Emily Burrett

My name is Emily Burrett, I am 23 years old. I studied Media Television and Film production Level 3 Diploma, and Film and Television production BA (Hons) at South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) and University Centre South Essex (UCSE) from 2017 to 2023 and this is my story.

I had no background in media before I came to the college. I had some experience in working backstage but I used to film and edit YouTube videos in school which I think pushed me into wanting to study Film and Television production.

In both college and university I wanted to receive the highest marks possible, which I worked quite hard for. In college I got a distinction* distinction* distinction* and in university I got a First.

I viewed a few colleges and universities before I decided on Southend, after seeing their equipment and tutors I decided that was the right one for me. I also have a sibling who studied fashion at the college, and her experience there was really good.

My time at college and university allowed me to understand the industry a bit more. In college I got to understand industry standards and how different filming and editing styles worked. This then carried over in to university where I took these skilled I learned in college and developed them even more.

I think also having access to tutors who have worked in the industry or still were during my time was also really helpful as they shared their knowledge into different things.

Confidence really helps working in media. The confidence I gained really helps me pitch ideas to other producers and even presenters and celebrity guests that we get in.

I was quite quiet before I started college and wasn’t super outgoing either however, when I joined Southend, I met a great group of people and it gave me the confidence to speak more in classes, work with different people and even share my ideas more.

During my time at college and university we also got to use industry standard software as well which proves really useful as it gave me more knowledge when going into my job and it looks great on a creative CV that you know how to use them!

My favourite memory has to be getting to work on little films and music videos with my friends and class. I got to meet a lot of like-minded people who enjoyed Film and TV just like me.

Since leaving college and university I have worked with an international media and radio brand along with enhancing my skills in film and photography. I now work for Bauer Media which is a multi-media company which specialises in Radio and Podcasting. I mainly work for Magic Radio as a Social Media Producer, but I also work for other brands under Bauer including Hits radio, Absolute radio and Kiss radio.

My job entails a lot, firstly I write articles for the Bauer, these mainly consist of news relating to music or the West End. I also create graphics for social media platforms to help promote our radio station and what we have going on at the moment.

Along with articles I also help produce Magic Radio social media content. This includes writing scripts for shoots, directing shoots, filming shoots, editing shoots, taking pictures of guests in the studios, cover red carpets, work with other brands such as Disney or Universal, creating social formats, location scouting and much more.

Before I got this job I was actually working in a bakery whilst I was at college and on the side I was still filming, editing and photoshopping outside of University and work just to build together more of a skill set for my CV. I then applied to a wide range of different media jobs either being a runner on sets or helping make content for small businesses to no avail. I then applied to Magic to work as a social media assistant and have progressed from there up to a producer role!

I would recommend SECG and UCSE especially to those who are looking to get into a similar field that I’m in currently.

My greatest achievement so far is probably getting this job! It’s allowed me to do so much of what I dreamed of in college and university. I’ve met so many amazing people and got to go/do so many amazing things. I’ve been able to attend prestigious award ceremonies, direct my own shoots, meet celebrities I would of only dreamed of meeting!

In the future I would like to progress in my role and work higher up in my company, I would also like to work for different well-known brands and companies such as the BBC, Universal, Disney etc.