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Business Development and Events Assistant at Mourant.

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A Level Media Studies

2021 - 2023

I began my job search as early as March in year 13, this meant that I had researched and contacted all of the existing firms at which I could work either in their creative team or for a creative agency. This led me to secure the position of Business Development and Events Assistant at Mourant. I started the position in July and I quickly integrated into the team, feeling like a natural fit by September. Despite being new to the concept of Business Development, the role has significantly boosted my confidence, and I've learnt a lot in a short time.

Although I enjoy working on events and email campaigns, I would like to progress into an even more creative space in the future so will likely complete my CIPR or CIM qualification which Mourant will provide funding and study leave for.

Assist in planning both internal and external events for Guernsey BD and marketing initiatives - hosting events such as quizzes and seminars.

Support lawyers in preparing for marketing trips and follow-up activities

Manage client, intermediary, and BD data using the CRM system

Create and deliver email campaigns for events

Advice: Go for every opportunity that is available to you even if it is outside your comfort zone and never underestimate the value of work experience.

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Razorbill Media and Junior Marketing Executive

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A Level Media Studies

A Level Photography

2021 - 2023

My roles are to come up with new ideas in how we market to our members and keep them coming back. Razorbill Media is a global agency offering acquisition, affiliate and design marketing.

In our company we focus on what it takes to win in the competitive marketing world. We aim to improve revenue, drive awareness and conversion suited to individual business needs.

Advice: Be open minded

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A Level Media Studies

A Level Photography

2014 - 2016

When I left Sixth Form I accepted a job in Fund Administration. After 2 years, I knew it wasn't for me and I wanted to pursue a more creative career. I applied for a Marketing Assistant position at Healthxchange Pharmacy, where I gained valuable experience over the course of three years. I moved from Healthxchange to Mourant (law firm) as a Marketing Executive in the Summer of 2021 and have recently been promoted to Senior Marketing Executive at Mourant.

I didn't go to University, but my Media Studies and Photography A-levels have been beneficial. While I've largely acquired my proficiency in Adobe programmes post sixth-form, my exposure to the programmes during my studies meant that they were not unfamiliar territory, giving me a head start because I understood their basic functions.

My role as Senior Marketing Executive, Mourant includes:

● Responsible for the majority of Mourant LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram posts, including artwork, imagery, native document or video creation and copy.

● Creating and updating web pages on the website.

● Attending local events to photograph and update relevant social media platforms.

● Presenting social media (predominantly LinkedIn) training to colleagues in one-on-one and group settings.

● Evaluating firm performance across social media and web pages using social media statistics and Google Analytics. Using the data to inform future creative and copy decisions.

● Working individually or with colleagues on global communication projects, from conception and planning to implementing internal and external delivery.

Advice: Make the most of the head start, take your time to learn the programmes you have access to now.

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A Level Media, Art and Photography
2019 - 2021

I applied for a job at BBC Guernsey while I was still at school, and I started there a week after finishing Sixth Form.

I did lots of work experience in the media world to figure out exactly where my place was. I photographed events, worked in marketing at the OGH, looked at online work and then did a course on radio and tv broadcasting and fell in love!

I was a Journalist Coordinator at BBC Guernsey. On a daily basis I helped produce the breakfast show (yes I wake up at 4:15am everyday). I made packages, voice pieces and clip sequences which involved a lot of audio editing. I also got to do live inserts and interviews, book guests, dial guests, research ideas and potential stories, read bulletins. The only way to describe it is a little bit of everything!

I am now the Guernsey Raiders Marketing and Media Officer. It’s a great job for me as a rugby player, lots more freedom and creativity than my previous job, and I’ve been able to use more of my media skills with website design etc!

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A Level Media Studies
2011 - 2013

University of Winchester, BA Hons Media Production

After uni, I got a job at Orchard PR through the States of Guernsey Creative Industries placement scheme. After six years in the public relations industry, I then moved to Clicksmith, a digital marketing company, as a senior account manager.

Thoughout my career I have kept learning and have become a CIPR Accredited Practitioner, CIPR Professional PR Certificate holder. I've completed the Squared Online Digital Marketing course and am on the CIPR committee locally. In 2022 I won Rising Star of the Year at the PRCA DARE Awards and was also listed as one of Women in Public Life Guernsey's Iconic Women of the Future.

At Clicksmith I work closely with clients to understand their business needs and objectives so that we can produce sucessful digital marketing campaigns. We use a variety of digital channels including email marketing, social media advertising and Google Ads (paid search, YouTube and display). We also create videos and do photography.

Advice: Go for it, creative skills are more valued by companies than ever before. The more skills you can get through qualifications (there’s lots of free courses online) and work experience the quicker you will progress in your career and become more desired by employers.

www.clicksmith.co.uk

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A Level Media Studies

2018 - 2020

BA Hons Graphic Design at The Arts University Bournemouth

My journey was an uncharacteristically straight line. I finished university in May, graduated in July and started at Potting Shed in September.

My current role includes lots of work in indesign for corporate clients, social media projects, photo editing plus a little bit of web and animation work.

Advice: Make sure you have a strong refined portfolio, and that you are confident in talking through your projects.

https://pottingshed.com/work / www.harrytorode.com

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Production Apprentice at BBC Radio Guernsey.

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A Level Media Studies, Art

2020 - 2022

Although I had applied for university, in the end I decided it wasn’t for me. Initially, I went into retail however I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do long term and that the dream for me was to go into a media job.

Whilst working in retail I contacted a few media companies to see if there were any vacancies available. I know media jobs are popular so I had to be patient. In early January 2023 I applied for a Production Apprenticeship role at BBC Radio Guernsey. I worked really hard to practice for each interview and was fortunate enough to get the job. I would recommend the apprenticeship to anyone interested in production and journalism.

I learn everyday on the job, some of my job roles include interviewing, editing audio/video for radio and social media, writing scripts for presenter to read on air, finding guests for stories we are working on, going live on air.

Advice: I would say if you're not completely sure what part of the media industry interests you the most, something like an apprenticeship will help you learn a variety of skills and help narrow down your favourites for a future job. I would also say apply for multiple media jobs at a time, you can always interview for multiple jobs and figure out where you feel you’ll fit in best or decide which one covers you main interest more.

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A Level Media Studies
2018-2020

University of Manchester, BA Drama.

I had no idea what I wanted to do! But I’ve very luckily fallen into Journalism which combines all the skills learnt in my degree.

I research and tell other people’s stories with a non-bias outlook. I interview for radio, television and write for scripts for radio and articles for online.

Advice:  Do not let people convince you that the Creative Arts are not a valid and worthy industry to work in. The most intelligent and talented people I know are those who I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.

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A Level Media, Art

2020-2022

After school I got a job at Joys Events but then landed my dream job as a Junior Graphic Designer - Designing Social Media Content, Web Ads, Animation, Motion Graphics, Web Design, Brand Design at Clicksmith, a local design, advertising, marketing agency.

Advice: Your school work is not a portfolio! Use something you're passionate about to create work for your portfolio. I used my band as the product where I built a brand, created social media content, edited photos and music videos. Try to have a range of different examples to keep your skill set broad and not too refined on one thing.

Clicksmith’s answer to Roger Taylor has been promoted to designer.

Toby Beasley, who sidelines as a drum teacher, was formerly our junior designer.

