MED6176 – PROFESSIONAL AND
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT –
MODULE OVERVIEW
Week one – Dave Harte, Hazel
Collie, Hilary Weston Jones Jan 2021
AIMS OF THIS SESSION
To provide you with an overview of the module content, schedule
and teaching team - Hilary
To provide you with an overview of the assignment - Dave
 To introduce you to the theme of working in the creative industries
- Hazel
To provide you with an overview of the support around
employability which is available to you in your final year - Hilary
QUESTIONS AND CHAT
If you have any questions as we go through, please put these in
the chat bar which we will check regularly throughout this session.
We will also remain online for 20 minutes after our session to talk
with you and answer questions.
MODULE OVERVIEW
Hilary Weston Jones
AIMS OF MED6176
The aim of this module is to prepare you for the world of work.
You will receive practical advice and be introduced to relevant
theories in order for you to develop as a media worker in 2021.
You will be asked to reflect on what it means to be a media
worker and to demonstrate your readiness for the world of work.
You will be asked to reflect on your years of academic studies
and practical activities.
We will be addressing some of the particular challenges facing
media workers in the time of COVID.
THE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Reflect on the skills needed to be successful as a media worker
in the context of challenges facing media organisations.
2. Critically evaluate and articulate professional opportunities for
career development within the media and creative industries.
HOW WILL WE DO THIS?
We will deliver weekly online lectures alternating between small
group sessions and entire cohort sessions.
Each lecture will include an activity and you will be set selfdirected study.
We will be hearing from guest ranging from Industry Experts and
Alumni.
Moodle will provide you with support material.
Invites will be sent out via Teams.
OVERALL SCHEDULE –
ALL ONLINE
Entire cohort sessions –
alternate Thursdays between
10.00 am and 12.00 pm
Groups B & E sessions –
alternate Thursdays between
9.00 am and 12.00 pm.
Groups D & F sessions –
alternate Thursdays between
1.00 pm and 4.00 pm
WEEKLY SCHEDULE – ONE TO SIX
Week 1 - Module and Assignment Overview and Introduction to Creative
Industries
Week 2 - What is the Media Industry in the time of COVID?
Week 3 - Media Industries and Organisational Structures
Week 4 - New Ways of Working in the Media and How to Stay Motivated
Week 5 - Exploitation, Rights and Unions
Week 6 - Alumni Stories and Interview Techniques
WEEKLY SCHEDULE – SEVEN TO TWELVE
Week 7 - Communicating expertise, social media use and professional identity in
cultural, media and creative industry work. Networking and promoting
yourself
Week 8 - How to be a Freelancer
Week 9 - Mind the Gap – Taking Stock and Moving Forward
EASTER BREAK
Week 10 - Assignment Help
Week 11 - Tutorials
Week 12 - Assignment submission will be no earlier than week 12, confirmation before
beginning of week three.
TEACHING STAFF AND GROUP LEADERS
Group A – tbc if required
Group B – Dr Faye Davies
Group C – Dr Hazel Collie
Group D – tbc if required
Group E – Dr Jerome Turner
Group F – Dr Matt Grimes
Entire Cohort sessions and Module Lead – Hilary Weston Jones
THE ASSIGNMENT
Dave Harte
HOW TO GET 100% IN THE ASSIGNMENT
FOR THIS MODULE
Produce a report* about the following:
 What are the contemporary challenges facing the media
and creative industries?
 What is your plan to develop your career given these
challenges?
*Your report could be a written report, a video, an audio recording, an audio
slideshow, a website….
PLANNING YOUR RESPONSE
1. BRAINSTORMING:
Do some thinking about the challenges facing the sector.
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inclusivity and diversity,
diversification of business models,
new working practices,
shifting audience consumption practices,
emerging business models,
new content commissioning processes,
sustainability and climate change,
the impact of social and digital technologies
Example – sustainability and climate change:
The television and film industry is facing issues related
to sustainability and climate change, both in terms of the
need to make productions more environmentally friendly
by creating a lower carbon footprint, and also by
making programmes that draw attention to issues of
climate change.
wearealbert.org
Example – shifting audience consumption practices
(and business models, and issues of activism and
alternative media practices):
The local newspaper has traditionally acted a
platform through which ordinary citizens were
represented and power could be held to
account. However, declining advertising
revenues and readership has resulted in local
news isn’t that local anymore and readers are
getting their (mis)information from dodgy
Facebook groups.
