Application for Professional Industry based Work Experience.

Recently I have begun to study the Media and Communication (Television) - BA (Hons) at Birmingham
City University School of Media (Full Time for 3 years).
I admire the work done by local television and radio organisations and I am very keen to get involved
within the industry.
I have lots of hands on experience with radio / recording studios and at university I have full access to
studios where I like to practise my abilities with the software; Recently, I completed a series of prerecorded radio shows. I am particularly partial to the technical side of radio. I love operating the mixing
desk and I am very interested in the different types of software used by radio stations.
Previously, I worked alongside a studio operator for 2 weeks in a recording studio at Oakgrove School
in MK (where I was previously a student). This allowed me to gain experience working with musicians
by recording their performances. I recorded a reading from the Diary of Anne Frank for a School
assembly on WW2. I recorded myself performing and then edited it. I also tried my hand at recording
a radio show where a friend and I had an acoustic session accompanied by some light chat. I have
experience operating a mixing desk for live performances in events and leavers assemblies at
School.
My volunteering experiences, range from an outreach programme in Lovat Fields MK, joining together
the elderly and young people of Milton Keynes. I was also part of a Peer mentoring programme at
Oakgrove School, giving peer support and academic assistance. I supported Willen Hospice fund
raising which included working in their shop in Newport Pagnell.
I am at home in a recording studio and feel I would be a valuable new member, and would love to join
the MKFM team.
I need to fulfil work placement experience on the following dates: 11th 22nd January 2016 and 23rd
May 3rd June 2016.
My CV is available on this Blog.
I can be contacted via my Facebook Profile AJ B Nixon. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
id=100010175199017&fref=ts
Hope to hear from you soon,
AJ Nixon
Skills Audit.

Identifying key transferable skills.

Voluntary Work Experience charity Shop.
For Willen Hospice, Willen, MK, in the charity shop in Newport Pagnell - My duties included customer
service, cleaning and restocking.
Voluntary Experience - with the elderly.
As a member of the Lovat Fields Retirement Village, MK - Elderly Community awareness programme,
we worked to bridge the social gap between the youth and the elderly of Milton Keynes. While
developing my communication skills and working within a team, I helped organise activities and
events with the aim to befriend and provide care for the retired residence.
Voluntary Experience - with the Young.
As a member of the Oakgrove School, MK - peer mentor team, we were each assigned students
which were assessed by the school as requiring additional help. As their more mature peer mentor we
provided empathetic and dedicated advice, counselling, and tutoring. We provided a programme of
homework help, allowing time for the student to confide, share worries, and reflect on their week.
Voluntary Experience - with Peers.
I joined the MK Dons to complete the National Citizen Service Government Award.
On the residential scheme we did extreme sports and team building exercises, to build personal
transferable skills. Such as confidence, self-awareness, leadership, teamwork and responsibility,
whilst networking with local peers from different backgrounds. Our group organised and ran a Milton
Keynes community awareness outreach day.
Extra-curricular Hobbies
During my time at Willen Primary and Oakgrove School, I remained active in many extracurricular
activities. This includes being a part of; the Drama club, the Music club, the Football Club as goalie,
entering badminton and rugby competitions with the school teams, Martial Arts and other sports, as
well as performing at many live music events. I was also the lead singer in the band Onions Have
Layers, I am self-taught in playing guitar and ukulele and dabble in playing the keyboard. Also, I will
shortly begin teaching myself the violin. Another of my passed times is that I enjoy composing and
writing my own music.
Identifying key media skills.
Work experience - Media and Communications Assistant.
I worked for two weeks at Oakgrove School alongside the music and drama technician which allowed
me to gain much hands on experience in all areas of audio and visual production. I completed work as
a recording studio technician, engineer and producer; live events sound technician, and video
production editor. I provided support in out of hours events, evening performances and further end of
term celebratory concerts.
Industry related work experience
Chris Yates Professional Journalist Photographer is currently providing me with personal mentoring
and work experience opportunities. I am to assist him in covering the Clothes show live 2015 at NEC
Birmingham.
Media and Communication Degree Birmingham City University School of Media.
I have joined the Birmingham City University "Scratch" TV and radio production workshops. I intend to
join workshops for photography to gain wider experience. I am currently an assistant producer for
Scratch Radio and intend to become more heavily involved with Scratch TV in the New Year.

Reflecting on key skills.

