.@BBC producer gives an insight into the industry

James Castle, content producer at BBC Radio 5 Live, visited Clarendon Sixth Form College earlier in the week to talk to media students about his career and how he started in the radio industry.

The aim of the visit was to give students an insight into the work James does for the BBC and to help them explore the options available to them within the media industry.

James takes quotes from guests on the breakfast show, interviews, videos from sports events and other trending news and edits them to use across the station’s network of social media channels and website alongside sending them to other BBC departments for publishing.

James talked about his career progression, from studying a postgraduate degree at Salford University in broadcast journalism, to working as a journalist and then content producer. He said: “I studied journalism for quite a while and then pretty much straight after leaving university, the BBC recruited me through a graduate programme designed to find young talent. I was so surprised because I thought I would have to wait years to find a great role.”

He also talked about how his work has become more and more focused on social media and digital channels in recent years and offered advice to students: “About 18 months ago the BBC started to really push for all content to be in video format, so one of the challenges for me these days is to produce video quickly and to tight deadlines so that it’s still relevant and fresh. Don’t worry if you try and fail, that’s part of the industry and life in general. You will get there eventually, but you need to be someone who is good at lots of different things and can adapt quickly to a changing environment.”

BBC radio 5 Live is one of the UKs largest national radio stations, which specialises in live news, phone-ins with listeners, interviews and sports commentary.

To find out more about creative studies courses at Clarendon Sixth Form College call 0161 908 6800.