Report for BBC Visit

BBC Sports talk visit 16^th December 2011

My experience in going into the BBC building was very insightful. I sat in on a live radio sports show being broadcasted on BBC radio Humberside.  This was set up through former chief sports editor David Burns, and also current editor, Matt Dean.

The show lasted one hour. My aim within that hour was to gain a useful contact, and glean information, and ask questions regarding the way the BBC sports team operates. As one of my aims in my career is to become involved in broadcasting sports journalism, I thought that this may be a valuable experience, although only brief and informal. Upon arriving, I was asked questions regarding my course and my aspirations within journalism. This was something that opened a conversation regarding my career so far and my learning at university, and how this has impacted my aspirations within the field. We discussed how he (Matt Dean), first became involved in journalism, and where and what he studied. This was extremely beneficial to me as it was the first time we had met, and it made the experience comfortable, and enjoyable.  The activity itself for me was not practical, but rather an observation, and an insight into how to conduct particulars such as operate the studio, and to talk live on air, and how to assemble a broad range of topics to discuss. His personality on the show was professional, and he asked good questions to the listeners. He made it look easy and enticed interaction with the audience. Upon reflection, the way he conducted himself on air and the whole experience of the show was something I could see myself becoming more involved within. Before going in for the show, I was not sure if broadcasting on the radio would be something I would have been as interested in, in comparison to television or writing. This experience definitely allowed me to see myself in that position, live in the studio, even though it was only for a short period of time. It is something that I could be enthusiastic towards, such as presenting a broadcast radio show, and being informal and chatty towards the audience, which is something I would personally find more comfortable, rather than a corporate and formal business approach. Although only a small portion of what I would like to do, I would like to develop a further experience within radio, and I will also make more contact with the BBC sports desk, about the possibility of becoming more involved in a practical manner. 

I would have however liked to have already achieved some practical experience, but I have encountered a very problematic route in gaining this. I have gleaned that as with the nature of the working environment in journalism, it is not always easy to be accommodated, and there are not a wide range of practical experiences that I was opened up to. As the area is so sought after, I feel that the capacity for want is more than the availability that is on offer, therefore meaning a narrow bracket of opportunity for valuable experience.

In light of this, that is why I decided to gain the experience that I did. Although not an immense amount of experience, it was something I was unsure about before entering the sports department at the BBC, but from doing so, it has helped me understand further areas I wish to develop within, and I wish to continue to build upon this.

In the near future, I am hoping to set up more experience with the BBC Humberside sports team, and possibly go to matches with them, and see how they operate. I have also made contact with a local amateur football club, after applying for a student position. This is at Scarborough Athletic F.C, as they are in need of a reporter, to conduct interviews, do photography, match reports, and also to commentate on their station ‘Seadogs live.’ This opportunity would meet the majority of my experience requirements in the areas that I am interested in. I will pursue this, along with other similar opportunities, to gain as much experience as possible. I am also hoping to attend other amateur sports such as Ice Hockey, and Rugby league, to conduct short match reports, and interviews with players, as part of building up a wide portfolio.

My future career aspirations are to top up my current degree and specialise within an area, or possibly go into broadcast journalism. I am currently seeking universities that will accommodate a top up to my current degree, in preparation. I am also hoping to attain a TEFL qualification, which would enable me to teach English as a foreign language. I am hoping to qualify in this in the beginning of 2012. As part of this, I can also travel to other countries to teach, and therefore start to build a portfolio of travel writing whilst also working and gaining some experience. This would be something I would carry out over the summer period, and also the following year, as I aim to travel for at least a year. Within that time I would hope to accomplish a vast portfolio of sports, and travel journalism work and also any other experiences that I venture across.

I am preparing for all of this, and planning to experience as much as possible throughout my career in journalism. I would like to attain as many contacts and local experience as I can, as I plan to move abroad, and expand on my experiences already gained within the filed. My aim by that time would to become self-employed freelancing in travel and sports journalism, and to have a column in a national newspaper in whatever country I would be living.

I feel the experience within the BBC sports department was successful for what I wished to achieve, and for what was possible within the opportunities that I was offered. I have gained a contact for future reference, and also I have explored an area that I was unsure of, and become more assured about a path that I may wish to pursue in the future in my career.