Do everything and get stuck in. That was the message given to students with a passion for the arts when journalist, broadcaster and Old Waconian (Class of 1985) Miranda Sawyer, plus many more media professionals offered advice at CHS’s Careers in the Creative Industries event.
Current and former students heard Miranda speak of her own career and experiences before she revealed that it wasn’t an Oxbridge Law degree, but determination and resilience, which helped her on the road to success in securing her first media role as a writer for Smash Hits magazine.
In a discussion with the School’s Head of Drama Ms Clare Harms, Miranda said passion, originality and making the most of every opportunity plays a huge part in securing a creative career. She said: “If you want to go into the creative industries, you’ll need to be creative about it. You have to work within parameters, but it’s the creativity you exercise within them that will mark you out.”
She continued: “If you get given the work, just get on and get it done – you learn the most by just going and doing it!”
The talk was followed by a Q&A session with a panel of professionals from the CHS Community currently working in the media and theatre industries including the Managing Director of MUTV, the Deputy Editor of BBC Breakfast, Director of Journalism at the University of Salford, writers in TV and theatre, actors and presenters.
Speaking at the event, Journalist, Broadcaster and Lecturer Caroline Cheetham echoed Miranda’s comments and advised: “Say no to nothing and say yes to everything! That’s how you get yourself out there.”
Commenting on her role as a Journalist, Caroline said: “People give you a window into their lives… it’s a real privilege, and now is a fantastic time to enter the creative industries here in the North.”
Reinforcing the importance of gaining work experience, Director of Journalism at University of Salford Paul Broster commented: “A degree is not enough; you need get stuck in and grab every opportunity you can.”
Following the Q&A, students and parents visited stands from employers in the creative industries and attended a networking session with members of the panel.
Take a look at photos from the evening in our Media Gallery.