‘We’re thrilled to announce Toby’s well-deserved promotion to the role of designer. Toby has come a long way in such a short time, which is testament to his creativity, dedication, and invaluable contributions to our team. Toby has a bright career ahead of him and I’m confident that he’ll continue to elevate our design efforts and bring fresh perspectives to our projects. Congratulations Toby on your achievement,’ said Clicksmith’s operations & marketing director, Dominic Bennett.

Toby joined Clicksmith in 2022 after leaving the Grammar School Sixth Form Centre where he studied media, business and art and design.

‘I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into the role of designer. I’ve learnt so much since being at Clicksmith and I’m excited to take my creativity to the next level. I look forward to supporting on the upcoming projects we have lined up and to making a real impact for our clients,’ said Toby.

https://tobybeasley.myportfolio.com/

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A Level Media Studies
2017 - 2019

University of Bedford - Media Communications BA.

I always wanted to be a journalist but never could decide what kind. So I chose a uni course with a varied syllabus. Media Comms covered: TV production, Magazine design, Social Media management, Mobile Journalism, Video and Audio editing, Media Theory, Law and Ethics…and a whole lot more!

I loved all my units but then of course the pandemic hit and we all flew home. Continuing my course online I felt like I was missing out on the practical (fun) stuff. So I looked around for any local media related opportunities.

Jubilee Hospital Radio - which is a tiny station up at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital - were looking for presenters. I’d enjoyed audio editing at uni and performing on stage previously, so I thought ‘why not’? I hosted a weekly show there for the duration of the lockdowns. It was a great escape from reality, for two hours I’d blast music I loved and rambled in-between.

When I eventually flew back to England, my friend began managing the student radio station asked me to host a show. He needed more live content for Ofcom to stay happy - and I needed an excuse to stop studying and chill. So I began hosting on RadioLab too.

I never saw myself working in the radio industry - it was always something I had done for fun. I had previously worked at The Guernsey Press and saw myself probably doing that when I graduated. But, IslandFM just happened to advertise an opening and I again thought ‘why not?’.

Uni definitely taught me a lot (media and life skills), but it’s obvious now that the opportunities I took along the way influenced me more than I thought.

In my current role I source news, conduct interviews, then write and read the hourly bulletins. I also post content to their social media pages and write web stories.

Advice: My advice would be say ‘yes’, and be honest. You don’t know where an opportunity will take you and there is no shame in saying you don’t know - but make sure you’re willing to try.

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A Level Media, IB Film
2017-2019

BA Media Production, Sussex University

During my second year of university, during COVID lockdown, I decided that I wanted to use my time more effectively than just sitting around in the house, and so I decided to begin creating content online.

Many people think that working within the creative arts is easy, or that it isn't 'real work'. In my personal opinion, this couldn't be farther from the truth. If it's something in your life that you want to do, you need to drown out the naysayers, and focus on yourself.

Advice: Attitude and motivation is everything. If you truly invest yourself, learn by error, and improve, I find the creative arts to be a fantastic career choice, at the very least it has been for me.

I recently reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube which means that I got to receive a subscriber plaque.  I'm not sure how far I would have got with this journey had I not taken media at sixth form, it built the foundations for what I've done since. So sincerely, thank you!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_nZQHtNrsuB7vDeZk1yvnw/videos

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A Level Media Studies and Art

2016 - 2018

I left school and went straight to work at the Digital Greenhouse for 2.5 years which  gave me great experience in all areas of creative design, as I was able to get involved in all of their projects. After leaving the Digital Greenhouse I moved to the UK to pursue my freelance career and successfully ran my own business and I specialise in filmmaking, graphic design, motion graphics and animation.

I've been doing all sorts of creative biz since I was a kid but I made my way into the creative working world in 2018. I spent a few years working for an innovation hub and co-working space managing the members and creating content to promote events, socials, and other activities.

In 2021 I moved to the UK and started freelancing full time which ended up leading me to a full time design position at a new marketing agency in London.

And I am now back in Guernsey working as a designer at Buzz Creative Studio. I do a lot of graphics for social media campaigns, video production and animation projects for local businesses. I'm also working as a filmmaker taking on local short and feature films, and some international short films.

Advice: If you put the work in anything is possible. Make your own path with hard work and if you want to learn something, don't be afraid to teach yourself! Learning at your own pace is sometimes easier but also much more rewarding when you succeed.

https://charleykendall.myportfolio.com

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A Level Media, IB Film.
2017 - 2019

I attended the University of Salford and completed a BA Hons in Media and Performance.

In my present role as a social media marketing executive, I film, edit and put together my own content for various social media platforms within the charity, with the intent to raise brand awareness and gain donations!

Advice: The Media is a very broad field of work, and every area will teach you something different. If you want a career in television but have landed a job in marketing, there’s still always a way in, no matter what the angle!

https://sashakari.wixsite.com/my-site

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A Level Media, Film and Photography
2106 - 2018

University of Arts, Bournemouth
Film Production

In order to get my job at the moment, I sent a hell of a lot of emails.

I am now a Freelance Film Location Marshall - My main responsibilities are to prep and strike equipment at Crowd Bases, which are the main hubs for extras to wait/ be costumed and make-upped. On set I usher pedestrians out of the way for their safety/ camera continuity. It's a start!

Advice: My advice would be to try your hardest to create a strong network with other creatives. This means that whenever one of your mates finds work, they could potentially hit you up as well. This is how I got my first gig.

Also, perfect your email game. Email to any and everyone.

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Senior Communications Executive - WEAREGUERNSEY

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A Level Media and Photography
2014 - 2016

University of Winchester - Degree in Media, Communications and Advertising

When I returned to Guernsey, I was unsure on what I wanted to do. I started temping at Ravenscroft in January 2020 as a receptionist and was kindly bought into marketing meetings which opened up the world of Marketing and Communications. I moved to Guernsey Finance in February 2020 and began temping in the Marketing department, a few months later they offered me a full-time position. I then went on to completed a Diploma in Marketing in 2021. In August 2021, I moved across to the Communications and PR Department.

My current role is Communications Executive - my main responsibilities are producing and owning both podcast channels for our brand WE ARE GUERNSEY. I also oversee our social media accounts. Most recently I have taken on video editing and producing interview style videos.

Advice: Get as much experience as you can, whether this be temping, shadowing or work experience. It is great to have qualifications under your belt but experience is just as important!

https://www.weareguernsey.com/on-demand/podcasts/

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A Level Media Studies
2017-2019

Kingston University, BA Acting for Stage and Media

Contributing my own interpretation regarding scripts and characterisations for stage and screen>

Advice:  Do it! There is a multitude of different paths you can go down so there is bound to be something that you like. There are so many opportunities!

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A Level Media Studies
2014 - 2016

Media Production BA (Hons) at Bournemouth University

During University I had several work experience opportunities including going on tour with Team Sky as a Content Creator and doing freelance Social Media Management for small businesses.To gain experience I said yes to any photography opportunity I could get, from boxing events to weddings and everything in between! After University, I moved to London and worked part time in retail whilst I took on freelance fashion-based social media/content creator jobs. After building up my portfolio and experience I secured the role I am in now; Creative Content Executive for Abbott Lyon.

