Researcher Review

I enjoyed my placement very much. I was asked to do a variety of different job from researching new stories, to transcribing video shoots and even attending shoots and recce's. However, sometimes I was left to do my own thing.

I was made to feel welcome at the BBC, but not so much that I truly felt part of the group. They know that you are only there for 3 weeks so they just slotted you in and out. Sometimes it was difficult to interact with them as they were a group of friends already and I didn't want to upset that balancce.

My supervisors provide me with a lot of support and guidance and they would always invite me out on shoots and give me opportunities to learn and develop new journalism skills.

I always kept myself busy. At the start of the week I was asked to research a particular story, and when I had done that I had to find my own ideas as I had not been given anything else to do. I would also be asked to attend shoots which were interesting although I was not able to perform many tasks as I was just there to observe and help when asked.

I went to the BBC as a researcher and didn't have much responsibility. My job just entailed researching and gathering information, speaking to contributors and arranging to meet my own contributors. However I was not tasked with anything too important such as shooting or interviewing.

As I am studying Broadcast Journalism at University, I developed a variety of skills that will help me to further my education. As I worked for a programme that produces 10 minute "mini" documentaries, I was able to develop new levels of research skills and the ability to pick out which stories can be done for ten minutes and how to find the right contributors and what questions to ask.

There were about 10 or so people working on this programme, although they were not always there. There was a very professional atmosphere, although they all chatted and laughed but always returned to doing their work.

They receive about 4 work experience placements every summer so they were definitely used to having students around. However they did not give you so much to do as they knew that you would be gone in 3 weeks. They worked with you so that you would slot into their arrangements and then be able to leave without there being much of a difference.

They would pay for my travel when I went on shoots and recce's and if I had paid for that travel then they would pay me back.

I would very much like to get a permanent job on the programme I worked at as they produce smaller documentary-like news programmes rather than 2-3 minute news pieces. I believe that if I had a longer position there I would feel more comfortable and be able to undertake more tasks.

There were no other placement students on my programme when I was there, but the other colleagues were always going out to lunch together and arranging to meet up at weekends.

I worked in Manchester but did not go out socialising.

I did not go out socialising but I know that the nightlife in Manchester is good.

As the programme was not on air when I was doing my placement, everyone was just undergoing research for the next series. However, whenever someone went out filming I was always offered a place on the team as a helper and researcher and I took up that opportunity whenever I could.