Case studies: Support officer: Mary Anne

Mary Anne graduated with a media studies and English literature degree from Nottingham Trent University in 2005. She now works as a support officer in sexual health and a part-time assistant youth worker.

I loved the course I did while at university. The things I learned have directly and indirectly helped me as I’ve pursued work opportunities. The coursework also helped boost my confidence. While I have not pursued career opportunities directly related to media studies or English literature, my coursework helped lead me down paths to jobs I love.

While at university, I did work experience at the Edinburgh Film Festival. I think this opportunity, as well as my media degree, helped me secure work as a BBC volunteer after graduation. This position offered me the chance to work with fair-trade and local charities. Around the same time, I also got a temporary job working for a charity in a prison. Through colleagues at the prison, I started to volunteer with young offenders and really enjoyed this. I discovered I liked working with young people and doing charity work.

Eventually, I was offered a job as an assistant youth worker in two youth centres. I also started on a temporary contract in a school which led to my current, permanent role as a support officer in sexual health. I still work in two youth centres in the evening. 

My job is different every day. With my sexual health support officer role, I spend a lot of time working with young people. Some days, I go to schools and lead workshops about chlamydia or other sexually transmitted infections. I also screen students and give out condoms and sexual health information. Back in the office, I do data entry, filing and training for new members of our team.

In my assistant youth worker role, I help plan, organise and run various activities for young people. These might include cooking sessions, drama groups and talks about healthy eating and drinking. Despite not working in a field directly related to media studies, I use media in the projects I do with young people.

The best part about my jobs is working with young people. I also love how fast-paced it is and how no day is the same. The work is challenging, but that appeals to me and makes me love it all the more. I still can’t believe I get paid for the work I do! But don’t tell my boss I said that!

Eventually, I would like to go back to work for charities like the ones I helped while at the BBC. I also might like to use my English degree to teach.

My advice to other students is to do what you love when it comes to your university course and your career - even if they seem quite different! If you want to go into media (or any other career field), volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. This is the best way in. It gives you experience and you can see which areas you enjoy the most. It shows an employer how serious you are about the work.

In the end, you have to believe in yourself and work hard.

AGCAS

Sourced by Amy Newton, AGCAS

Date: 

October 2009

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