Giving you an insight of what it's like to work in News at the BBC...click in this post to watch!! :)
To be free - from a
full time contract. It's been 3 weeks since becoming a freelancer, yet I
haven't yet felt the "completely free" feeling yet. I'm thankful for
to be spending most of my days at BBC Africa, and the other days at Radio 2.
When I was a trainee
with Radio 2, I met and worked with loads of freelancers, all of who are so
lovely! It was enlightening and almost frightening hearing about their
experiences and the struggles of freelancing, all over the Beeb:
- The anxiety of trying to bag as many shifts as possible
- Having to sacrifice going out for dinner with friends
to save money
- Having to drop sudden plans as a shift has opened up at
work
- Working insanely crazy and unusual hours with little
notice, but still thinking of the bigger picture as it'll pay the bills.
The list goes on.
Again, everyone's journey is different, but there are similarities within the
experiences freelancers face.
I'm trying to do this
thing where I'm thinking more of the outcome, rather than the income. The
experience I'm gaining, and roles that I've been given working with BBC Africa,
have been invaluable! It's hard work, it can be stressful, but it's worth it.
"Freelancers are
like dancers going to auditions each week and impatiently waiting for their big
break"
"Freelancers are
like jugglers; whilst earning a small living, they're working on other projects
and things that they're passionate about - so they're always busy"
"The term
freelancer doesn't really phase me. I'm doing my thing, I'm happy, I'm good at
what I do. Full stop."
If this post is
relatable, what kind of freelancer are you? I definitely associate myself with
the "juggler" kind of freelancer. I'm happy to be doing several
things I love at once - although working at the Beeb takes up most of my time,
and I'm so pleased with the progression of my mag ic3mag. We have such exciting
things happening and coming up!
And of course my
mentoring scheme Pursue Your Passion. Currently in the process of preparing for
our workshop tomorrow for aspiring bankers, lawyers, consultants,
solicitors, and city workers! The preparation for this has been insane, but oh
so worth it.
So that's me, the
life of a current freelancer. It's a beautiful struggle, and I'm counting my
blessings, not my burdens.
They're actually normal.
You'll randomly bump into them in the toilets. A lot.
They have so. much. tea.
Their work ethic is unreal.
Their production team are like oxygen to them.
They swear a lot.
The more they see and work with you, the more they're (too) open with you.
They don't know how much anything is e.g. they'd give you a £20 note to buy a pack of chewing gum.
They tell you to keep the change (but don't, out of courtesy)
They know your face, won't remember your name.
Behaving starstruck around them is like slow dancing to techno music - makes no sense.
They'll ask for your opinion on the most random things.
You will never, ever see them dressed up in the work environment.
You'll hardly recognise them glammed up at all the awards and events you go to.
They'll call you the most interesting nicknames; "poppet" "baby" "angel"
You will never be able to tell if they feel awkward or not.
They're always on time.
You'll randomly bump into them in the toilets. A lot.
They have so. much. tea.
Their work ethic is unreal.
Their production team are like oxygen to them.
They swear a lot.
The more they see and work with you, the more they're (too) open with you.
They don't know how much anything is e.g. they'd give you a £20 note to buy a pack of chewing gum.
They tell you to keep the change (but don't, out of courtesy)
They know your face, won't remember your name.
Behaving starstruck around them is like slow dancing to techno music - makes no sense.
They'll ask for your opinion on the most random things.
You will never, ever see them dressed up in the work environment.
You'll hardly recognise them glammed up at all the awards and events you go to.
They'll call you the most interesting nicknames; "poppet" "baby" "angel"
You will never be able to tell if they feel awkward or not.
They're always on time.
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG WHERE WE HAVE REGULAR UPDATES OF ALL OF OUR SHOWS:
So, as I mentioned in an earlier blog post a few months ago, I began presenting on a local community radio station at East London radio, which I'm growing to genuinely really enjoy. We speak about a range of different topics. I like to occasionally listen over to our shows ensuring that my quality of presenting is getting better and improving.
I think what I should definitely start practising more is preparing more for my chosen topic on the show, which I can confidently speak about, but to ensure that I can distribute this topic into an open discussion and therefore a talk show.
Practice makes perfect! Enjoy listening and don't hesitate to pop any feedback in the comments below. :)
A couple of the podcasts here, I'll post more here as I go along >>>
Speaking about outrageous television programmes, Sandra Bland, and more!
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-25-july-2015/
We spoke about getting a level results, is money always on our minds?, do's and don'ts of wedding proposals, my experience of hosting a wedding, and more!
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-15-august-2015/
We spoke about what 'relationship ghosting' is, #IStandWithAhmed, Labour's new leader Jeremy Corbyn, and the 'Why the F You Lying' vine
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-19-september-2015/
We spoke about how secure our details are, racial and sexual profiling at dstrkt club, how would you help a refugee? and crazy rent prices in London!
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-03-october-2015/
My fave so far! Well balanced and informative topics; from consumerism, etiquette, tampon tax, and Sir David Attenborough's voiceover of Adele's Hello!
https://www.mixcloud.com/widget/iframe/?feed=%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2FEastLondonRadio%2Ftalk-7-november-2015%2F&hide_cover=1&hide_tracklist=1
