Course Overview
With the broadcast sector changing rapidly and competition for jobs getting harder and harder, knowing the professional practices of a broadcast freelancer and how to put them into action can really help you stand out from the crowd.
You’re Hired! Professional Practice for Broadcast Freelancers aims to provide core freelance skills; giving you the knowledge, skills and career strategies to succeed as a freelancer in the broadcast sector.
The course is brought to you by Birmingham School of Media and NTI Birmingham, at Birmingham City University, and runs for two days, followed by a distance learning period.
Delegates from the course are also awarded 20 academic credits towards a Masters degree, as part of Skillset’s UK-wide Build Your Own MA programme (www.bcu.ac.uk/byoma).
Entry Requirements
This is a stand alone module aimed at graduates who are currently, or who are planning to be freelancers in the broadcast media industry, and who are looking to professionalise their career.
Course Content
The course covers skills such as how to network and make the most out of contacts, career planning, skill evaluation and how to adapt to different environments in a fast, ever-changing industry.
In addition to this, you will build confidence in your skills and ability, learn about the business side of the industry by looking at different contracts, rate setting and obligations as well as building upon your image and presence by creating a showreel, website and killer CV.
It encourages you to work on your own business as well as being part of a business and in doing so, seeks to provide lifelong industry skills and set you up for a promising career.
Course Structure
You’re Hired! will be taught as two full time days at NTI Birmingham, followed by two months of online distance learning.
You will also have the opportunity to develop your knowledge further with supported online study where you will take part in a variety of online exercises, forums and projects.
You'll explore a number of key areas of professional development both individually and within groups.
Assessment
Portfolio Assessment (100%)
A portfolio of activities equivalent to 5,000 words which include:
- Two skills audits. One that would have been completed before the module began, and another at the end of the course to see progression and improvement.
- A professional profile appropriate to your career plan. This will be created with support from tutors.
- A reflective evaluation of their own career development, demonstrating an understanding of their existing skills, experience and strategies.
- Completing a final ‘mock’ interview.
Tutors
The course is taught by Hilary Jones and Alison Grade who will be joined by industry guest speakers to share their experiences and advise you.
There will also be an academic tutor, Caroline Officer, who will be providing support for your assessment and will ensure all learning outcomes are achieved.
Hilary Jones
Hilary is currently Production Manager for BBC Birmingham and has over 20 years' professional experience, most recently Countryfile.
Alison Grade
Alison has over 10 years' experience working in media production. Alison still produces short films, while running her own business working as a business advisor and mentor to businesses in the creative industries, as well as lecturing on entrepreneurship, marketing and media production.