My current job is Creative Content Executive for luxury jewellery brand Abbott Lyon. The core responsibility of my job is designing and creating adverts for all of our digital marketing. Being an online retailer means you have to stay ahead of trends and be really adventurous in how you sell your product. Another key responsibility I have is working directly with TikTok & Facebook to  strengthen our digital marketing strategies. Alongside this, I edit photos, make TikToks, make creative decisions for the brand and occasionally get my camera out to create content.

Advice: Don't listen to any negative voices that tell you the creative industries are oversaturated or that it will be too difficult to make a career out of what you love. It's one of the fastest growing industries in the UK and new types of job roles are invented all the time! If you really want it, you can 100% do it.

https://www.abbottlyon.com/

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gjackson01/

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A Level Media Studies
2015 - 2017

Norwich University of The Arts, Graphic Design

I joined part of a Digital Greenhouse scheme over the summer in 2nd year of Uni and then made a rapport with one of the people at Specsavers who then recommended me for the job at allbeauty.

Advice: Go for it, if possible try to gather experience in the industry from a local business, there's great opportunities you can get with digital greenhouse and others

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ojSiS7GZGSs3xnGdKfFSh6u0ksiqYnDn/view

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A Level Media Studies
2012 - 2014

Bournemouth University - BA (Hons) Communication and Media

My course was a sandwich degree and so I completed a placement year as a Communications & Investor Relations Intern at the Daily Mail and General Trust in London. This role enabled me to gain a good understanding of how the world of communications works and allowed me to apply what I had learned in my first two years of university in a professional sense. After this, I went back to uni to complete my degree, and with a year of solid experience under my belt, I then secured a job as a Communications Executive for the Advertising Association, which I started almost straight away. I have since been promoted to Senior Communications Executive and am working towards being promoted to Communications Manager hopefully at my next appraisal. I think the combination of studying a broad range of units during my uni course (advertising, social media, copywriting, for example) and having relevant work experience at a media company really helped me to get where I am today.

My role at the Advertising Association involved a lot of content management as well as corporate communications. For example, I managed all of the company's social media accounts, which included writing all of the posts, creating content calendars and planning strategically; I managed the company website ensuring it is continuously updated and it was my responsibility to proactively gather and produce its content, which included a lot of article writing; I wrote communications to our members (the company has various member networks) on behalf of the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team; I wrote a weekly newsletter that went to over 1,000 members of the advertising industry; I assisted with media relations - writing press releases and sending them in to journalists; and I also lead the internal Wellbeing Committee and Social Committee.

I am now employed at Wavemaker as a Communications Manager. Some of our clients include Danone, Eurostar, Morrisons and Nationwide to mention but a few household names.   As a Communications Manager with six years' experience in both external and internal communications, I am adept at managing, protecting and enhancing reputations through a variety of channels. I am passionate about leveraging marketing and communications strategies to nurture relationships, achieve fame and ultimately drive growth. I am a reliable and proactive individual with a love for copywriting and a forensic eye for detail.

Advice: Go for it! There are so many different opportunities within this type of career so don't worry if you aren't 100% sure on what exact role you want to be in yet. In most roles within this type of career no two days will be the same - although it can be full-on it's exciting, fast-paced and sometimes doesn't even feel like work! If you do decide you want to go down this route, don't worry if you don't get offered a job straight away - these roles are always high in-demand - keep going and don't give up!

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A Level Media and Art
2015-2017

BA Degree Creative Advertising - Edge Hill

My career path started whilst at University, during my 3 year course I worked for a record label in Liverpool, it was a job that started within University for a semester, then myself and two friends continued to do work for them for the remaining 3 years. Whilst creating various album covers and festival posters, my passion for design grew and I realised this was what I wanted to spend my life doing. After University, I decided to move back home with the idea of saving for a house and beginning my career without having to somehow fork together rent money, in turn I landed a job as a designer at WE ARE GUERNSEY.

I'm a Senior Design Executive at WE ARE GUERNSEY and currently head a team of 3. It's tough to put all the roles and responsibilities into a small bit of text, at WE ARE GUERNSEY we do upwards of 30 events around the world each year, as well as hosting various events in Guernsey, and producing all kinds of literature, presentations, videos, promo material. I guess my main R&R is to ensure that all the artwork is done for this, from event themes to brochures to reports to event collateral etc. On top of this ensuring my team are function to the best of their ability, whilst balancing their mental wellbeing and supporting them where needed.

Advice : There's a lot of early rejection when applying for your first job in the industry, don't be disheartened by this. It's an incredibly competitive field, but when you're in, you'll thank yourself.

Behance.net/sebgolland

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Creative Generalist, Mighty Oak, London.

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A Level Media Studies, Art and Photography
2012-2014

I secured a paid role with Crowd Media on-island, where I trained and worked on social media, photography and design with all of Crowd's clients.

I am now self-employed under my own company, Mighty Oak. I style myself as a creative 'generalist', as I've always liked doing bits of copywriting, design and social media, (rather than specialising in one thing) and sometimes that's exactly what companies need. Working in Guernsey is excellent for giving you loads of opportunities across media, regardless of role, whereas being in bigger cities or companies might not allow that flexibility.

I've now been self-employed since 2018, and my client base now includes Mozilla (the makers of Firefox), EcoAct, and Quest Apartment Hotels, an Australian hotel brand. For Quest, I write, design and direct their 3x monthly email marketing campaigns (sent to over a million guests) and social media content, and I just signed a retainer to work with them for at least the next 12 months.

Advice: Look for work experience voraciously; if you can spare the time, the industry in Guernsey is excellent for being welcoming to young people and I spent time at Island FM, Crowd Media and other agencies where I picked up a ton of knowledge (and, crucially, connections) before even leaving Sixth Form. Work experience got me the invitation for my first paid role, and my first paid newspaper column.

If you're moving off-island, use as many of your connections ON-island to share your plans — it's surprising how small the world can be when you ask. I knew someone who worked at Specsavers in Guernsey, who knew someone who worked for Google in London, which is how I ended up visiting their trendy offices, and that person introduced me to Victoria, the Director of routesix who offered me my favourite job to date (before I went freelance). Since being self-employed, nearly all of my clients (including even Mozilla) have found me via word of mouth, so get to know as many people as you can, and of course be nice to them.

Finally, in media, it's all about your portfolio. Having a strong, nicely designed CV is of course important (try and get it on one-page if you can, big city recruiters don't have time for pages), but a nice A4 portfolio or website, with a few slides showing your range of skills and past projects is what employers really look for. It doesn't have to be wordy or show just your paid work, so show off the sort of work you'd LIKE to do. (I'd be happy to show you the one I made when I was employed)

I also work as a freelance writer, having now contributed two articles to Which? magazine, as well as writing for The Overtake, Mashable, and of course, the Guernsey Press.

http://mightyoak.london

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A Level Media Studies
2017 - 2019

After A Levels, I had a month to rest + reset. I went on to waitress at Octopus for 6 months and had a sales assistant job for a month after, it was a long 8 months of not knowing and rejection from local agencies before securing a creative role!

Those months of waitressing / unemployment were extremely disheartening and the longer it took the more it felt like it was never going to happen. I'd done everything you were meant to do, but creative roles are so limited in Guernsey it can be difficult. One thing which was massively helpful was networking - get on LinkedIn and see who works for who, do you have any connections you could use? Clicksmith weren't hiring, but I met my now-colleague for a chat and a coffee to discuss what I was looking for and plant the seed in her mind. For some reason she warmed up to me and invited me to meet the guys at the office and the rest is history!

