Elizabeth McGlynn

What is your current job role?

Freelance Researcher and Set PA in film and television.

What did you enjoy most about studying your course at Birmingham? 

Shooting a documentary for my dissertation, seeing my passion project come to life, meeting incredible people along the way and learning valuable skills that I have been able to carry into my current career.

I also enjoyed the work experience opportunities that gave me access to TV sets and my first TV credits whilst I was still at university.

How has your Master's degree influenced your career journey? 

It gave me a comprehensive understanding of how the industry functions, which allowed me to enter it equipped with intentions and expectations for my career. I identified the departments I was less keen to work in and the departments I aspired to work in. These aspirations have stayed the same over the past two and a half years since I finished the course, and I’ve now stepped up to be a researcher, the first step in progression on my preferred career path.

What skills did you gain from your course and studying at Birmingham that you still use today?

I spent around eight months researching, developing, shooting and editing my documentary dissertation, emulating the overall process of every unscripted television show, especially within the editorial department. I’ve recently stepped up to a role as a ‘researcher’ in TV, which directly incorporates the research and development aspect of making my documentary.

My thorough understanding of every layer of a production has been invaluable in aiding my progression and helping me stand out whilst working as a runner on productions, especially in the early stages.

Whilst incorporating lots of practical elements, the course is still largely theory based, allowing me to develop strong analytical and research skills to support practical elements, which in turn allows me to articulate my ideas and creativity comprehensively at work.

What careers support did you get while you were at Birmingham, and how did it help you?

On our placement module we were given opportunities to work on television sets and in the office for production companies. We were also frequently sent various opportunities in Birmingham for the film and television industry throughout the year, to widen our experience, gain greater knowledge of the industry and meet industry professionals. 

My placements provided me with contacts and experience in the industry that directly led to me landing jobs when I left university. The television industry can be difficult to navigate, as it is predominantly freelance, with credits and contacts integral for acquiring work. The careers support at Birmingham was therefore vital in establishing the foundation of my career and allowing me to leave university with access to TV work.