Rory Smith, BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism
Rory has long harboured hopes of being a broadcast journalist working in the television industry in the UKNow, he is well placed to fulfil his dream having developed his skills and experience while at LSBU.
Fantastic location
A major reason Rory decided to join LSBU was because of the university's central location, which provides plenty of opportunities for networking and work experience – crucial in the media industry. "It's a fantastic location right in the heart of the media world on the South Bank in London. It's moments away from museums, art galleries, television companies and news organisations giving me exclusive and exciting opportunities to get hands-on experience."
Within weeks of starting his course, Rory gained an opportunity to complete an internship on the ITV show 'This Morning'. After contacting various members of the production team within ITV he managed to get in touch with the editor of the programme. This led to him receiving a personal invite into ITV tower, only a 15 minute walk from the university. There, he was offered the opportunity to complete a two-week internship.
Incredible opportunities
During his time there, Rory's duties ranged from looking after and attending to celebrity guests to working as a production runner and completing any tasks which would help the production teams. On top of this he was offered the opportunity to shadow various members of the team and to learn the essential skills and techniques required to produce a daytime television programme.
He gained more experience with another internship on the ITV show 'Loose Women', working behind the scenes in the studio and the production office. Rory says "these incredible opportunities would not have been possible for me to achieve without being a student of LSBU."
Furthermore, the course director granted Rory permission and personally aided him in gaining a place on an opportunity to work at an American camp for three months, followed by travelling to Boston, New York and Miami during the summer.
Exciting future career
"I'm studying this course because of the unique practical based experience that is taught on these courses relevant to a career in journalism and media. We are taught by professionals in the media industry who have hands-on, valuable, transferable experience and a wealth of knowledge from working in a media professional environment."
Rory now believes LSBU has successfully helped him build a strong personal foundation with the essentials skills, responsibilities and qualities required to succeed in an exciting and challenging industry."LSBU has provided me with amazing personal support, the most up to date technology, relevant career transferable skills and a portfolio of work which will undoubtedly aid me in securing an exciting future career in the media industry."