Whether it was luck or not, honesty about what you want from a career in the creative field is really important. Once you know what it is you want to do, you can get the appropriate work experience and build a portfolio, get all of the free qualifications you can (Google Academy and Digital Greenhouse are both great for marketing), offer yourself for free work experience if nothing else. About 90% of roles are taken before they're advertised (if at all), being proactive in searching for roles is crucial as most will not just present themselves.

Reflecting on that period of application, I cringe at myself but you learn as you go along! Be honest about being a blank slate and not understanding it all, what they want is to see is that you'll dedicate yourself and learn.

My role is not your typical marketing exec role; we are a small team mainly divided into web development, social media management and paid search. I've dabbled in a bit of everything from web building/management, SEO and press releases to Google ads (display / PPC) and Facebook/Insta advertising. I'm hoping to do an IDM award in the near future for email content strategy marketing so I can specialise in email marketing specifically. I mainly take care of the smaller local clients, it's client facing so it means building a relationship with them and being able to translate their needs into a realistic plan of action to the necessary resources within the company. Everyday is different and it's definitely helped build a varied skillset!

Advice: My main bit of advice would be build your profile, get experience, do the free courses, meet people for coffees and so on! Expect a lot of rejection and take it as a chance to improve and progress rather than personally.  Read about the industry, keep up to date with exciting progressions in technology / marketing / whatever it may be. Keep applying, abuse your contacts list, EVERYWHERE (even banks and finance companies) needs creative leads and marketers. Understand what it is you can offer, no you may not have a degree in graphic design or 15 years industry experience (as some entry level jobs seem to require!?!). But, unlike many older or more experienced candidates, what you do have is a young creative mind that has grown up in the digital age where these things are almost second nature. Being untouched by other company cultures is a positive thing, you don't have anything to unlearn or any bad habits, you're at factory reset ready to be programmed. Be honest and be yourself, as easy as it is said than done - try to contain your nerves, these are people you're talking to at the end of the day who were once in your shoes.

I still struggle with imposter syndrome, it really is fake it 'til you make it - everyone is just pretending to know what they're doing, the sooner you realise it the more self confident you can be!

And, don't settle! You can't expect different outcomes for doing the same thing over and over again, but keep trying and you will get there eventually. Apply to places that will nurture your career goals and provide assistance in building your skills.

https://clicksmith.co.uk/portfolio/

January 2023 - left to go travelling - watch this space.

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A Level Media Studies, Film and Art
2013-2015

I went straight to being self-employed and running my own Freelance Animation/Illustration company.

I am responsible for finding clients/jobs and fulfilling their briefs.

Advice: Take advantage of the internet/social media to promote yourself and your work. Don't hold back!

https://fromsmash.com/adampi

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A Level Media Studies and Art
2016 - 2018

BA Hons Media Production at Bournemouth University.

I had worked for clients such as charities and local events throughout my degree, which gave me a taste of the media industry. Throughout my graduate project I worked with Guernsey Arts, who acted as my client, which gave me lots of local industry contacts. The job at Orchard was recommended to me and the role seemed really exciting. The job enables me to use the skills I've learned throughout my degree, but also continue to learn and develop professionally, within a growing, forward thinking company.

I was an Account Executive at Orchard. In a nutshell, my role was to work as part of the team to create content which will effectively communicate a message on behalf of a client to their audience. I am part of the digital team which creates video, audio and graphics content for clients as well as managing various social media accounts. The PR element of my role involved: writing media releases; organising events; and liaising with local news platforms (eg Radio, TV & press).

I have also previously been responsible for all the social media and publicity for Kings Leisure Club.

Advice: Go for it! Have confidence in your ability and creativity. The media industry is constantly growing and changing so be adaptable and take opportunities that excite you.

Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/sophiegall991d

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Global Digital Programme Co-ordinator at Specsavers

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A Level Media Studies and Photography
2013 - 2015

Specsavers Graduate Scheme.

I secured a place straight after school on the Specsavers Graduate Scheme.  After spending just over 2 years on my graduate course, I now have a great understanding of every department within Specsavers including;  Project management, illustration, graphic design, photography, filming and studio. Also, CRM, Media buying, PR, Advertising, opening stores and more! Once completing the graduate course I was able to choose a permanent position, the role was a Local and Regional executive - supporting stores across the UK and Ireland. After 6 months in this role I  decided to take a sabbatical and head off traveling visiting China, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali and more.. it was such an experience - I would encourage anyone to take the change if they can!

I then returned to Specsavers and was promoted to a Marketing Manager for 6 months, before moving onto a different role, working on a different category - Audiology Marketing (Basically hearing aids!)  My current role as Marketing Manager - Audiology means that I am working in the hearing side of the business, campaign management,  working with creative from concept to delivery, leading the strategy of the business whilst responding to trading challenges and supporting stores.

I've developed 7 years of experience I am now a Global Digital Programme Co-ordinator at Specsavers looking at delivering digital channels (Ecom, web design etc) into different territories such as New Zealand, Australia, Nordics, newly opened Canada and more!

Advice:  I'd highly recommend a career in Marketing; it's fun, fast paced and creative but my one bit of advice would be to take every opportunity that comes your way!

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A Level Media Studies
2015 - 2017

Bournemouth University- BA Hons Media Production

During my time at University I did a placement year within my third year of study. I worked for the company Enterprise Holdings in their marketing department as the Creative & Media Intern. Having now graduated university this year (2021), my first full time job role at a digital creative company as a ‘Junior Creative Specialist’.

The role was as a middle person between our clients and the design team. I help to discover what campaign the client wants and how this can be executed. I then provide a clear and detailed design brief to our design team who then produce exactly what the client is after.

I am now a full time Assistant Producer at RAW Pictures -

Award winning video production company, creating engaging and entertaining video content for businesses and brands.

Advice: Try to get as much experience as possible, especially if you would like a role that is on set. My aim is to eventually work my way up to a production coordinator role within television. My one regret is not leveraging even more of my time at university to gain as much on set experience so I could get a role within television straight away.

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A Level Media Studies and Film
2013 - 2015

Bournemouth University - Business Studies & Marketing.

I took a gap year after Sixth Form to figure out what I wanted to do with my career. I had some amazing opportunities including working in San Francisco at a financial advisement firm, volunteering in Lesotho at Kick4Life (South Africa) and working with FIFA to launch women's football. I was also able to complete a extended project qualification with a dissertation on the "Sustainability of high economic growth" as an external student at Grammar.

I knew I wanted to go down a creative route as I enjoyed media/film studies . I secured my place at Bournemouth University on a 4 year sandwich course in business studies and marketing. For my placement I gained a place marketing at one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world; Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), with the opportunity to market some of the largest life saving medicines across the UK and America. I also had the chance to travel around the UK and work with companies including Google, the government and the NHS.

I graduated with a 2:1 and went travelling after university, before being scouted through LinkedIn (Make sure to keep your LinkedIn updated!!) by a Specsavers recruiter in Guernsey and that's where I have been ever since.

I am currently a Marketing Executive at Specsavers and work in the stores marketing team. This involves supporting stores in the East of the UK, the Scottish marketing plan at a regional level and supporting with local activation at a national level. This includes selecting, briefing and delivering media activity in areas such as radio, print, digital and out of home (billboards).

