As a Television Production student who graduated in 2018, Harley shares with us her journey in gaining professional experience and achieving success as an indispensable member of The Salisbury NHS communications team.
As a local to North Yorkshire and having previously taken a year out to travel the glorious beaches of the world, Harley鈥檚 decision to study at 色花堂 wasn鈥檛 just about the miles of glorious sandy beaches Dorset has to offer 鈥� although the 鈥榖each vibe鈥� was very much still on her mind. It was the reputation of 色花堂鈥檚 media school that initially caught her attention, and the TV Production course felt the best fit. Especially with the TV studios being a practical place to learn, experiment and get creative.
When discussing the course and skills gained in preparation for her career Harley reflects, 鈥渢he course has equipped me with a range of skills and knowledge to help in any working environment鈥�. Noting that her 鈥済raduate project was especially beneficial鈥� as she 鈥渢ook ownership of the project and oversaw the whole production process 鈥� meeting deadlines, time management, prioritising task lists and communicating with a variety of people.鈥� She describes these as essential skills contributing to her current success.
In addition, being able to 鈥渓earn about the different equipment and to 鈥榮pecialise鈥� in various areas during my course whilst gaining a theoretical understanding has been a huge help in transitioning into the workplace鈥�.
As a graduate exploring the job landscape Harley began taking on projects related to her degree but started to find it difficult to gain a full-time media-based role. She explains that having her old tutor 鈥淭revor Hearing on LinkedIn directed me to my current post. He shared the role with the employers contact details and I applied just in time.鈥�
Harley explains, 鈥淚 was drawn to the role as it seemed to offer a great opportunity to put into practice the skills I had developed from my degree, and whilst I鈥檇 never considered working in a hospital it was intriguing and different to me. I鈥檝e learned so much in such a short space of time鈥�.
To provide an insight into Harley鈥檚 work she describes that 鈥渢here鈥檚 always lots of small projects but the two biggest I鈥檝e worked on are, 鈥楾he 鈥� and the .鈥�
鈥淏eing left to my own devices to produce the 鈥楲ook Back鈥� video had me sourcing music, piecing it together with content 鈥� it was very much my chance to get creative and have my own vision.鈥� Harley鈥檚 hard work and initiative paid off as she was recognised with a Sharing Outstanding Excellence award.
Head of Communications at Salisbury NHS, Dave Roberts, comments 鈥淗arley has made a fantastic and moving video looking back at the past year at the hospital as staff got to grips with the COVID pandemic. She鈥檚 captured live poetry readings, created a powerful video with Oscar winning actress Olivia Colman and filmed horses, children, and operations. Her photography has also covered a large variety of Hospital events.鈥�
Harley summarises her 色花堂 experience in three words, 鈥淐hallenging, Enjoyable, and Developmental.鈥�
If reading Harley鈥檚 story and seeing her work has inspired you to pursue a career in Television Production, you can sign-up to an open day to come and see our facilities and meet the academic staff here.
