Bournemouth felt like home very early on. My flat mates, course mates and lecturers made me feel settled and inspired me to have a go at anything that came along. I felt as though I belonged.

Many ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ graduates go into careers which put them in studio and live television environments, like BBC journalist, Sarah Farmer, who graduated in 2002 with a

Remembering her time as a student in Bournemouth, where she now lives, Sarah says: “I remember Bournemouth feeling like home very early on in my time at the university. My flat mates, course mates, and lecturers, made me feel settled and inspired me to have a go at anything that came along. I felt as though I belonged.

“For me, my course was the right mix of lectures and practical learning. I loved the hands-on assignments and team assessments. The thrill of coming off-air on time for a radio news day, with a bulletin bursting with content, still lives with me.â€

Many students take on a work placement during their time at Bournemouth, Sarah worked at Top of the Pops magazine, ITV Meridian, BBC Radio Gloucester, and Gloucester Echo: “I was lucky enough to secure a number of brilliant work placements during my time at Uni, I had a glimpse at the world of print journalism at the Echo in Cheltenham and learnt from decades of experience at BBC Radio Gloucestershire. I also spent 6 weeks at ITV Meridian, very much hitting the ground running.

“I shadowed reporters on location and producers in the gallery. I wrote material which was broadcast and conducted interviews and vox-pops. I can still remember bursting with pride as I watched a snippet of my work feature within a bulletin!â€

Sarah went on to graduate ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ and head to work at Star 107.5 FM in Cheltenham, before being promoted to a reporter and newsreader in Bristol, hosting a half-hour news programme and weekend show.

“I'd kept in touch with contacts at Meridian, and in 2005 I landed a trainee journalist role. It wasn't my first interview there. I had applied for a number of jobs, each time getting a knock back and some valuable feedback to build on. In my five years there, I moved up the ladder to become an Assistant Programme Editor and tried my hand at most things: I produced flagship programmes, presented news bulletins, reported on location. I even filled in presenting the weather forecasts. This opportunity opened up a new pathway for me.â€

Sarah then joined BBC South Today in 2010 as a weather presenter: “With training from the Met Office, I deliver radio and television forecasts. On top of this, my role includes a number of reporting shifts and outside broadcasts. I've been involved in some amazing programmes; including a live broadcast from the top of the Needles lighthouse and BBC Children in Need appeal night.

Sarah now comes back to ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ to teach on the course: “I work with the broadcast lecturers to get students' TV and radio skill together, offering some voice coaching and presentation training too. I couldn't have imagined sitting on the other side of the university newsrooms when I first started on the course. I'm hoping to share some of my experiences with the next generation of journalists. I hope I can encourage, reassure and inspire them as they begin their careers!â€

Sarah puts some of her success down to being in the right place at the right time, but also taking up new opportunities when they arise: “For luck to be on your side you have to be ready for it. If you hang around, those chances will be snapped up by someone else. I'm ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ proud to be working in such an exciting industry.

“I face a range of challenges every day, from speaking to people who have lost their loved ones, to skydiving during the Bournemouth Air Festival. I'm glad that I worked hard, responded to feedback and bounced back from rejections. It's certainly made me a stronger, more confident person. When you love the job you do, it doesn't feel like work.â€


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