BBC Blast Creative Trainee - Broadcast Assistant, Radio 1 Review

A chance to work in one of the UK's most exciting and renowned radio stations, meeting brilliant presenters, producers and staff.

I felt welcomed and part of the team. got some great feedback and made some great friends.

Initially as it was a new show they didn't plan things for me to do but I soon got stuck right in and felt at home. My executive producer was very friendly and always asked me how I was doing - as did the Blast coodinator and fellow Radio employees.

first couple of weeks were slow as I had to undergo training and wasnt sat down and given any set tasks or guidance on the rest of the placement - but it forced me to seek out opportunities and ask people if they needed help - thus enabling me to work across several areas and feel valued by all.

Once I've proved my worth and shown willing to do all task quickly and efficiently I was asked to sit in for Assistant producers and took on tasks beyond the Nick Grimshaw show including filming at Maida Vale, festival reporting and the creation of an hour long Music documentary which was aired a month after my placement.

Almost the opposite, I used the skills I learnt on my course to guide me in the workplace. My pre-existing editing skills and knowledge of the music and radio industries were challenged and strengthened. My confidence and ability to work quickly improved dramatically.

It could often be quiet during the day as most of the people worked in my office late at night. And were all on differing genre-specific specialist shows, therefore the radio often wasn't on until the evenings and people wore headphones to get on with editing. Everyone was friendly though and we occasionally had loud bursts of music followed by dance moves and laughter!

I took initiative to make the placement my own but it would have been much better if the team had planned an induction for me in the office, where I would have known what I was going to work on across the 2 months - in advance. BBC Blast who organised the scheme didn't provide specific transport or accommodation details until the last minute, but it all worked out really well in the end.

I taught myself and had some assistance from others but no real, lengthy training. It was very much a hands-on, learn as you go placement. It would have been better if I'd have been trained to use the equipment in more depth (tecnically producing a show, putting it out on air etc). But it's also down to using initiative and I regret not asking to be shown more.

I have done some freelance work with Radio 1 since and having the experience on my CV has really interested prospective employers. It's never easy with media, you need to know exactly where you want to go, so I am reassessing this and tailoring my CV accordingly. I feel proud to have Radio1 on the CV!

I was living with 15 other BBC trainees, who all worked across different areas (such as Newsround, BBC Blast events, Sportsround, Blast TV, Blast Online, Radio 1 and 1Xtra...BBC Three and more!) I got on really well with most of them and we went out between shifts/at weekends. It really helped us adjust to London life having similar aged and experienced students/graduates around us.

BBC Blast paid us expenses for travel and covered our accommodation so we just had to pay for food, other necessities and socialising! London is pricey so this helped a lot.

You need to know where is good to go. We ended up in some shockingly bad clubs, but it's all about getting recommendations from others. I managed to go to some great gigs with and outside of work and loved living near brick lane!

Yes Radio 1 DJs hosted band nights and club nights, we got press passes to London events, gigs and festivals. It was summer in London so there was lots going on and often for free! (Arts galleries, museums, exhibitions, free projects on the south bank).