Recent work has included briefing assets for Specsavers Christmas marketing activity across the UK.

Advice: GET INVOLVED! Spending time on your interests is equally as important as focussing on your grades. Spend time doing things like volunteering, travelling and finding opportunities to lead a team or pick up extra courses. What will separate you from other applicants is reflecting on how your interests and experiences will contribute to a future role. Also, take risks; you will never know if you enjoy something unless you give it a go and there's no failure in trying!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewflambard

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A Level Media Studies
2014 - 2016

I went straight in to Finance locally for a year, then decided I wanted to go to Uni.
Bournemouth - Product Design.

Have since worked in interior design and graphic design and until recently at Specsavers in creative/design.

Recently moved back to the UK as a Designer Engineer for Dyson.

Advice: Be willing to grind and work for it. The creative industry is hard to join but once your in, it’s the best type of job in the world.

My portfolio: www.dandegaris.com

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Account Manager, Toolbox, Vancouver/Canada. 

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A Level Media Studies and IB Film Studies
2017 - 2019

I went straight to Specsavers as a Marketing Assistant for 18 months after A Levels.

I then moved on to a post of Digital Marketing Specialist at a Social Media company called Buzz on the island. My main responsibilities were to manage around 10 clients social media across the island ranging from law firms to bars/pubs.

I use platforms such as Hootsuite, Business Suite, as well as Adobe Platforms to edit and produce artwork and content.

In January of this year, I moved to Vancouver in Canada to work as an Account Manager for Toolbox - a design, branding, creative agency.

Advice: Go for it! But a smaller business may be a better start for you.  I started at Specsavers but found since it's very corporate my creative skills weren't used to the best of their abilities.

buzz.gg

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Head Of Video Production at Karl Taylor Education,

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A Level Media Studies
2009-2011

BA University of Winchester, Media Production

I finished university in 2014 and then got a job at Karl Taylor Photography assisting in filming and video editing for photography training DVDs. Since then we have moved to an online subscription based photography training platform known as Karl Taylor Education where we produce new courses monthly along with broadcasting live shows fortnightly. During that time my role and responsibilities have grown and I am now 'Head Of Video Production'. I film the courses and oversee all the editing for them along with our social media content. I also produce our live shows; setting up and operating an eight camera switcher which is broadcast to our members all over the world.

Advice: I would thoroughly recommend getting the best portfolio you can together whilst you have the opportunity to create content at school and at Uni, having the time and equipment to borrow. I believe in this industry a good portfolio to show off your work and what you can do is essential; potential clients and employers are mainly going to see whether you can do the job rather just some text on a page. After being involved in interviewing for an Assistant Editor,  I know what it is like looking over people's work and basing their abilities on it. Since starting, my employers also have told me the reason I got the job was because some pieces in my portfolio stood out above other candidates.

https://karltayloreducation.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/KarlTaylorPhoto

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Freelance Videographer and Marketing for local fitness business

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A Level Media, Film and Photography
2016 - 2018

I worked for My Student Events (MSE) editing videos and producing livestreams.

Working for a company allowed me to gain even more experience within the digital media world and eventually allowed me to become self-employed.

Advice: Follow your passion and create a portfolio early on, it will become very useful. Get your work out there!

https://www.behance.net/jorjrobert

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I am a video editor and digital creator. I have a passion for creating multimedia and have edited over 150 pieces of unique content through work and my own channel. I am looking to further my experience within the digital media sector. Contact me via email/DM for a quote.

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A Level Media Studies
2016 - 2018

Solent University in Southampton, Digital Marketing BA(Hons) Degree via Specsavers

When I finished my A-Levels, I gave myself a week of summer holidays before landing a job as temporary Marketing Executive in the Local Marketing team at Specsavers. The local marketing team is responsible for handling the marketing relationship with Specsavers store partners, providing support and guidance when it comes to their marketing plans. My role was to provide administrative, tactical and strategic marketing support to the managers and senior managers within the team.

Prior to me starting in the marketing executive role, I had applied for the Digital Marketing Apprenticeship that Specsavers was offering. The application and recruitment process was long and so it wasn't until 2 months into the marketing exec role in the local team that I found out I had got the job. My temporary executive role was cut short as I began in the Digital Marketing team as an apprentice in September 2018.

The apprenticeship offered a permanent role within the Digital Marketing team, working across all channels such as the following:

Programmatic display and paid social
Organic social
Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) and User Experience (UX)
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Web Content
Paid Search (PPC)
Website Administration

Alongside all this experience within the team, Specsavers also gave me the opportunity to complete a Digital Marketing BA(Hons) Degree with Southampton Solent University which I recently graduated from.

In the first year (and a bit) of my apprenticeship, I completed a foundation Digital Marketing Professional course with the Digital Marketing Institute. I also completed a wide variety of online training, as well as flying over to London to complete 9 Jellyfish courses in different Digital Marketing channels. Jellyfish are an amazing training company based in The Shard in London which is super cool! Prior to COVID it was great fun, and so motivating travelling over to London to complete training as well as visiting and working in our London media agencies.

I started the degree with Southampton Solent University in January 2020 and will finish in December 2023. Charlee-Mai, my fellow apprentice and I, travel over one day a week to complete lectures and seminars. Obviously during COVID we had to complete these online however things are back to normal now. I'm absolutely loving learning about the wider more traditional marketing channels. Working, earning and learning sounds so cliche but it really is one of the best opportunities I've ever been offered. I learn something new everyday and can apply my learnings from work to uni work and vice versa.

Advice:  One of the many things I've learnt over the last 3 years is that the industry is always changing and adapting, it's almost impossible to master it because it's evolving every day.

- No question is a silly question! Make sure to always be asking questions - it's likely others in the room are thinking of asking the same thing.

- Keep up to date with industry knowledge, websites like The Drum, Marketing Week, Campaign, Moz, Digital Marketing Institute, Mintel and Statista are all great for this.

- Be adaptable. As I mentioned, the industry is continuously evolving and changing and it's important that we're open to these changes.

- Throw yourself in the deep end! Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone will play a key part in building your confidence. You'll feel great after you've done it.

- Get involved with as much as you can. If you're specialising in one area, make sure to try and involve yourself in other areas too, whether that be shadowing others, inductions or even just extra curricular activities/committees. Get your name out there!

- Maintain contacts. Try to gather and keep as many key contacts in the industry as possible - you're likely to be able to help each other out in the future!

Specsavers: https://www.specsavers.co.uk

Facebook Ads Library: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=all&country=GG&media_type=all (Select UK, All Ads, and then type in Specsavers to see all the paid social ads we are currently running)

My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-windsor-995534176

Some marketing campaigns our department has worked on: https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/the-work/advertiser/specsavers/7884

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A Level Media Studies and Film Studies
2013 - 2015

I left school to work for  a PR agency as an office assistant, and then they began to train me to become a Junior Account Executive.

I began in an agency, as the office assistant, they created an apprenticeship scheme where I completed 3 years and 2 qualifications to become a PR practitioner. From there I went in-house to an offshore law firm where I learnt global Comms. I moved to London and began working for the global communications team at an international law firm, working within 27 offices across the world. I decided it was time for a break to pursue travelling desires which is when the pandemic hit and I came back home to Guernsey. I’m now an Account manager for a different local agency and my role has developed into being responsible for 3 juniors and supporting my director with running the business and the HR side of the business too.

