Just the begining

I began to weigh up my ambitions in Vietnam-November 2011

This year has been a real roller-coaster of emotions, but I feel 2012 could just be my year.

As I refresh my emails for the millionth time that minute... Finally an email is received...but is it the news I am waiting for?

I can see that it is from the BBC Careers, I have waited 7 days for this, 168 hours or 10080 minutes....not that I used this time to work this out!!!

A nervous feeling washes over me as I select the "open" option, I have seen from other successful peoples twitter pictures exactly what the e-mail would look like and I know the first word should say...Congratulations.....

BUT ...Does mine?!

I squint using a tiny gap left in my eye to read the email, I even half look to the side to try and make the news easier to take if it wasn't good....

My heart is pounding and my imagination is running away with me, as I vision myself with a BBC lanyard, in my dream job!

"YESSSSSS!!!" I scream as I do laps of the kitchen, I begin to dance like no-one was watching...and do my celebratory "Footloose" dance...

"I've been working so hard

I'm punching my card

Eight hours for what?

Oh, tell me what I got"

It was the e-mail that dreams were made of; I had gained my place on the BBC Production Talent Pool (PTP) 2012.

The process for me began in February 2012 in New Zealand as I was travelling and teaching abroad. I was as far away from home as I could be and at certain points of my trip abroad it certainly felt that way. I wanted to "live the dream" and experience as many new cultures as I realistically could (within the time and budget I had).

But I was fully aware of not losing the focus I had..I wanted to pursue my career in Media and my passion for TV and Radio...

When I was able to, I would visit the internet cafe and touch base with everyone and as part of my routine I would check the BBC website. My searches produced inspiring results, especially when I stumbled across the "PTP 2012". This is one opportunity I knew I couldn't miss out on....

Well after returning home, the PTP journey began...

For the interview it said "smart/casual.....even jeans were acceptable ..."

I pondered on this, especially as first impressions mean a-lot, I read articles that suggested that within 3 minutes the assessors had formed an idea of you...and let’s face it you only get one chance at a first impression!

Walking up the steps of BBC Wales, it was fair to say the butterflies in my tummy were having a party and    it was becoming more real. I was fairly early, so I decided to wait on the seating to the side of the entrance and chat to the other PTP-ers. I made a cool, casual descent into the luxury leather seating, this was an epic fail as it was definitely lower than expected and was followed by a "whoops" and perhaps I could try that first impression again and do a re-take.

Well, it seemed this was just the beginning of my journey through the new challenges that lay ahead. After an enjoyable day of interviewing I felt like the BBC was where I wanted to be more than ever. The coordinators for the day were motivating and made us feel at ease in order to perform to our best. Not only this I felt surrounded by such talent and like minded people, that the day flew by.

Fast forwarding to more recent events of networking drinks, this was something I had never experienced before. I felt like Bridget Jones, as she tried to overcome obstacles thrown at her...

I attended Cardiff drinks, as PTP-ers since training this was the first time we had met again, it was really good to see each other again and have a good catch up ..I seemed to have failed at the first "networking" hurdle I didn't come with a CV or a business card!! Others attended with both and even had a bag that was the perfect CV sized; I had everything else in my handbag but nothing that would have been useful in this situation! I could offer a plaster, highlighter, post-it note or sore throat sweet...but on this evening none of the above was required. I feel this is going to be one of those situations will most certainly learn from. Especially after escaping to the loo's to cool down, then leaning on the sink and then leaving a perfectly placed wet patch on my new "networking outfit"! 

I am now in the mindset that everything I see or do has the potential to be a TV/Radio show, as I take one more step along this new journey, I feel I have gained such a lot from my PTP journey so far...and I feel excited with the potential of what the future may hold.....