The Media Mentor

Do you tell people you are passionate about PR? Journalism? Communications? Media?It's one of the most overused words in job applications, CVs and interviews. But does telling an employer you're passionate about something actually mean anything?In this episode I chat to Sarolta Acs, a Budapest-based PR professional, educator and mentor who has worked on international campaigns for brands including Samsung, Starbucks, Pepsi and Schweppes. We share a frustration with the word 'passion' and explore why candidates need to stop making claims about their enthusiasm and instead start demonstrating their skills, knowledge and experience.Sarolta also explains how her PR CAMP (Career Accelerator Mentor Program) helps aspiring PR professionals bridge the gap between university and the workplace, using an agency-style simulation to develop practical skills and confidence.About The Media MentorI have helped hundreds of people like Katya navigate their careers in journalism, radio, podcasting, broadcasting and communications. This is is done through one-to-one sessions, including CV reviews, application and cover letter advice, interview preparation and wider career mentoring.You can book via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.For all the latest job listings head here.To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to build a successful career in television journalism? And how do you know when you're ready to take the next step?In this episode I talk to Katya Fowler, an ITV journalist covering Wales, to reflect on her journey from university graduate to reporting for one of the UK's biggest broadcasters.When Katya first contacted me in 2021, she was working as a video journalist at KMTV in Kent. Despite having valuable experience in filming, editing, producing packages and presenting news, she was struggling to secure interviews for her next career move. Listen to find out how I helped her progress and the lessons she has learned since.This includes adapting to unfamiliar political systems and building contacts in a small community to learning the importance of writing television scripts to pictures. She also explains why collaboration, asking questions and learning from experienced colleagues are essential to becoming a better journalist. Perhaps most importantly, Katya reflects on the opportunities she nearly talked herself out of, the value of being patient when the right job doesn't come along, and why rejection can sometimes be a useful signal that there is still more to learn.About The Media MentorI have helped hundreds of people like Katya navigate their careers in journalism, radio, podcasting, broadcasting and communications. This is is done through one-to-one sessions, including CV reviews, application and cover letter advice, interview preparation and wider career mentoring.You can book via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.For all the latest job listings head here.To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode I am on the road at the Community Media Festival in London, meeting people working across radio, podcasts and audio.The episode begins with radio futurologist James Cridland, who argues that while listeners can now get music, news and information from almost anywhere, the need for human connection and shared experience hasn't disappeared.I also speak to Aradhna Tayal Leach, Managing Director of the Audio Academy, about the organisation's move from the Radio Academy to the Audio Academy and why that change reflects the much broader world of audio today. Aradhna explains why audio's greatest strength is its ability to create a deep, personal connection with an audience.Lauren Underwood, radio presenter and host of the event, talks about how community radio helped her get started and why she believes people entering media shouldn't feel they have to have their entire career mapped out.Dom Chambers of Sound Vision explains why community media can provide a valuable pathway into the industry for people who might otherwise never see themselves as part of it and CMA council member Kevin Field talks about what community means to him.About The Media MentorI have helped hundreds of people navigate their careers in journalism, radio, podcasting, broadcasting and communications.This is is done through one-to-one sessions, including CV reviews, application and cover letter advice, interview preparation and wider career mentoring.You can book via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.For all the latest job listings head here.To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I talk to Jonathan Paterson, Chair of Trustees at the John Schofield Trust, about the changing pathways into journalism and why mentoring, networking and practical support can make such a difference to people starting out.The traditional route into journalism once often involved starting at a local newspaper or radio station before moving on to bigger organisations. But as local opportunities have declined, university and postgraduate courses have become increasingly important, potentially creating new barriers because of their cost and accessibility.At the same time, a growing independent media and creator sector is opening up new possibilities. But, as Jonathan explains, many of the people succeeding in that space are already established journalists, making it difficult for newcomers to break in.Jonathan also discusses the John Schofield Trust's mentoring, networking and masterclass programmes, including work designed to support emerging leaders and improve the retention of diverse talent within the industry.The John Schofield Trust works to improve social mobility in UK and Irish newsrooms through mentoring and other support programmes. Find out more about its work here.About The Media MentorI have helped hundreds of people navigate their careers in journalism, radio, podcasting, broadcasting and communications.This is is done through one-to-one sessions, including CV reviews, application and cover letter advice, interview preparation and wider career mentoring.You can book via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.For all the latest job listings head here.To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much should you work for free to get into the media industry? Volunteering, work experience, internships and placements can all be valuable ways to develop skills, build confidence and make contacts. But where is the line between gaining meaningful experience and simply doing a job without being paid?In this episode I chat to Emily Robinson-Hardy, a journalism student at the University of Northampton whose route into the industry has been anything but conventional.Before studying journalism, Emily was a semi-professional magician and appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Britain's Got Talent and America's Got Talent. She also became a member of the Magic Circle.Now preparing for her final year of a journalism degree, Emily has gained considerable experience through volunteering and community radio.She joins me to ask some difficult questions about working for free in media.As the Media Mentor I help people navigate careers in journalism, radio, podcasting, broadcasting and communications.I offer one-to-one support including CV reviews, application and cover letter advice, interview preparation and wider career mentoring.You can book via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.For all the latest job listings head here.To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.