I work within Sky Post Production as part of the Edit Operations team, supporting the flow of media as it makes its way through the creative process.
As my role requires a vast understanding of technical standards, my current day to day involves learning from the other Edit Assistants and building up a bank of knowledge. My apprenticeship also means I am enrolled at London South Bank University, where I receive training from industry professionals and have been introduced to editing and colour grading.
In the last couple weeks, I have started being scheduled onto client projects, managing footage for ongoing projects and exporting files for clients to review. Everyone in my department has been super supportive, jumping at the opportunity to show me the ropes or shadow their work.
Having come from a non-technical background, the support from my team has enabled me to progress more quickly than I could have imagined. This has really helped me to build my confidence and my passion for the industry.
Since joining Sky, I have been given the freedom to develop my skills and fully integrate into a technical role, kickstarting my career from a dead end to a brand-new beginning. Every day, I learn something new and feel appreciated and valued within the team, which has given me a renewed sense of self and reignited my passion for the industry!
Now that I have a clear path for progression and the encouragement to keep pushing myself, I can put my energy into the work that I do and enjoy the variety of my day to day.
What has been a career highlight/project for you that allowed you to make a difference?
In a professional sense, my highlight so far would be the first booking I completed without assistance. It proved how much my apprenticeship has accelerated my learning, helped by the three weeks I spent at London South Bank University studying, so that I was able to problem solve effectively and begin to really contribute to the team.
For my personal growth, however, my highlight would be the Apprenticeship Launch Event Q&A Panel that I took part in, which confronted my nerves around public speaking, and proved that I am capable of more than I might realise. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with whatever comes next!
What about your role makes you feel excited, ambitious and inspired?
Every week at Sky presents a different opportunity. Whether that be learning something new from my peers, volunteering my time to support Early Careers, or shadowing other colleagues within my department to gather an idea of where I would like to progress.
Knowing that there are a variety of routes beyond my role, ranging from audio mixing to editing to colour grading, inspires me to never stop aiming higher.
At the same time, I am miles ahead of where I was five years ago. I believe it is important to stay motivated by my own milestones so far. My role at Sky is a credit to the hard work I have invested.
How would you describe the inclusive environment at Sky?
From my very first day I could feel how much Sky values its employees. My team were welcoming from the get-go, and my managers went above and beyond to make sure I felt comfortable and reassured.
The office itself prioritises wellbeing and flexibility, with different restaurants to choose from, a gym, a nail salon, and Employee Networks to find catered support and a community. I have personally joined the LGBTQ+ Network, and look forward to celebrating and supporting my peers throughout the year.
In your role, what are the best perks and benefits at Sky?
My favourite perk has to be the variety of food offered on site. Not being much of a meal prepper means I am constantly on the hunt for a good lunchtime deal. All of the food at Sky is super affordable and right on my doorstep if I'm ever in a rush!
I also love that I can head to the gym on my lunch break, meaning that my evenings are reserved for unwinding and spending quality time away from work.
