January
2003
The Broadcast Journalist |
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| Kelly
Smith |
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Being
a journalist can be one of the most exciting jobs in the world.
You need to be nosey and have the tenacity of a Jack Russell terrier.
Kelly tells us how she made it.... |
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I managed
to blag my way into BBC Radio Derby as a fresh faced fifteen year
old on a day's work experience as part of my GCSE's.
My skills included making the tea, carrying boxes and basically bossing
everyone about under the false impression that I knew it all!
After convincing the powers that be to keep me, eight years later
I'm one of the station's youngest members of staff and have moved
on from those beginnings to reporting, reading the news and producing
programmes.
After two years hard slog doing my A levels I did consider not bothering
with University and trying my hand at the radio business full time.
On reflection I don't think I'd have been in the position I am now
if I hadn't done my degree.
I spent three years of my life at The Nottingham Trent University
studying Broadcast Journalism. I was taught law, politics, social
science as well as gaining practical experience in both radio and
telly.
When I came out, having spent a lot of my spare time still working
at BBC Radio Derby, I managed to work seven days a week as a freelance,
eventually getting a contract in the newsroom and then a permanent
staff position.
I've covered stacks of stuff in the last few years on everything from
the loss of 700 jobs in a Derbyshire town, to a story about mens'
pants.
I've also had the opportunity to cover my own exclusive story on the
Pride Park Jubilee Pageant charity money - or rather the lack of it.
My reporting and research dominated the programme which won a Sony
Radio Academy Gold Award (British radios equivalent of an oscar) and
then went on to gain a further two BBC awards for achievement in local
radio.
I'm barely 5ft tall and of small build - I don't look like your average
hard nosed hack and I didn't get the job I have because my parents
or a friend of a friend knew someone who'd give me a go - I was just
determined.
At a recent awards ceremony, and totally sober, I told Greg Dyke that
I wanted to be Director General by the time I was thirty - so watch
this space!
More
case studies
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| Your
comments on this story |
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Faizal Zainool
You got to play it before you actually make it . This is what Kelly did. Fantastic story, you are young and moving on.
Simon English
Great story, bit of hard work goes a long way....
Mark James
Micheal - univercity is spelt university
micheal
this website should write the courses which is offer in this univercity...
mark james
A funny and informative story of young journalist destined for great things.
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