I’m an account manager, my role includes running one of BV’s biggest accounts, alongside 4 other accounts with copywriting, local and global media relations, editing, advertising, events, social media, content production, pitching, creating comms plans etc.

Advice: To work hard and be confident. In the arts, persuading people you’re the expert and you know what you’re talking about. You have to graft, but the journey is fun and so rewarding on the other side. Believe in yourself, if you don’t, no one will.

https://black-vanilla.gg/

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A Level Media Studies
2016 - 2018

BA (Hons) Media Production - Bournemouth University

I began marketing myself as a freelance videographer / photographer during university, whilst also working for a London based magazine on a bi-monthly basis, shooting live shows and interviewing performing artists from London's underground music scene. I co-founded a film festival and ran the event that hosted between 200-300 people for a 4 hour event, set in Alexandroupolis, Greece, by the seaside. The festival debuted in 2020, during the pandemic - nothing stopped us! I then returned to Guernsey as I waited for a contract from my first full-time employer at a Digital Marketing agency in Nottingham, UK. I worked there for 7 months whilst also working after-hours as a  Creative Media Director for a London based tech incubator.

Having now quit my full-time role at the agency, I still work with the tech incubator on a freelance basis and started my own self-employed journey under the name 'Eagle Media Solutions'. This is my own business, currently based in Guernsey but will go with me wherever I decide to travel. I'm also pursuing a side-career as a voice actor. I also make music, write stories (scripts) and am starting my own social media brand focused on sharing non-fiction literature with an audience of self-educators and those who are passionate about learning about the world, themselves and others.

I'm currently running my own Media Solutions business called Champion Smith Creative. I offer a comprehensive array of services, from raw ideation, to planning, to post-production and VFX.

Advice: If you know, you know. This shouldn't have to feel like a job. Regardless of what you choose to do in life, make sure it's something you enjoy. Make sure you have a reason, too. Why waste your only life doing something you don't care about?

https://www.championsmithcreative.com/

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Full time photographer, The Guernsey Press. 

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A Level Media Studies
2014 - 2016

I went to CoFE after Sixth Form and did a 2 year course in Art & Design before seeking employment. After I left, I was working part-time at the Co-Op and doing some online studies whilst I was searching for my first full-time role. A vacancy popped up at Bailiwick Express which I applied for and was thankfully given the position. I worked there and was promoted from Junior Designer to Graphic Designer. My roles varied, mainly focusing on creating web adverts for clients and daily/weekly emails to send to subscribers, but also working in print production and sometimes photography.

I now work full-time at The Guernsey Press as a photographer.

My roles varies, mainly focusing on creating web adverts for clients and daily/weekly emails to send to subscribers, but also working in print production and sometimes photography.

Advice: In my experience, it is important to keep creating new ideas and projects not matter if they are big or small. Not only can these be used in your portfolio, you can also learn new tools, techniques and applications. Your portfolio should show off your passion to design and create as well as your skills and capabilities to use design apps or tools.

My portfolio: llpmedia.wordpress.com

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A Level Media Studies
2012 - 2014

BA (Hons) Media Production - Bournemouth University

My career path started during my uni years, as I was doing some self-employed/freelance work alongside my degree. I was working for my yoga teacher as her marketing content creator, designing posters and other print marketing materials for her business, as well as social media posts, photography and video content. I also started filming wedding videos here in Guernsey during my summer holidays, having filmed my cousin's wedding and decided it was something fun that I could do and create some income from and be able to offer to couples. I was also producing content for the university, and a university comparison company also reached out to me and asked if I could produce some video content for them, so this was all happening alongside my studying. It was my first taste of self-employment and I knew I loved that style of working, but when I was nearing the end of my degree and considering my next steps, I had a huge amount of pressure from my family and anyone I knew in the industry to get a job as an employee for a company to "get more experience first". It wasn't really what I wanted, but I trusted that they knew what was best for me if they had been in the same position.

In some ways they were right, and in other ways when I look back I realise that my intuition was right too. I landed a job with a creative and IT agency in Guernsey as a designer, and stayed for under a year. Whilst I did learn a lot of technical skills that I have since used, such as graphic design and HTML & CSS coding for web design projects, I didn't enjoy the 9-5 office life, being managed by someone else and working for big clients who I didn't have a connection with. It stifled my creativity and I knew I wanted to work in a more flexible, flowing and personal way.
I decided to take the risk to leave and work for myself full-time, continuing wedding videography and social media content creation for small businesses. I was offering every kind of creative service you could think of, and eventually realised that I didn't enjoy them all, and niched down to web and branding design, as well as family and newborn photography. I ran those as separate businesses for two years. The web design business didn't do hugely well during and post pandemic, but my photography business has thrived. So, now in my fourth year of self-employment, I am putting all my focus, time and creative energy into my photography business, which I am hoping to continue growing for the foreseeable future.

I'm a self-employed family and newborn photographer. As a solo business owner with no employees, all responsibilities are mine alone! They include organising shoots, communicating with clients, setting up and photographing the shoot, organising files, editing, fine-tuning and delivering the galleries, marketing my services on social media, designing those marketing materials (both print and digital), designing and maintaining my website, managing my finances and doing the accounts, creating business plans and strategies for the months ahead and launching new services, collaborating with other businesses (such as baby groups), and probably many more that I've not remembered! It's also hugely important that I am friendly, sociable and patient with my clients, who nearly always include young children and newborn babies. I need to create an experience for them that they enjoy and find relaxing and fun, in what can often be chaotic and a little stressful (e.g. toddlers running off, babies crying!). So that is a huge responsibility too!

Advice: If you're going into a creative job, you're most probably a creative person. Creative people are often more flexible, flowy and passionate than others, and I've learned how important it is to honour those parts of yourself in your work, otherwise you end up doing something you don't enjoy and feeling like you're wasting your time or going against who you are at your core. So aim for the thing that you absolutely adore whenever possible (and it may change - go with it!). Also, don't be afraid to follow your gut instincts and not be swayed by others who think they know the only path you should be taking. There are an infinite number of creative jobs or options out there and an equally infinite number of paths that take you there. You may have to start somewhere that you don't ultimately want to end up, but you will inevitably learn something (a skill, a technique or something about yourself) that will lead you to the next step. Trust that it will work out, and keep tuning in to how you feel and what you want to change to improve your work life. Oh and be afraid to say no - that's something I'm admittedly still working on, but it's a necessary skill in creative life!

stephbisson.com & instagram.com/stephbissonphotography

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Account Executive, TPA, Guernsey.

A Level Media Studies, Film and Art.
2014 - 2016

Leeds Arts University - BA Visual Communication

I specialised in video editing on my course at Leeds Arts University and totally loved it. We did some really amazing projects, a particular favourite was working with a group of my friends to host a DJ night in Leeds, where we created DJ visuals and edited about 4 hours worth of animation footage. So much fun - and so challenging.

I found it hard to find jobs in this niche, especially when I wanted to come back to Guernsey. So I decided to broaden my horizons a little bit, and take on other creative skills - more so in planning, briefing, assisting and idea generation.

