-outs of the industry.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor provided insight into my chosen sector and gave me great feedback regarding my CV and cover letters.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

This program is fantastic and provides valuable experience for any student who wishes to seek employment after graduation.

Rhiannon, Media, Publishing and Journalism

English, Media Publishing and Journalism, , ,

Rhi was doing an English degree and was interested in going into Media, Publishing and Journalism. In her second year she applied for the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a consultant at Project Unleash.

This mentor has a wide range of professional experiences. He has been an editor at various organisations, including Woman and Home, BBC Good Food and Olive Magazine. He spent nearly 10 years working in the South of France as a Chef and Hotelier before moving on to be a Consultant, specialising in media and hospitality industries.

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From Rhi’s feedback it became evident that she completed all her objectives, some of which include having her CV proofread, obtaining help to prepare for her next steps after graduation and developing her interview techniques.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

My mentor was extremely knowledgeable about the kinds of professions I was interested in and gave me great advice on which career would suit me best, after listening to what was important to me in a career.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into chosen career.

The mentor shared:

“It is interesting to work with young people and see how they tackle the challenge of finding a job.”

Susannah, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Media Publishing and Journalism, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, , , ,

Susannah did a Philosophy and Politics degree. In her second year she applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with a mentor in Media, Publishing and Journalism – Home Affairs Correspondent at BBC South West.

Her mentor is an experienced professional in this sector. He has previously worked as a radio newsreader and presenter and as a news reporter at ITV.

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Susannah gave us more details about their successful 6-month partnership.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

My mentor, is amazing – he’s a constant source of support for me and always there when I need his help. He’s come onto campus and filmed friends and I for a segment on a BBC report he was doing, taking the time to show me how all the equipment and filming works. When I mentioned I was interested in journalism internships in America, he introduced me to a friend of his who offered invaluable advice and help with my applications.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into entry requirements for masters courses, what I should be doing now.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

You’ll learn invaluable advice through taking part in the scheme, and it gives you a huge heads up on your chosen profession.

Her mentor said:

“[The highlight for me has been] seeing Susannah grow, develop and extend her abilities and experience in media.“

Laurel, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Drama, English, Media Publishing and Journalism, , , ,

During her second year English and Drama student Laurel successfully applied to be mentored by a freelance journalist and PR consultant. Her mentor guided Laurel into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector for a period of half a year.

This mentor has a wide variety of professional experiences. She started as a reporter for the Falmouth packet weekly newspaper and then for the Harrow Observer. She then moved on as a Chief Sub-Editor at Travel Trade Gazette to then become a freelance feature writer for women’s magazines, writing for Prima, Business Travel World, Easyjet Inflight, Mother & Baby amongst others.

Laurel found being mentored extremely useful and shared more about the experience with the Career Mentor Scheme team.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

It was so interesting to hear about my mentor’s experiences and to receive advice about the field of journalism. I learned lots of new things and feel like I also improved my own skills. Meeting my mentor in person was the highlight as it enabled me to put a face to the name and get to know her better. She set me different tasks, gave me lots of feedback and answered all my questions about the industry of journalism; it was a really enjoyable day.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I received guidance from my mentor on my CV and applications, which helped me secure a work experience placement with a magazine in London this summer.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Taking part in the Career Mentor Scheme has greatly improved my confidence. It was extremely useful to learn from an industry professional; I am hugely excited by the things I have learned and look forward to putting them into practice in my future endeavours. There’s really nothing to lose!

The highlight for her mentor was:

“Felt I helped, and she secured two work placements at the end of it!”

Jacob, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Drama, Media Publishing and Journalism, , ,

Jacob participated in the Career Mentor Scheme is his second year. Doing a Drama degree, Jacob wanted to go into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector and was thus matched with a mentor in the same sector, a freelance TV series producer.

Having graduated from Exeter with a Drama degree, this mentor had been in the industry as a freelance TV producer for 12 years at the time when the mentoring partnership began. His main responsibility was managing teams during the filming process.

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Jacob discussed with us how the Career Mentor Scheme helped his employability and career development.

Jacob increased his knowledge of effective interview techniques and finding work experience in this sector. He improved his personal development skills and knowledge of further professional courses related to this sector. He also received help to improve his CV and got a chance to meet with people working in the filed and thus widened his contacts and networking opportunities.

What did you find most useful?

Insight into the profession.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Meet with your mentor as much as you can, ask as many questions as possible and take any opportunity that comes your way!

Lavanyaa, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Media Publishing and Journalism, Politics and International Relations, , ,

Whilst in her second year, Politics and International Relations student Lavanyaa, who was looking to get into the Media, Publishing and Journalism sector was mentored by a freelance journalist.

This mentor graduated from Exeter with a Biology with Animal Behaviour degree, but then pursued a Journalism career. After working as an Essayist at the Kernel and as a Reporter at Real Business, he became a freelance journalist working for various organisations, such as New Scientist, Observer and Vice. This was also his position  at the time of his partnership with Lavanyaa and as such his main responsibilities were in technology and business journalism, copyediting, PR, research and client relations.

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Lavanyaa told us of her experience of the Career Mentor Scheme:

She improved her personal development skills and her knowledge of further professional courses related to the Journalism sector. She increased her knowledge of the sector entry requirements and found out more about the good and bad aspects of the profession. Furthermore, she learned how to write, to get inspired and how to source information and facts.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Learning about my mentor’s experiences, getting advice on my writing style, and learning how to write an article.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Learning how to pitch to editors and how to freelance.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Do it, it gives you a wealth of information particularly for professions like journalism that are hard to get into and there is no direct route.