2. STATEMENT:
How does this challenge connect to your own ambitions?
“I’m concerned about environmental issues as much as anyone else and I have
noticed that there is more coverage of these issues in lots of different kinds of
television programmes. Such issues are even changing the way the industry works
on a day-to-day basis. I think a good way to get ahead in the TV industry is to
demonstrate not only that I care about the environment but that I have really
good ideas for programmes on these issues and that I am already across how the
industry is adapting itself to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Make a connection between the values you have and the
career ambitions you have for yourself.
3. RESEARCH:
Gather some evidence.
Issue:
Working as a freelancer in the creative industries can be
precarious (irregular work, non-unionised, can be difficult to access
support at times of crisis – eg: COVID).
Statement: “I recognise that working as a freelancer can be a good way to
experience lots of different aspects of the TV industry, build my
skills, and build a network of contacts. However, I worry about
getting enough work and being treated fairly. I feel that freelancers
are such an essential part of this sector they should be better valued.”
Secondary research (finding what others have written about this
issue)
 Academic research
 Industry research
Primary research (your own research with people affected by, or
commentating on, the issue; or your own experience of it)
 Interviews with media workers
 Your own experiences from placements
4. REFLECTION:
Consider your own skills and route into work.
creativeaccess.org.uk
Identify your career path.
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/creative-and-media
targetcareers.co.uk/career-sectors/media
4. REFLECTION:
Consider your own skills and route into work.
Present evidence of your
suitability for this career
path
5. REPORT:
Turn your planning and preparation into your report.
Introduction
•Your
'statement' is a
strong
justification of
the issue and
why it matters.
Critical Evaluation
Reflection
Conclusion
•A mini-essay outlining the
issue, drawing on a range
of primary and
secondary research
sources.
•An overview of your skills
and your plans to find
work, drawing on examples
and testimonials.
•Connecting the
issue you
explored to
your career
plans.
Output format
report (3000 words)
OR
video (circa 8-12 mins)
OR
website (varies)
OR
audio (circa 12-15 mins)
OR
Anything else appropriate
HOW TO GET 100% IN THE ASSIGNMENT
FOR THIS MODULE
 Demonstrates a highly developed understanding of the chosen challenge
and offers insightful evaluation of the sector’s reaction and response.
 Includes substantial academic and industry research, including primary
research.
 Offers a detailed evaluation of future development opportunities and an
honest and mature evaluation of existing and new skills.
 Indicates that you are highly strategic and reflective in your approach to
career planning and development.
 It’s clear that your ambitions yet achievable plans are underpinned by
thorough and appropriate industry research.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
 Read the assessment guide on Moodle.
 Begin stage one of the process…
WORKING IN THE CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES
Hazel Collie
HELP AND SUPPORT AVAILABLE
TO YOU
Hilary Weston Jones
ADM CAREERS + - AFTER YOU GRADUATE
Help and support you with your job search.
Offer support after gradation.
Will hear more from them in Week 4.
www.careersplus@bcu.ac.uk
OUR MOODLE PAGE
The Module Resources section on Moodle includes:
An introductory video from ADM Careers + and a link to
booking an appointment
List of useful media and creative industry websites
List of useful websites for job searches
List relevant LinkedIn Learning Courses
Graduate Profiles
List of useful databases for job searches
SCHOOL OF MEDIA
Continued access to Job Book after you graduate.
Regular communications to our graduates promoting opportunities.
Media Mentoring Scheme.
Your Lecturers – stay in touch!
BCU SCHEMES
STEM Up
Scheme open to all 3rd years and graduates to help you obtain new skills identified
by completing a skills audit. After analysing the results you will be invited to attend
online workshops to help you develop new skills.
Mentoring Schemes
We run various mentoring schemes where you can be linked up to someone working
in your area of interest. They will offer you support during your job search and
early stages of your career.
These schemes are both free. For more information email
hilary.westonjones@bcu.ac.uk
NEXT WEEK –
THURSDAY 4 TH
FEBRUARY, 10.00 AM
TO 12.00 PM
• What is the Media Industry
in the time of COVID?
• What has it’s impact been?
• What does the future look
like for you?
• Are there any positives?