My employment and personal experiences span a wide range: from working in a demanding, high
pressure retail industry environment; to working with the elderly in their homes; and helping younger
students requiring personal tutoring and mentoring in school; as well as working to create community
events. These experiences along with my academic career have developed skills and experience that
are all transferable skill. By showcasing these positive experiences and personal attributes I can begin
build an online presence, I have begun to actively seek professional Industry related experience and
portfolio material suitable for developing the online presence.
Online Profile
This Blog is acting to showcase my professionalism and reflect my experience, skills and abilities,
particularly those that are likely to be relevant and useful for the career I am seeking. My personal
Blog allows me to present a combining visual and audio portfolio that reflects a considered point of
view and critical reflection. It will track my personal development and showcase the development of a
portfolio produced during my work experience and three years at Birmingham City University.

The next three years at University is going to afford me the opportunity be creative without many of
the normal constraints, some of the work will hopefully be suitable for my portfolio and showcasing.
I will continue to upload more examples of practical media work and academic work, over the next
three years of study BCU.
Creating additional material.
I have joined the Birmingham University "Scratch" TV and Radio production workshops and intend to
join workshops for photography for a wider experience.
A local Professional journalist photographer has taken me under his wing and is mentoring me and
guiding my professional development. In December 2015 I will be assisting the coverage of the
Clothes show Live Birmingham. Currently I am using my social media to discuss possible work
experience with a local radio company.
I have become more active with my camera and camcorder, recently I attended a flash mob dance
presentation and videoed the event, and added it to my social media sites.
Learning from others.
I have considered how others in my media sector have displayed their work, by joining various twitter
feeds such as: MKFM (local radio station), the director Guillermo Del Toro, and BBC Three. I have
learnt that others use twitter to draw attention to their work and generate awareness and interest.
They advertise up and coming work, and provide information and insight. Often Guillermo Del Toro
enjoys sparking discussion and criticism of others less known in the industry. I have become more
critical of my social media presence and am attempting to create a more professional Industry related
presence. I have begun to study web sites and social media presence with a considered and critical
eye, I will continue to do this, and have been particularly studying industry related sites.
I am looking for my online presence to generate potential interest from future mentors and employers.
Personal and Professional Development
Recently I have begun to study the Media and Communication (Television) - BA (Hons) at Birmingham
City University School of Media -Campus: City Centre. (Full Time for 3 years).
I will upload more examples of practical media work and academic work, over the next three years of
study BCU.
My individual goals
Why have I chosen to study this particular course? I attended a trip to BCU and after reading the
prospectus, I felt that the course offered a syllabus most suited to my chosen career path, and
complimented my recently completed BTEC Music Technology (grade achieved Distinction *).

The Course syllabus inspired me; I am passionate about the craft of Television production and excited
at the prospect of working and learning about the industry these coming years and developing my
present personal skills and challenging my current level of knowledge.
The media plays an important role in highlighting and tackling difficult, serious and uncomfortable
subjects, providing a platform and a voice for those without power or influence. I want to be part of the
process behind making television programmes that have a real impact on the viewer. Whether that is
through changing their perception of a serious issue or through sheer enjoyment of the programme.
After recently researching the media industry, and discussing with fellow students the wide range of
roles, I currently feel a career in the role of creative director might best suit me.
Overall, I shall ensure to make the most of my own time and be proactive, contributing to workshops
and lectures, using my time in Birmingham to network and endeavour to gain relevant industry
experience.
Current Knowledge.
I recently I completed a BTEC in Music Technology, the course has given me a practical working
knowledge of the creative process; turning an idea or concept into a real end product. I have learned
how a recording studio works; the technical process behind working the devices to create the sound,
the mood and rhythm and then the editing process of creating a polished music track. I am
comfortable with the language and terminology used in this process. The experience has fuelled my
creativity encouraging me to apply different techniques to my compositions to create a layered sound.
Using advanced computer software to create this new sound has opened my mind to the creative
options for manipulating sounds to reflect the mood, rhythm and tone I want to resonate through my
music.
My A level subjects have stimulated my interest in the media further. In particular, I have explored
how the media can be used to express a view or idea in a way that is powerful and effective, draws
the required reaction from the viewer and therefore maximises the impact of the message.
Studying Psychology has challenged me to consider the impact that the media can have on behaviour
and points of view down to the most individual level.
Studying Sociology challenged me to ask whether working in and with the media carries a degree of
responsibility. Those with greater control of media outlets, owners of newspapers, radio and TV
stations are well placed to find a platform for their views. It is important therefore that balance in
reporting and access to media is preserved in our society to promote fairness, and issues that may be
uncomfortable to those in power: e.g. equality in the workplace.
Current Skills.
My studies have helped me to reflect on the importance of Historical understanding understanding
the story behind the development of a subject through to its current state, and also about using
appropriate language to convey an idea in a way that ensures your approach is clearly understood,
while ensuring that your words are not misinterpreted in a way that could offend those around you.
Context it is important that the approach to the subject is relevant, and is sensitive to its impact on
the wider social, political and economic environment.
Critical analysis I use this to ensure that my work conveys what you want it to and to make sure that
this stance or the way it has been put forward is sensitive to others who may come across it.
Attendance.
My A Level studies have provided an essential foundation for studying at degree level. For personal
development of relevant transferable skills, in addition to my A levels this year: I completed an
Extended Project Qualification, by producing a dissertation researching and critically analysing the
theories around the method and motivation of the criminal mind and the influence from genetics and
environment. For the extended Project, weekly meetings to discuss progress were an integral element

