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Name: Eugenia Taylor
Age: 22
From: Cardiff
Apprentice Employer: ITV Cymru Wales
Apprentice Job Title: Creative and Digital Media Apprentice
What were you doing prior to the apprenticeship?
Prior to the apprenticeship, I was working as an online merchandiser at Escentual.com which is an online retailing site that sells beauty products. I’ve worked in retail since I was 16, up until the day I started to work for ITV.
Why did you want to do the apprenticeship?
I was searching for a new job because I decided I wanted to get out of retail and start a new career. I wanted to try something new and I have always been very interested in television, film and the media so the apprenticeship at ITV was exactly what I was looking for and the perfect challenge.
What did the apprentice job entail?
My apprentice job was very varied. From the beginning of the apprenticeship, I was thrown into learning some of Production Specialists roles such as PA-ing, Sound, Autocue, Studio Floor Managing and Studio Camera Operating for the Lunchtime and Six O’clock news bulletins. I was also tasked to create my own online videos, giving me a chance to learn how to edit using AVID and understand how to set up a camera for an interview. This also helped me to understand what kind of shots are needed to create a simple sequence.
What programmes/projects did you work on?
I had the opportunity of working within the programmes department and shadowing one of the producers while she made a three-part series called ‘Station 20’ which followed a Fire Station based in Barry. I set up the camera for some of interviews and also ensured that the person was within the frame throughout the interview.
Did you face any difficulties whilst doing your apprenticeship?
At times, trying to balance both a full-time job as well as the apprenticeship assignment work was difficult but completing homework as soon as possible or during any down time, helped me to stay on top of it.
What happened when you completed your apprenticeship?
When I completed my apprenticeship I was already over three months into my new role as a trainee researcher, working on one of ITV Wales new network commissions. I found it quite a culture shock and was given a lot of responsibility very quickly in comparison to the rest of my apprenticeship, where I was just shadowing and learning.
Have you changed/grown as a result of the apprenticeship?
It definitely helped me to grow and learn to adapt quickly. I was very glad the job transition happened during and just after my apprenticeship, as I was given constant support from the tutors at Sgil Cymru as well as support from my manager at ITV. She was always aware of the work load I had taken on and I had regular meetings with her and Nadine, my Sgil Cymru mentor.
What is the next career step for you?
I would love to develop my skills further and hopefully continue with camera training, as well as getting more journalistic experience as a researcher. I want to continue working within the programmes department at ITV and would love to become an Assistant Producer and one day and produce my own programme.
UPDATE SPRING 2022
Eugenia is currently working as an Assistant Producer for ITV Cymru Wales.
Where was your first placement with Sgil Cymru?
It was at ITV Cymru Wales and I did a Creative and Digital media apprenticeship.
When was the moment that things began to fall into place? That you knew you were in the right place?
I realised I was in the right place when going to work every day was fun but also a challenge. Everyone, including my manager, Nadine and Sue from Sgil Cymru, was so supportive and eager to help me every step of the way. I soon realised that I had a love for the programmes department as well as journalism and when my manager saw this passion, she allowed me to stay in the department for a large part of my apprenticeship. All the producers let me shadow them, go out on location with them and encouraged me to learn as much as possible.
What’s the biggest obstacle you think you’ve overcome either during or following on from your apprenticeship?
After my apprenticeship, I was lucky enough to get a job as a researcher/programme assistant working on regional and network programmes at ITV Wales. But my biggest obstacle was probably doing my journalism traineeship at ITV, a few years later. I did it during the pandemic and so a lot of my learning was online and at home. I’m quite a hands-on learner so not being able to go into the office was really difficult and the year of training itself was a big step up for me. I had to do an NCTJ exam as well as learn numerous different production journalist skills in order to finish the traineeship. But I think my apprenticeship prepared me for the challenge because we were always learning something new so it gave me the confidence to know I was capable. And of course, the support of everyone at ITV Wales was incredible so it spurred me on to make the best of the situation.
What’s the best piece of advice you were given as an apprentice?
The best piece of advice I was given was from Nadine and Sue which was to make the most out of the year. I really took that advice and ran with it, so every opportunity I had to learn something new I gave it my all. I also made an effort to make connections. If someone took the time to show me something, I would make sure I was respectful and kind and so if I ever needed help or wanted to ask a question in the future, I felt like I could go to that person again for their expertise. I think without the guidance of everyone at Sgil Cymru I would have been lost during my apprenticeship. But they also reminded us how important it was to keep up with your apprenticeship written work and tasks. So, I always made an effort to complete it as soon as possible to the best of my ability. That left me more time to do the job at ITV and I was able to focus on learning new skills because I wasn’t worried about my other work.
What advice would you give to someone starting out as an apprentice?
I would say don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and do things out of your comfort zone. If you have an extra hour in the day, could that hour be used to pitch a new idea, or help someone with a bigger workload? The year can fly by, but everyone wants to help you learn, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and show how passionate you are about the job.