Case studies: Senior media assistant: Jeffrey Miller

Originally from the US, Jeffrey studied sociology and pre-law at the University of Kentucky. During his time there, he gained work experience in libraries and a role in the university's main library. He'd also studied for a semester in the UK and chose to do his Masters in Library and Information Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is currently working as a senior media assistant for a global media company.

After graduating, I gained a role in a university library as an enquiry desk specialist. During that time, I decided to pursue a position at the same global media company I'd done a work placement in during my Masters. I wanted to try a different environment while still using my information management skills. After getting in touch with contacts, I interviewed for my current role and got the job.

On a typical working day, I arrive to various media ordered by production crews sent in from the company's London and regional offices. I then check all the items in to an internet-based media management system. This system is the most challenging parts of the job, so far. It was introduced only a few days before my arrival and little or no one has training in it, so I had a lot to learn on my own. The system automatically notifies the individuals that their material has arrived. I then arrange the material for collection.

Throughout the day, customers arrive to get their material and I go onto the system and update that the material has been collected. Also during the day, production teams will arrive with tapes ready to be sent to London from the Transmission department. I add the necessary metadata into the system for each programme and then sort out the shipping of the items to London. I also get borrowed materials back from the production teams and I handle their movement in both the system and physically back to their locations across the UK.

At the moment, my qualifications are not completely necessary for the job, but they are an advantage. It is an entry-level role with training, but if I advance into a media manager role, my degree will be extremely useful. I have only been here a couple of weeks, but I know I want to progress into more of a research role within the company - developing ideas and organising programming using the skills I have developed. I really enjoy working in this environment. Rather than working in academic libraries and dealing with books for student essays, I’m working with materials transmitting various programs across the world. I love the media, and seeing the process is an amazing experience.

My advice for other students and graduates who would like to get into this career is not to feel restricted to the generic notion of a library. Our skills can be utilised across many sectors and used for a variety of things. Take advantage of trainee/work placement schemes; they provide excellent experience and help develop the direction you would like your career to go.