A popular on-air personality has told aspiring journalists to “say yes to everything”.
BBC Radio Two presenter Ellie Brennan addressed students at Leeds Trinity University’s 17th Journalism and Media Week.
“Say yes to everything,” she said. “You’ll get stories, you’ll gain experience, you’ll meet people, you’ll learn a lot. If you want to be a journalist, these are all important skills to have.”
Her most illustrious example was dressing up as a dinosaur to surprise Jonathan Bailey during a broadcast.
“A lot of people will say no,” she said. “It might be that three people have said no and you’ve said yes, and you get that opportunity.
“It’s okay to feel scared – do it anyway.”
Ellie joined BBC Radio Two in January of this year. She presents the traffic and travel news on Scott Mills’ breakfast show.
“I’ve been doing ‘breakfast hours’ for about a decade”, she said in reference to waking up at 4.45am. “I wouldn’t get up that early for any other job!”
It was Ellie’s previous role as a travel reporter for BBC Radio Five that led to her clinching her current position.
“It’s 50 percent talent and 50 percent making things happen. You’ve got to make people notice you. Once you’ve made connections, you don’t know where they might lead,” she said.
When it comes to breaking into journalism, “you’ve got to keep looking forward”, she said.
“It’s such a quick-moving industry. Doors will close and others will open. Your career might not look how you thought it would.
“To everyone studying journalism right now, hats off,” she added. “We need good journalists more than ever.”
As well as seizing every opportunity, Ellie stressed the importance of teamwork and networking.
“Don’t take having a team around you for granted,” she said. “Mine them for ideas and inspiration – it’s great to share ideas. That’s what creates the magic.
“It’s worth looking out for events specific to networking,” she added. “People are more likely to remember you and get to know your face.
“Message people, but don’t be offended if they don’t reply. Be realistic in what you’re asking.”