What happens when graduation doesn't lead to the career you imagined? In this episode of The Media Mentor, I catch up with former mentoring client Emily D'Souza, who first came to me during the pandemic feeling completely lost after university. Like many graduates, she was struggling with rejection, uncertainty and wondering whether a career in media was ever going to happen.

Fast forward a few years and Emily is now freelancing across BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, podcasts and production companies, building an exciting and varied career.

Here we discuss:

• coping with rejection after university

• the reality of freelance life

• networking without feeling awkward

• why personal projects build confidence

• saying yes to opportunities (without burning out)

• why your reputation matters just as much as your CV

Emily also explains how starting a simple book club unexpectedly opened doors, built confidence and helped create opportunities she never imagined.

If you've ever questioned whether you're good enough, or wondered whether a media career is really possible, this episode is for you.

The Media Mentor is here to help your media career like I did with Emily. Whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.

There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.

For all the latest job listings head here.

To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I talk to Rosa Simkin, winner of the MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition 2026. Now in its third year, the competition aims to increase opportunities for young women building a career in sports broadcasting, whilst uncovering and supporting the next generation of female broadcasting talent in cricket. Here Rosa talks about how she has already built an impressive portfolio of work and hasn't even turned 20. It's a lesson for us all about using today's opportunities to create a brand and make contacts. Rosa also talks about how sport media still needs to increase its diversity for on-air talent.

The Media Mentor is here to help your media career if you have ambitions like Rosa, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.

There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.

For all the latest job listings head here.

To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I talk to Manni Rai, a Talent Acquisition Partner at Reach plc and Qualified Careers Adviser to give us the inside word on what recruiters are looking for from applicants. Manni's views are his own but give a brilliant insight into what candidates often do wrong when applying for jobs.

The Media Mentor is here to help your media career, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.

There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

More details about The Media Mentor can be found here.

For all the latest job listings head here.

To get alerts on media jobs as they drop follow the MM WhatsApp channel here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.