Alfie Butler, 19, is spending February at Absolute Radio’s studios in London, while Pete Symmons is also in the capital for a coveted three month stint at BBC Radio 1.
Both students are taking the Foundation Degree in Radio Production at The Bournemouth & Poole College, Lower Constitution Hill Campus in Poole.
Alfie, from Stanfield Road Winton, applied to Absolute via their website, where presenter Annabel Port, deputy head of music Tim Vernon, producer Gareth Evans and travel presenter Eloise Carr are all proof that work experience at the station can lead to a great job.
“I’m so looking forward to it” said Alfie. “I’ll be doing all sorts of things like working with assistant producers, interviewing complete strangers on the street and helping make commercials.”
Alfie says the skills gained on her course, such as learning how to operate a studio, carry out interviews, present her own show and produce other peoples’ radio programmes, have stood her in good stead. “The course has given me lots of confidence too, so I’m really ready to give this a go,” she added.
Alfie’s aiming for a dream job on a Los Angeles radio station.
Fellow student Pete, from Wycliffe Road Winton, also says confidence is one of the main things he is gaining from The Bournemouth & Poole College. “To be honest, I didn’t do very well at school,” he said, “But when I got to college I saw how motivated everyone was and knew I really had to up my game. There’s lots of competition for the best jobs out there but the course has really boosted my confidence and got me working hard towards radio.”
Pete, also 19, has gained unprecedented access to Radio 1’s inner sanctum, the legendary ‘secret playlist meeting’ where decisions on what the station plays can make or break recording artists. “They’ve never let an outsider in before, but I’ve got special permission, which is fantastic,” said Pete.
At the weekly meetings Pete will be coming face to face with the man who already has his dream job, George Ergatoudis, the Sony Award-winning Head of Music.
Pete was among 8,000 people to apply for the paid internship. Only 40 got through to the gruelling five hour interview process. Pete will be mentored by presenter Aled Haydn Jones.
