The London Experience

Lauren Williamson, M.A.

Deciding on and Financing TravelsScholarship applications

Choosing postgrad, extra courses, MA?

Admittance into a University, more

bursary/scholarship apps

Federal Student loans,

applications for grants (some are

need based) – Sallie Mae

Permission to Go, Permission

to Stay

Student visa:

-have proof of living funds,

-proof of university sponsorship

-proof of school funding

-undergrad academics proof

-proof of housing or an address

-paperwork 3-6mo beforehand due to backlogs + biometrics and Dallas based appointments

Post Study Work visa:

-have proof of living funds (not allowed unemployment benefits)

-proof of MA and qualifications,

Tough Transitions

• Faux Pas… lost in translation• Nationalized health care• Losing the 24/7 culture• Navigation, public transport• Lack of space, need for

flatmates• Budgeting!!!!!!• Homesickness (and no

2 steppin’ or good Tex Mex)• Anti Americanism

Trumped by the Benefits

Keen! Spot on! Proper! Pubs! Lou!

The Professional Pursuit

* Building a portfolio * Working for free * Working with various entities to build contacts

The Professional Pursuit

Unexpected Difficulties• Resume vs CV peculiarities

– Personal info expected, profile synopses– Restructuring to minimize US experience

• Prestige of previous work is lost– Portfolio not to style

• Preference for locals in Radio/TV for on air work• Employer concern over your longevity• Testing, testing and more testing – local

specificity & tough economy• Facing rejection

How to Compensate• Web based portfolios

www.davidschettino.weebly.com  • Highlighting technical skills: equipment and

software and WRITING– News style of US valued and often imitated

• CVs with iphone QR code to scan• Join specialist societies/guilds, clubs,

Universities/Film Schools listings, LinkedIn• Business cards• Offer free work for experience• Recruitment Agencies• Attend networking events, lectures to meet

people– Don’t be afraid to send emails and ask for help, ask for

information interviews – INITIATIVE impresses

Revising the StrategyRevising the StrategyCasting the net wideCasting the net wide

TV production: TV production: corporate videos, corporate videos,

bespoke projects for bespoke projects for clients, ICIS lunchtime clients, ICIS lunchtime

bulletins bulletins

News and in-depth News and in-depth articles articles

Blogs Blogs

TravelTravel

FreelancingFreelancing• Al Majalla book Al Majalla book reviews and think and think

tank tank reports and and articles• UKDF Multimedia projects (Egypt UKDF Multimedia projects (Egypt

counterpart protests), MOD counterpart protests), MOD briefings – blog as relevant – blog as relevant platformplatform

• Heptagon Post & bespoke editing Post & bespoke editing worksworks

• Volunteering Volunteering projects to keep to keep portfolio current and practice your portfolio current and practice your passion outside of work passion outside of work