Emily Burrett

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

Before coming to college, I did not have a formal background in media. I had some experience working backstage and enjoyed creating and editing YouTube videos at school, which sparked my interest in film and television. That early experience gave me the motivation to take things further and pursue it as a career.

When choosing where to study, I visited a number of colleges and universities, but Southend stood out to me. The facilities, equipment and tutors made a strong impression, and hearing about my sibling’s positive experience at the college gave me further confidence that it was the right place for me.

During both college and university, I was determined to achieve the highest grades possible. With hard work and focus, I achieved triple distinction star at college and a First Class degree at university. More importantly, I developed a strong understanding of the industry, from learning different filming and editing techniques to understanding professional standards and expectations.

Having tutors with real industry experience made a huge difference. Their insights helped me understand how the industry works and gave me the chance to learn from people who had been in the roles I was working towards.

One of the biggest changes for me was growing in confidence. When I first started, I was quite quiet and found it difficult to speak up. Over time, being part of a supportive and creative environment helped me become more confident in sharing ideas, working with others and speaking in front of groups. This confidence is something I now use every day in my career.

Access to industry-standard software and equipment also played an important role in my development. Learning how to use these tools during my studies meant I felt more prepared when entering the workplace, and it helped strengthen my CV.

Some of my favourite memories are from working on short films and music videos with my classmates. Being surrounded by like-minded people who shared the same passion made the experience really enjoyable and helped me build lasting friendships.

After completing my studies, I continued developing my skills and gained experience working with an international media and radio brand. I now work at Bauer Media as a Social Media Producer, primarily for Magic Radio, while also contributing to other brands including Hits Radio, Absolute Radio and Kiss.

My role is varied and creative. I write articles, often covering music and West End news, and create content for social media platforms to promote the station. I am also involved in producing content, which includes writing scripts, directing and filming shoots, editing, photographing guests, covering red carpet events, working with major brands and developing new content ideas.

Before securing my role, I balanced working in a bakery alongside my studies, while continuing to build my skills in my own time. I applied for a range of media roles, including runner positions and content creation work, before securing a position at Magic Radio as a Social Media Assistant. From there, I progressed into my current role as a Producer.

One of my proudest achievements is securing this role and being able to do work I once dreamed about. I have had the opportunity to attend major events, direct my own shoots and meet people I would never have imagined working with.

Looking ahead, I would like to continue progressing in my career, take on more responsibility and explore opportunities with major organisations such as the BBC, Universal and Disney.