of the process. I understand the importance of attendance, interaction with fellow students, and
contribution to the development of my and the other students on the course.
Relationships.
As a part of my sixth form school peer mentor scheme, I gave counsel and tuition to fellow students in
crisis. With a small group of fellow students we formed a community outreach programme to connect
the elderly and the young of Milton Keynes. I volunteered to help run a local charity shop. I gained a
certificate of graduation from the NCS scheme for which I completed a prescribed course of extreme
sports, team building exercises and outdoor activities, and finally a community project challenge. On a
personal note, I formed a rock band and as lead vocalist performed at a number of live venues. At a
variety of charity events I helped to raise funds for local charities, by face painting, henna art and
baking.
The nature of human interaction fascinates me, I enjoy reading, and my favourite book so far is
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly. I love the pathetic fallacy entwined within the narrative. The way the
surroundings and scenery reflect the internal conflicts and emotions of the characters is beautifully
detailed and enables the reader to understand the depth of these personalities.
I enjoy learning about the rules and parameters within which our society functions, the Zeitgeist, the
moral compass as documented by the media, but also how the media can help shape and influence
these ideas within society.
To conclude, my experiences so far have strengthened my resolve to study further, and I wish to
further broaden my horizons, in the challenging world of a University.
Results.
I want to play my part in the future development of Television to ensure that it remains, relevant,
exciting and interesting, but also carries a message. It retains an important role in society to ensure
that those in power and authority are challenged and held to account, and the difficult, uncomfortable
and important stories are heard. I want to help influence and shape the way we get our information
from the media, and more specifically from television, and possibly play a part in altering the
fundamental foundations of our society.
Personal challenges for this year.
I hope to strengthen my written academic abilities, my ability to express myself in written form is
currently my key area for development, over the course this year the many written assessments will
challenge and improve my written skills.
I have had the opportunity to work with recording studios, and live event set up, both performing and
production, but the experiences I have had so far are limited. I hope that the course will provide plenty
more opportunities. Specifically to work on the production side of radio.
To date I have no experience of television production and this is going to be the area I will find new
and therefore potentially more challenging. As I have ambitions to enter the industry of television
production
I will make the most of the opportunities the university experience offers me. I can sometime become
shy and find social situations intimidating, the workshops and group work will help me to grow more
confident. Additionally I have joined the Birmingham University "scratch" TV and radio production
workshops, and intend to join workshops for photography to gain wider experience.
I intend to join a local radio station for work experience, I will get involved with their online social
media presence, and intend to produce short documentary films for their PR sites, and short radio
segments for their radio shows. I can produce photography and cover local events for them, to be
posted on their sites. I will link this work to my personal sites to advertise my activities.

Employer Testimonial
After completing their work experience, we would be grateful for any constructive comments on the
performance and aptitude of this student placement. Please complete and return this form to the
student for inclusion with their Professional Media Practice Portfolio.
If you have any queries about student placements, contact e-mail JobBook@bcu.ac.uk and Vanessa
Jackson (Course Director) email Vanessa.Jackson@bcu.ac.uk or Tel: (0121) 331 6765
Student name:
Placement company:
Date of placement:
Supervisor and title:
Company Address:
City:
Telephone number:
1. What role did you offer the student in this placement?(E.G. Graphic Designer, Visual designer for
website design, Social Media consultant).
2. Did the student achieve the outcomes you needed?
Please highlight your preference. a.Not at all b.Some c.Mostly d.Yes e.Exceeded expectations.
3. Please offer comments on your students performance. This is critical information for the University
to improve any future work experience for you and BCU students.
Comments:

4. Would you be open to discuss further student/graduate placements and internships? Yes/No
5. Do you see placements as a useful recruitment tool for your business? Yes/No
6. Would you allow your feedback to be used for marketing purposes? Yes/No
7. Have you worked with Birmingham City University student/graduate schemes before? Yes/No
If yes, please provide a brief description:
8. Can we contact you to discuss the possibilities of working further with your business? Yes/No
Please sign in the box below and print your name underneath along with the date
Print Name:

Date:

Reference from Mr Tim MacDonald