Obviously, coming back is a bit of a whirlwind, you don’t always know what you want to do,  you don’t just fall into creative jobs straight away, and I took some time to temp at a bank in Guernsey. It was scanning work, but the team was lovely and we had great fun, amazing socials and I learned good office skills.

I picked up a few filming jobs on the island to keep my creativity ticking over (which was a bit scary as I had never really ventured into freelance.) and then I threw myself into an opportunity at Oi Group. (A full service agency in advertising and marketing.)

I didn’t know really what agency life was going to bring or what was what at first, but you work it out.

I’m now moving onto another agency in Guernsey, TPA, so I can grow my marketing skill set even further.

I look after the clients of the agency. We help get briefs together for the designers, I help schedule social, or assist on video shoots, attend client meetings and create exciting strategies to help brands to grow over a long period.

I’m not making video content at the moment, but there’s always room for it to grow and to fit it back in at some point in the future.

The best part of the job is working with a creative team, discussing what we like, how we can push design and what we can do to stand out from the crowd.

This role has a lot of “admin” and responsibilities. It is my job to make sure projects are delivered on time, at an excellent quality and on budget. Budgeting, planning and strategy are all big parts of agency creative work. I can see the full project now (rather than just the fun bits) which is so important so you can make a really effective campaign and keep happy clients!

Update: June 2022 - now work for TPA, a leading advertising and marketing agency in Guernsey.

Advice:  Just do it. It’s not an easy ride to get started a lot of the time and people might put you off it. But it’s so worth it, and it’s so rewarding. The world relies on you so much more than it makes out.

Any opportunity is a good opportunity, take them all and you’ll build a better picture of what you want to do with the more experience you get. I'm very much still working it out!

Do what you want to do don’t let other people distract you from being creative!

Finally, creativity comes in all shapes and forms. You don’t have to be a designer to be creative, think outside the box….

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A Level Media Studies
2013 - 2015

University of Winchester, Digital Media Design BA

After graduating, I accepted a temporary marketing role, then went on to travel. During the pandemic, I started freelancing for a company, doing design and product photography.

I then did a Social Media Marketing diploma - and now offer Social Media Management, Design & Branding and Product Photography for clients.

Currently, I am based in Australia and a Freelance Creative focused on Brand & Web Designer, Social Media Marketing and I focus on:  Instagram · Social Media Strategy · Typography · Graphics · Digital Designs · Design · Graphic Design · Branding & Identity · Web Design · Social Media · Adobe Photoshop · InDesign · Social Media Marketing · Logo Design · Adobe InDesign · Adobe Creative Suite · Adobe Illustrator

Advice:  Learn by doing. Be patient with yourself, try different things. Watch YouTube tutorials!  Find out what you like and what your good at. Start considering your niche. If you are a creative, there are so many options for you! :)

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A Level Media Studies and Film Studies
2013 - 2015

BA (Hons) Media Production at Bournemouth University

I studied at BU for 3 years, creating audio pieces, documentaries and short films. After I graduated I did some odd runner jobs on films and commercial projects for a few months before landing myself a full time job as Commercial Video Editor, creating ads for the e-commerce side of a social media company. This then led to me starting another role in the company and becoming a videographer and editor, creating original content across a variety of brands within the business for social media platforms.

My current role at Jungle Creations is Videography Manager
which involves: YouTube · Film Production · Video Post-Production · Cameras · Lighting · Video Production · Video Editing · Videography · Podcasting · Video Podcasts

I previously was employed as a Senior Social Programming Production Executive at the same company.

Some examples of projects I've worked on:

https://www.facebook.com/FourNine/videos/this-artist-paints-what-she-sees-when-tasting-galaxy-fusions-chocolate-and-its-a/551579899378909/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81NjQlipf5Y

https://www.instagram.com/p/CP-YUHsIF0M/

Advice: My advice would be to just get stuck in, if you want to create and make things, whether that's a physical product, a short film, a podcast, a documentary, anything - just do it and don't let anything hold you back. Just create create create, if that's what you love doing, do it and don't listen to the naysayers.

And I know it's cliche, but it's so important to network! (Honestly this is still something I struggle with) But get to know other like minded individuals and collaborate. You will learn so much from other people, and they'll probably have a lot to learn from you!

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Documentary Filmmaker / Video Editor / Photographer

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A Level Media Studies
2014 - 2016

Media Production BSc at De Montfort University and Feature Documentary Filmmaking MA at Bath Spa University

During university I did all sorts of freelance work to gain experience, which included videography, photography and later web design, as well as work placements in the Jersey's ITV News and then working in the marketing department at Guernsey Electricity in the summer breaks. I decided I wanted to work in documentary filmmaking, so chose to study further and completed a Masters at Bath Spa with distinction.  After finishing university, whilst job hunting, I was working freelance as a web designer until I found the perfect role.

I'm a Documentary Editor at EM Productions (also known as Entertain Me). I create my own 45-90 documentaries, so my responsibilities include developing ideas and concepts for programs and projects, researching, writing scripts, engaging and directing voice over artists, locating and securing contributors, interviewing, filming, sourcing archive and editing shows ready for distribution. I also edit trailers and any other promotional material for the show, working the marketing department and with graphic designers.

Advice:  Keep pushing! That was the advice I was given, and it's true. It takes time and it's extremely competitive but you have to keep pushing and work really hard.

https://www.entertainmeus.com

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IB Film Studies
2014 - 2016

I studied BA (Hons) Film Practice at University of the Arts London

My degree was almost entirely practical which meant we got make lots of films and try our hand at different aspects of filmmaking in order to decide what roles suited us the most. Although I specialised in Writing and Directing, I also gained a lot of experience in Production Design and since leaving university I have worked on a number of films in this capacity. During the pandemic I moved back to Guernsey and have enjoyed working on local film productions such as 'Occupied', 'A La Perchoine' and 'Dare to Dream'. I am hoping to move back to London in the near future and continue with my filmmaking career with the goal of becoming a Writer and Director.

I am now based in South-East London where I am a writer and director specialising in the genre of comedy-drama.

Advice: It sounds simple and oh so cliched, but do what you love and make the work you want to make! This is your life and your career so don't let anyone else's opinions have too much of an impact on your decisions.

Another cliche here (and one I hate to hear as a serial procrastinator): make as much work as possible. Also try and collaborate with other like-minded people on projects and network with other creatives; not only is it great to build up a varied portfolio but it can also lead to exciting connections and work.

Certainly when I was at school there seemed to be a lot of emphasis put on academic subjects and it definitely felt like a choice to pursue the arts was looked down upon and not really considered as a serious venture. This meant that I wasn't aware of the vast variety of creative degrees and jobs available- so I would definitely suggest that anyone interested in pursing a degree looks at the courses available on university websites.

https://danajungerius.com/

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A Level Media Studies and Art
2013 - 2015

I got a position as a Creative Apprentice at Specsavers Creative straight after 6th Form.

I am now a Creative Copywriter for Specsavers Creative. I work alongside an Art Director to concept, write and design campaigns and media for the company. We work with different media on a daily basis such as: radio, print, TV, press and out of home. Our briefs (mainly) come from the marketing department who come to us with requests for an advert or entire campaign around an offer, message or service they want to advertise - and we come up with the creative idea and design to do that.

