Students get career boost as media industry flocks to networking day

In the first session of its kind since the pandemic began, up to 90 television and radio production students attended a TV and radio networking day at the MediaCity campus on Wednesday 2 November where they met and learnt from the very best within the industry that are neighbours to the campus in Salford Quays.

Students got the chance to listen to and learn from teams at the BBC including staff from their entertainment, children and entertainment teams, BBC Morning Live, ITV’s Coronation Street and the broadcaster’s subsidiary production company MultiStory Media, broadcast equipment company Lens Flare TV, radio and podcast makers AudioAlways and the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Network scheme.

The sessions included a runner’s workshop, a discussion on how to kickstart a career in television, an industry networking lunch and a chance to have one-to-one discussions on CVs with production and talent executives from the BBC and the freelance sector.

Lyndon Saunders, programme leader for BA TV and Radio Production said: “It was brilliant to be able to return to our networking day in person where we can get everyone in one room and give our students the chance to really network and build relationships with the industry.

“It was also clear that it was a massive day for industry too as they were all keen to come and see what the next crop of talent is like. We nearly had as many industry representatives there as the number of students.”

He explained that the sector is currently experiencing a surplus of available entry level positions as many of those who worked in the roles prior to the pandemic switched careers during and have not since returned to their formal roles.

Lyndon added: “There really has never been a better time to get into the industry, particularly here in Salford, with the number of opportunities that are available. Days like this are so valuable because production work isn’t advertised in the same way as other roles so it’s really about building connections and making sure you’re in the right place and know the right people to get those early career opportunities.”

To make this point clear and to ensure that students took advantage of the opportunities, they were tasked with attending a minimum number of networking sessions on the day.

Find more information about the BA Television and Radio Production course.