Progression Routes within the media By Callum Paton

Progression opportunities within the Creative media Sector Higher education courses (HE) are qualifications that prepare people without a proper qualification for study within university. An example of HE within the media industry would be going to Ravensbourne college to study digital media which would prepare them for study in media at university. Work experience is a form of temporary work within a company doing very simple tasks mainly for gaining experience and getting an insight to the industry. An example of work experience within the media could be managing a website for a small business or taking photos for companies use such as product photography or promotional images. Training opportunities are when you get a qualification ect from somewhere other than a college or university for example you can take online training courses in many subjects and gain a qualification or you can do training whilst in a job and the employer would pay for it. In the media you can do training courses online such as the Udemy photography training course or you could get training in a job such as photography assistant.

University UCAS is an organisation that processes applications to universities and colleges and most other higher education courses. Different courses require a different number of UCAS points to get in, which can be gained through college courses and the higher grade you get in your course the more UCAS points you get. For example in my course a pass will give you 72 points, merit 120 points and a distinction 168 points. There a many different degree courses I would be interested in taking to progress in my career. Photography at university for creative arts Film making at Nottingham Trent university. Graphics and digital design Staffordshire university

Degree courses Learn the art of filmmaking on this exciting degree course, focusing on the production of original, entertaining, and influential film content. Undertake the roles of film writer, director, and producer while working on real-life briefs with industry. You’ll learn key technical skills, such as location scouting, editing, lighting and camera operating, using industry-standard video and audio equipment. Learn from course staff with industry experience in areas such as directing, producing and scriptwriting. Website: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/find-your-course/art- design/ug/2018-19/ba-hons-filmmaking

Degree courses cont… The Graphics and Digital Design programme will develop your technical ability in digital typography, image manipulation, multimedia/web design and design for print. You will be increasingly exposed to professional standard briefs encouraging you to develop your research, communication and problem solving skills. You will be taught visual skills enabling you to express yourself clearly, drawing upon how others have responded to the environment. Workplace skills will also be part of the course, students will for example be expected to plan and cost products, produce marketing material etc. http://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/USFC-04759.jsp

Pros and Cons of HE (Higher Education) courses You can get a higher level of education which can help when getting a job as employers are more likely to give it to you other someone without a degree. Help with life training as for many it’s the first time they’ve lived away from home so the must learn how to survive alone. Being a graduate is positive for your identity Cons You have a large debt holding over you If you choose the wrong degree (a career you decide you no longer interested in) you have a large debt with no prospects and/or you may have to gain a further debt to re-train There may be a decline in careers in that sector on the year you graduate, that you were not aware about when enrolling

Work experience What are the opportunities in your local area to gain work experience? List with address and contact details where you could contact to gain on the job work experience Insert picture of business and current project they have undertook

Pros and Cons of Work experience It makes your CV look good to an employer. It gives you a chance to branch out and get connections It gives you something to talk about in interviews Its gives you new skills Cons You don’t get paid It takes time out of your day You can easily get a job in the media industry with just work experience as most companies don’t require you to have a qualification. A first job you could get in the industry with work experience could be a runner and work your way up or something like an assistant photographer. I believe that an apprenticeship does count as work experience because you are getting more job based skills and experience.

Training There are many ways in which you can do media related training such as online courses which are all over the internet and can be completed from home and also many local companies and employers can give training whilst on the job. Here are some places in which you can get media based training http://www.aspirephotographytraining.co.uk/training-courses/ This is a paid course in which you are taught the main elements of photography and how to take and edit photos. https://alison.com/tag/digital-creative-design This is a free cause aimed at people studying digital graphics and is designed to help them in their studies.

Pros and Cons of Training By training an employee within their own working environment where they can use the tools and equipment which will be needed to carry out their specific role it is far better than to try to simulate this in an external setting. The employee can be given specific job training and can be shown what to do and as they practice under the supervision of more experienced staff. Cons Firstly, it’s not enough that the person passing on their skills and knowledge is proficient in what they do. The often forgotten fact is that teaching, worker training or mentoring is a ‘skill’ in itself for which people need You can easily get a job in the media industry with just training as most companies don’t require you to have a qualification.

Conclusion I believe that the best way into the creative media industry for me personally would be work experience as I like to get started doing hands on in the action type of activities such as working and learning more on the job whilst getting paid at the same time. Whereas in things like university you have to continue to do desk work and also it cost a huge amount of money which is not helpful to loose for a 17/18 year old. Finally training courses would also be quite helpful for me as its really hands on but I will already be getting lots of training from my course so many other training courses would be just revisiting the things I’ve already learned.