Advice:  Don’t give up on trying to get your foot through the door. Creative industries can be hard to get into, so it’s easy to give up. But if you enjoy being creative, it will be a very rewarding job.

lucyweetman.com (I haven’t updated this in a while)

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A Level Media Studies and Film Studies
2014 - 2016

BA Creative Musicianship at ICMP (London).

Even though I took a music degree, the course included designing promo material, photo shoots and album artwork, which I started doing for fellow students as well as for my own project.

I completed freelance during Uni then spent a year at Stratagem Design and now an Integrated Production Artist at Specsavers.  The role includes producing and reworking design to suit various advertising formats including print, web and social media.

Advice: Don't compromise on your creativity. Despite not having qualifications in graphic design, somehow my portfolio content managed to convince employers I had potential!

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A Level Media Studies
2012 - 2014

Bournemouth University - BA (Hons) Advertising

During university, we all had to do a year's work experience, which I took back here in Guernsey at a local IT agency, Donkeylogic. I then finished my degree and Donkeylogic asked me back after graduation, and that's where I am now - although it's now called Delimited.

My job title is a Creative, and my role within the company is varied because it is a small company.

In-house, I do all of the marketing and social media. We recently rebranded and I came up with the logo and all of the branding.

The other, larger, side of my role is in graphic and web design. In terms of graphic design, this is everything from logos and adverts to social media artwork, re-brands or any other promotional materials like booklets or leaflets. Web design is the other part where I work with clients to design and develop their website to match the look and functionality they desire.

Advice: My main advice would be to get experience and practice skills outside of 6th Form as much as possible. I did freelance graphic design work for clients outside of 6th Form to create a portfolio, and I learnt some website coding alongside studying for my degree. Both meant that I could stand out from other people and widened my skill set for potential employers.

My other piece of advice would be to soak up popular culture. In my case, for advertising, it meant watching a lot of adverts and being up to date in current affairs so that I could be critical and understand them from the creator's point of view.

https://delimited.solutions/portfolio/

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Marketing Executive, Buzz Creative Studio

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A Level Media Studies and Art

2016 - 2018

BA Fashion Styling and Creative Direction, Southampton Solent University.

At Buzz, I am now managing a team and absolutely love what I do. Each day is different in the role but we work to create innovative marketing campaigns and specialise particularly in social media management. The agency lifestyle is fast-paced and diverse and I really enjoy working alongside like-minded creatives.

I began my career working in London as a Social Media Manager for a vintage fashion brand. I now work for Buzz Creative Studio as a Marketing Executive.

My love for media developed during my degree in BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Creative Direction, when I created a magazine which focused on female empowerment and inclusivity within a younger generation. Before returning to Guernsey I also worked as a Personal Shopper and Freelance Stylist in London.

I always demonstrate my flair and attention to detail in everything that I do, and my positive can-do attitude enables me to dive into every task.

Advice: Go for it! Pursue your dreams and don’t be afraid to embark on a creative career. There is never a dull moment, no day is the same and it’s always an exciting and fast paced industry where the opportunities are endless.

jodietrott.com

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Assistant Garment Technologist, Sylvia Jeffrey

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A Level Media Studies, Art and Photography
2015 - 2017

BA Hons De Montfort University, Fashion Buying with Garment Technology.

My university course had a placement year, in which I worked as an assistant garment technologist. After I finished university my placement asked me back to work full-time.

I am now an Assistant Garment Technologist. I’m responsible for the fit and performance of garments. I work closely with designers to develop their designs into production pieces.

Advice: Go for it. If you plan to go to university, try find a course with a placement as it’s a great way to see if it’s the type of career you want, also is very helpful after you’ve finished university as it shows you have experience. If you aren’t planning on going to university, try find some work experience you could do for a week to see if it’s something you want to do.

www.Sylviajeffery.com

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A Level Media Studies and Photography
2015 - 2017

Plymouth College of Art, BA(Hons) Graphic Design. Although, the course has since been renamed to BA(Hons) Graphic Communication.

My journey was actually incredibly arduous. In September 2017, I began my freelance brand. I worked on numerous briefs; predominantly voluntary to gain experience. I worked for a wide variety of clients such as Plymouth Argyle Football Club and Westcountry Wasps RFC, and collaborated with numerous organisations. Most notably The Chestnut Appeal for Male Health on my third year final major project, Extra Time. I then graduated from University with a 2.1 in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and I found that my freelance work under my brand name (3 years old at this point) dried up just as fast as creative jobs. Design roles are a dog eat dog process as it is, so the reduction in job economy hurt it even more. I worked odd jobs, such as at the local Royal Mail Delivery Office, until I was lucky enough to secure a role as the sole graphic designer on the Interreg2Seas Flavour Project with Plymouth Marjon University.

My main roles are in the creation of a full training guide (which includes numerous materials such as card games, editorials, brochures and posters, Web design, video editing and motion design, etc). On the side, I freelance as Excessive Noise. I specialise in bringing unapologetically loud ideas to life for cool ethical projects, small businesses, and local startups. This can involve conceptual work and branding down to minor things like social media work and singular briefs.

Advice: At the beginning, take every job or brief you can even if it means pro bono work. Experience and contacts are worth more than gold at that stage of your life. Once you have them? Don't let anyone take you for a ride. Only you can know your own worth, and you should charge accordingly.

Excessive Noise: www.linktr.ee/excessivenoise
Flavour: https://www.interreg2seas.eu/en/FLAVOUR

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A Level Media Studies
2019 - 2021

I went straight to Orchard PR as a Junior Account Executive .

I am learning on the job about clients and am hands on with my specific client accounts. I an undertaking my PR (Public Relations) Qualifications and will be learning on the job as well as undertaking her PR qualifications with the CIPR when I will add professional expertise to my content creation and creative writing skills.

Advice: Take every opportunity you’re faced with and be yourself. Employers like people who are themselves, be open and friendly with everyone.

orchardpr.com

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A Level Media Studies, Art and Film Studies
2014 - 2016

BA Illustration at Arts University Bournemouth.

When I graduated in lockdown 2020, I wasn't entirely sure what my next move was, so I started to research what agencies and creative careers were around Guernsey. I made a list of creative places and reached out to them with a CV and portfolio of my work. I then received a response from my now current workplace Buzz, who I met up with then completed a brief that they gave me. They loved what I produced then offered me a job!

Advice: Pursue it! I think a lot of people can be intimidated by going into a creative industry (myself included) because it can be competitive, but if you don't try you'll never get a chance. I never expected to get a job in the design and I'm extremely proud of myself for doing it, it's a great industry to be in and I'd recommend it to anyone considering

My personal art instagram is:  https://www.instagram.com/meganmarett_/
and my work's website is https://www.buzz.gg

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A Level Media Studies
2016 - 2018

I went straight to employment with the Specsavers Digital Marketing Apprenticeship where I began as a Digital Marketing Apprentice before being promoted to Website User Experience and Optimisation Executive. Specsavers enabled me to gain a BA Hons in Digital Marketing the the Southampton Solent University. I was previously responsible for UK, Ireland and Spain website and the experience our customers have online.

Recently, I have moved on from Specsavers and I began a role as Associate Consultant at Conversion which is an amazing opportunity for me to develop my career in CRO & Experimentation.

Advice: Go for any opportunity that jumps at you. Even if the job doesn't pay well, you don't use their products or services or it's a small unknown business or agency. Your career is a ladder to success and sometimes you really do have to start at the bottom.