Katie Bevan represented Podium.me at the launch of the Young Arias
Read what happened next…
How has Podium helped you in your career so far?
Podium has really helped me to transition from student/hospital radio to projects on a national level, which are helping me to kickstart my professional career for after university. I was given the opportunity to help launch the Young ARIAs (a new awards scheme for young people in radio) at Radiocentre’s ’Tuning In’ conference on behalf of Podium. It was an incredible experience and a great chance for networking with industry professionals too. It allowed me to practice my presenting and interviewing skills on-stage, to chat with individuals that I aspire to be like, and to be a part of launching a really exciting project all at once. This helped me to secure future projects working with the BBC and ITN, all whilst receiving ongoing support and encouragement from Camilla and the team at Podium! I have been given opportunities that I don’t think I would have found otherwise and have had so much fun.
What qualities do you need to make the most of opportunities that come your way?
You most definitely need to have self-belief and confidence, which are two qualities that I am constantly working on. I truly think that it makes a world of difference in this industry; other people are more likely to believe in you if you do, so be your own biggest supporter!
I also think that it is key to be open-minded and flexible, because you never know what one opportunity could lead to in the future. I always try to say ‘yes’ to everything, even if it’s out of my comfort zone or area of expertise. For example, I agreed to work on a piece about classical music when I know next to nothing about the genre, and ended up doing a vlog which ended up on the BBC Proms website!
It seems obvious, but it also goes a long way to be friendly and talkative with those around you. This is the best way to learn about the industry, to find out where you could develop your skills (never be afraid to ask for feedback on things!) and to make a good impression. You’ll also find yourself enjoying everything that little bit more if you create this welcoming environment – even on the days when you might be making cups of tea!