We recently caught up with June about how she secured an internship with the BBC and her top tips for Bright Network members looking to follow in her footsteps.
What stood out to you about BBC Studios?
The BBC has been making steps towards amplifying previously marginalised voices in its content. I found that incredibly valuable, especially for an organisation that seeks to share the truth and provide a broad range of perspectives.
I also think that BBC programming has had a significant cultural impact over the years, reaching audiences from around the world. The prospect of working for a company with such a reach was really exciting to me.
In terms of the role, I liked that we had the opportunity to work on a real project which provided us with great exposure to the industry. I also knew this would challenge me and help develop my skills as a professional.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
I started by looking at the company website in order to get a better understanding of its structure and values. I then looked at the latest press to be up to date with what was happening and any recent developments that I needed to be aware of. I also went on the company’s social media platforms - there was some really interesting information that I didn’t get elsewhere. Because this was a role in content distribution, I watched a lot of documentaries and shows on BBC iPlayer which provided some discussion points for the interview.
I think the most useful thing I looked at was the annual report. This gave me an idea of overall company performance in the last year, any specific challenges as well as what it was looking to achieve in future.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
Definitely think about your motivations for applying and how you can get this across, whether you’re doing a cover letter or an interview. Talk about your passions and future aspirations and why the company (or more specifically the role) is a good step towards achieving those things. This is a good way of showing that you’re keen and determined to do good work within the company. It also shows that you see yourself working there and bringing value.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
Even before applying, Bright Network had some really useful resources on the website to help prepare for the application process and other general career advice. I also frequently attended their graduate career events where I was able to gain insight into what recruiters are looking for and build my professional network.
I’d signed up for Bright Network’s job updates via email which is how I found out about the role. Throughout each stage in the application process, Bright Network also provided useful tips on how to prepare for the next stage.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Make the most of Bright Network. There’s a lot of really useful information on the website and some brilliant events you can attend. They’re a really good way to prepare for applications and meet other students going through the same process.
- Use your time at university to discover your interests and aspirations by taking part in various extracurricular activities. It’s a good way to build your CV and will provide really unique experiences to draw from when answering interview questions. It also shows that you’re a well-rounded person outside of being a student.
- Network! Especially with other students. You’ll likely reconnect throughout various points in your career so it’s good to have as many people as you can turn to for help and advice.
Let us know where you've secured your work experience, internship or graduate role. We want to celebrate your success with a gift from us and exclusive invitations to evening networking drinks throughout the year.
