At Global Academy, we help students to build their industry connections, grow their portfolios and gain the qualifications needed to make it within the Media and Broadcast Industry. Students can apply and be selected for a Global mentorship programme where students are mentored by industry professionals in their chosen field and guided throughout their career journeys and studies whilst at Global Academy. We sat down with Gemma Nash, who told us about how the Global Mentorship programme has helped her interview Capital’s breakfast presenter Sian Welby.
Hi Gemma, thank you so much for chatting with us today. Firstly, can you tell us what the interview was for?
Hi of course! For my Final Major Project, I am creating a radio showreel to send out to companies I may want to be a presenter or audio editor for, to help showcase my work and abilities. I am also producing a documentary showing how to create a showreel and the different elements.
That’s great, now you could have interviewed anyone, how did you manage to be able to interview Sian Welby?
I know, it is crazy. I mentioned it to my Mentor, Amy Mackenzie, who is the Senior Music Producer at Classic FM, and wondered if she knew of anyone I could potentially approach. After a week or two, she told me she had been chatting to Scott Myers, the producer of Capital Breakfast show, and that Sian would be willing to do this. It had to be rescheduled a few times, but that was just due to the radio industry and its busy schedule, so I am really pleased we were able to do it.
What did you learn by doing the interview? Was it as you expected?
There were a few technical issues to begin with, but overall it went really well. Sian gave some really great advice throughout the interview, but one thing that really stuck with me was “ I am finally in my dream job, but wow, I have done some jobs over the years. Your time will come, everyone’s timelines are different.”.
How have you found being part of the Global Mentorship and how do you think this has impacted your work?
It’s amazing having someone in the industry who can help with my work and especially gaining experience. Even if my mentor doesn’t specialise in a certain area, she will try her hardest to find someone who can help me. I recently had the Deputy Managing Editor from Classic FM help me on my Final Major Project on how to create a showreel. I feel so grateful to Global Academy because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been in the mentor programme. I am learning the relevant skills and building my contacts in the Media and Broadcast industry and Global Academy really provides you with opportunities no other sixth form or school could.
Lastly, what do you hope to achieve in the next five years?
The goal is to be working within the radio industry, preferably presenting or audio editing at Global or another Major leading radio company.
Thank you, Gemma, for sharing your experiences with us. We are wishing her the very best in her final major project. Tune into Youths Choice every weekday from 1-2 to listen to Gemma’s Radio show. The link to Gemma’s socials and interview with Sian Welby can be found below.
WATCH Gemma Nash Interview with Sian Welby.
