User:Joughtib/sandbox

What is the Bauer Academy? The Bauer Academy was set up by Bauer Media. They own over 50 radio stations across the UK, and are looking to bring in people with a passion for radio into the group, rather than take presenters from other stations. They are able to nurture talent, with commercial work experience and training with industry professionals, both at the radio stations and also on a one-to-one basis. Why did you go onto the course?

Since starting out in Community Radio, I have picked up the basics from other volunteers, and from reading the manuals for the various software packages that are used within radio stations. The opportunity to get commercial radio experience from one of the largest radio groups in the UK for free, was an opportunity not to be missed. So far, I've completed courses for Introduction to Commercial Radio, Step Inside and Present, and Today's News for Radio and I will also be taking part in an advanced presenting course at Viking FM in November and December. What made you want to go into Radio?

Radio has always been something that has been in my life. From listening to radio in my bedroom as a child, to having it on in the car going to and from work, I felt a connection with the presenter. As I'm never short of a word, it has always been something that I wanted to do, but I felt that it was always something out of reach, until an opportunity arose to join a community radio station in 2013. From my initial show, being thrown in at the deep end, covering a show over Christmas, my range of shows increased, covering Breakfast, Drivetime, Club Classics, and Late Night. What has been the highlight so far?

There has been so many highlights, meeting various radio personalities and celebrities, getting practical experience in radio stations across the country, but the main highlight is to speak to or meet a listener, and they have enjoyed a show, or feel a connection with a particular song or a story that I have told. The listeners are, by far, the most important element of a radio station, and to make a difference in their life, makes the job worthwhile. Whats next?

I'm returning to University to continue my degree in Journalism and Digital Media, of which the time at the Bauer Academy is part of my wide range of work experience. I'm always on the lookout for more training that is available, so that once I graduate in 2017, I can move onto a job within the industry, or continue my education by completing a Masters degree in Broadcast Media.

Who are your radio icons?

Growing up, I've been inspired by lots of different presenters over the years, but certainly within the last 15 years, Stephanie Hirst has been one of my radio heroes. A true radio anorak, having immersed herself in the industry from a very young age, and is always willing to give help and advice to those of us within the industry who are wanting to follow in her footsteps. Whats your favourite thing about Radio presenting? One of the things that really inspires me when presenting, is that you can connect to a listener on a very personal level. By talking to them, and not down to them, introducing songs and chatting to them, you feel a true connection. I've had letters from listeners that have said that I am the only voice that they have heard in a day, and that makes the time behind the microphone all the more worthwhile. Radio is something that can be consumed whilst doing other things be that driving the car, doing the housework, or on the bus, it can be with you wherever you are, and the choice of music is ever expanding.

Approaching the start of the second year of my degree, I have to confess that I'm like a greyhound at the starting gate. The summer has flown by, and I've not really stopped for a break. Having handed in my work for the first year over a week early, gave me an extra week to do what I needed to. During the first two weeks, it was evident that I needed to find somewhere to live, and also to find a job to get me through the summer. During the first month, I did just that. So by the time the 13th of June arrived, I had a new job, and a place to live in Hull. I've been very fortunate to find an employer who has accommodated my requests for attending courses that are relevant to my degree, providing I'm willing to give a bit of overtime back to the calling floor. The old adage of "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" certainly applies here. By going through training, and keeping myself busy through the summer, it has kept my focus and work ethic strong through the "down time" of 18 weeks away from University, and has allowed me to get into a better routine of actually going to bed and waking up at a sensible time. So I approach my second year at University with a harder attitude to life, and an increased work ethic, which means that I will be more focused on getting the work done with plenty of time to review my work before handing it in for marking. During the semesters, I will be continuing to balance work and study, so that I have enough money to live, and also allow time to get everything done for my degree, with the weekdays free to make the most of any opportunities that arise throughout the next few months. I'm very much of the opinion that an opportunity missed, is an opportunity wasted, so I will be making sure to network and maximise work experiences and the chance to learn in a variety of ways.

The Bauer Academy is run by the company who own various radio stations across the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Local radio stations in the group include Radio Aire in Leeds, Viking FM in Hull, and Key 103 in Manchester, and they also own several national brands as well including Kiss and Ab The idea behind the Bauer Academy is to bring forward new talent, in a way that the company can give something back to the industry that they are a major player within, and by giving the students "hands on" experience from within a commercial setting, they can bring forward new blood into their radio stations or into the wider media sector. I first noticed the Bauer Academy courses earlier in the year, but with the other stuff going on, I didn't feel able to commit to the sessions offered. Thankfully for me, the courses continue to run throughout 2015. Initially, I committed to 3 courses at various stations across the North of England. "Step Inside and Present" at Radio Aire in Leeds, "Introduction to Commercial Radio" at Key 103 in Manchester, and "Advanced Presenting" at Viking FM in Hull. However since my initial foray into the Bauer Academy, I have signed up to a further course which looks at News Journalism called "News in Today's World". There are so many good points to the courses, that I sound like a sales agent for the Academy. Not only do you get training from experienced professionals within the industry, but you get to use the systems used in a commercial radio setting. You're also with other talented people who are looking to break into the industry from a variety of backgrounds and ages, and you learn from them as well, because we have all had different introductions to the industry, be that hospital or community radio, or during their time at college and/or university. Step Inside and Present is a 6 week course, designed to give an overview of the first steps of presenting a show in a commercial radio station. Led by Ant Arthur, who is both a Regional Producer for Bauer Media, and also a presenter on Viking FM, the style of training is both serious, but light hearted in the same manner, which allows for great interaction between the students and the course leader, both in the sessions and away from the classroom as well. Introduction to Commercial Radio is a course over 2 days, which gives students an opportunity to record their own jingles, and develop ideas for a new radio station. The course content gives an overview to the different strands that go into developing a commercial radio station from Sales and Marketing, Show Content, Advertising, and Demographics. My course was led by Alex James, the breakfast presenter currently at Radio Aire, and cover presenter for other shows across the Bauer Radio Network.