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Foot In The Door
Catrin Nye - BBC Broadcast Journalist

by Roxanne Kennett

Every issue Nuts4chic interviews someone with their foot in the door and asks how they got there. This week we talk to BBC broadcast journalist Catrin Nye.

I did the three week placement at Radio Leeds as part of my course

The media is a notoriously difficult industry to break into with thousands of young hopefuls competing to get on the first rung of the career ladder. So how did BBC broadcast journalist Catrin Nye manage to go straight from University into her dream job at the UK’s largest broadcast media organisation? All wannabe journalists listen up as she lets me in on the secrets of her success.

nuts4chic: Catrin, how long have you worked for the BBC?

Catrin Nye: Since last November on a freelance basis and on contract since Jan 16. Although during Uni I worked for them for about a month freelance as well - that was for BBC Radio Leeds.

nuts4chic: What does your job involve?

Catrin Nye: The job involves a lot of different things - that's what makes it a lot of fun. I go out interviewing daily, produce packages - which are the longer, feature like stories you hear which involved multiple interviewees, sound effects and sometimes music. I also produce programmes which involves a lot of phone bashing - finding the best interviewees and the best way to speak to them - be it live on the programme or out on location. I've started reading bulletins which is fun, the pressure really gets your adrenaline going and I've stopped the stumbling - it's great what a bit of pressure can do. I'm also having voice training to make the best of my on-air voice. There's a good social side to the job too. You make close friends quickly in such an intense job and it's important to wind down, so we do manage to escape the Newsroom every now and again for a drink or two!

nuts4chic: So how did you land the month at Radio Leeds?

Catrin Nye: I did the three week placement at Radio Leeds as part of my course. I worked really hard at it - staying until 11 o'clock some nights working on packages! They gave me a lot of chances and had a lot of faith in me and were generally a great bunch of people. Then in the summer following the placement I approached them for work and got freelance shifts working in programmes.

nuts4chic: Do you think your work placement helped you to where you are now?

Catrin Nye: Definitely. It really helped when I was searching for work after Uni. I know that the editor here at Derby gave a call to Leeds before taking me on for any shifts, to make sure I could do the job!

nuts4chic: And those shifts have now led to a contract?

Catrin Nye: Yes. I've got a contract here that expires mid April. There are a lot of us in the newsroom competing for the next round of jobs and I have to have my first BBC board(interview). I'm currently swotting for it as I need to know the job inside out and then really pull it out of the bag on the day!

nuts4chic: So is it safe to say the media’s reputation for being a tough industry to make it in is true?

Catrin Nye: It is true and more and more people want to get into it which makes it even harder! All I can say is that you have to stand out to make it. To get into journalism you really have to put in the effort and make yourself different from the million other people trying to get in the door.

nuts4chic: Well you’re obviously well on your way now. Any tips for wannabe news hounds?

Catrin Nye: You can't be afraid of hard work right from the off because if you make a bad impression in one job it won't take long for news to spread. I think personality is a big factor as well - when it comes to the communication industry you do have to be likeable. It's quite an intense environment and you develop close relationships very quickly so it follows that if you get on peoples nerves you won't last a minute. When it comes to work experience there's a very fine line between being keen and being irritating. Take a step back at first, listen before you speak, and learn before you presume to know. Bring story ideas as soon as possible and don't be afraid to suggest them. Don't worry that your idea will be rejected - the very worst they can say is no thanks and then you just have to come up with something else. Contacts are vital - if you don't know anyone where you're going to work find people and speak to them. You need to know your audience, their likes and dislikes and what's important to them, to be able to produce a great story.

nuts4chic: So what's next for you? Apart from world domination of course.

Catrin Nye: Lots more hard work! I'm just at the beginning of what I hope will be a long career in journalism. Every day I learn tough lessons and new things on this job - it's a really steep learning curve. I want to get to know the BBC, the job and the area better and better and hopefully secure a longer contract here at BBC Radio Derby. This is a great place to work and I want to make sure I make the grade and stay.

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