Work Experience Can Be a Foot in the Door

Work shadowing isn't just about the skills and experience you pick up - it's also about who you meet. Just ask Paige Beresford, 18 from Glasgow. 

A picture of the Glasgow waterfront, including the Squinty bridge. Has the words "Foot In The Door" across the bottom.

Paige is currently working as a Modern Apprentice at BBC Scotland.  Paige found out about the opportunity from someone she met during a placement at a radio station.

Paige's story 

I thought I wanted to be an English teacher, but after carrying out some work experience in a school, I realised that it just wasn't for me.  I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do so thought I would try a few different things. It's when I decided to do some work experience at Clyde 1 that I remember saying to my mum "THIS is what I want to do for the rest of my life."

Get as much work experience as possible, meet new people and learn lots - you never know what it will lead to.

During my Clyde 1 experience, I had the opportunity to speak to different people from the media industry and one of them was BBC Scotland journalist Marianne Taylor.  I asked if I could have her email address and keep in touch.  She kind of became a mentor to me.  It inspired me so I started writing articles for my school newspaper and reviews for the local cinema.  I also got involved in Future News, a conference for young journalists which meant I got to report live from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 

Marianne emailed me out of the blue one day with an advert for a position within the BBC Scotland Digital Creative Modern Apprenticeship programme.  I was lucky enough to be selected and I now work and train as an Apprentice at the BBC.  I rotate around 10 different departments from audio and digital to filming and get a college qualification too.  Right now, I'm based in a music radio department.  The most exciting thing so far has been sitting in on live sessions with bands.  

Our top tips

A polaroid photo of Paige, the person who wrote the article.