Earlier this year for my PDP module I did a SWOT analysis outlining my Strengths, Weaknesses, Oppurtunities and Threats. I thought this would be a good thing to keep for me to look back on and reflect on and see if I have progressed any further with professional development;
Strengths
My strengths for continuing my professional development are that I have had experience in the area of media I wish to develop a career in. For example I think my work experience placement at Mercia has enabled me to learn some of the skills needed for a career in radio, I have been able to get a real feel for the role of a radio producer and I think this may help me a lot. I am also a very confident and bubbly person which I think fits the criteria for a career in the media industry as well.
Reflection- This is still applicable but however now I am starting to think about maybe taking a different career path as I have started applying for jobs in the marketing and PR side of things. All in all though all the skills I have gained through both my work experience oppurtunities at BBC Coventry and Warwickshire and Mercia FM are included in my CV and shows I have developed experience in different areas of the media.
Weaknesses
I would say a weakness of mine would be the fact that I haven’t had enough work experience in different areas of the media for example, television. I feel that I could have maybe tried harder when it came to looking for different work experience placements, although I found a placement within a radio station I think it would have been more beneficial to me if I’d had found maybe two or three other work placements just for a few days a week or something, helping out television production or maybe a film production company. I feel that if I had done this it would have looked better on my C.V to show that I am versatile and have tried my hand at different things and been successful.
Reflection- Looking back at this weakness statement I still agree with what I have mentioned here however I can still apply for work experience placements to gain more skills and add to my CV. As a recent graduate I have started applying for jobs and also work experience oppurtunities so it is still a goal I have set myself.
Oppurtunities
A great opportunity that I have had whilst I have been at university is the chance to work with the BBC. Myself and a few others off my course were handpicked to help BBC Coventry and Warwickshire with their production of ‘Coventry Market the Musical’. The short musical was being made to celebrate Coventry Markets 50th Birthday and everyone featured in the film was from Coventry and basically was a celebration of the market I was honoured to be a part of it. My jobs included- ‘cable bashing’, helping to film certain parts of the film and just general runner duties.
Reflection- This was a great oppurtunity I had here in working with the BBC and it is something that looks impressive on my CV. Another great oppurtunity I had was being on the local news on a feature about a 6 year old agony aunt at mercia FM a local radio station I worked at for my professional placement.
Threats
One of my biggest threats I guess will be when it comes to getting a job after graduating and having to compete with so many other individuals for the one job that is available. The thought that I won’t have enough experience is a bit scary so I am working really hard at the moment to find as many work experience placements as I can while I’m still at university.
Reflection- This is still a major threat for me, as I am at the stage now where I am applying for jobs within the media. I have altered my CV in order to sell myself as best as I could so that future employers would consider me for the best candidate for the job.
