It has always been my intention to pull people up with me while I rise. What I mean by this is, whenever I learn something, I try to pass on that knowledge.
When I was fourteen or fifteen years old, I was sure that I would be a journalist or photographer or writer or ‘general creative’ and that steered me on the journey I am now on.
I remember being told by a teacher in school that I would have to work extra hard to succeed. He said I had drawn the short end of the stick, being black, young, from a low socio-economic background and a woman.
Up until that point, I was oblivious of the many hinderances that actually stood as barriers for me in the media industry. But I soon learnt. He was right.
I had to work harder to do well during my GCSEs and A-Level – even getting better grades than needed to get into Sheffield university to study Journalism. But in September 2015, when I made the four-hour car trip from London to Sheffield, I became aware that getting into uni was only half the battle.
I was part of a cohort who had parents, aunties and uncles established in the media industry, who were ready, on standby to help them make it in the industry.
This is why I appreciate what the Royal Television Society (RTS) do (and why I talk about them so much!)
The Royal Television Society bursaries offer great opportunities for students who are looking to enter the TV industry. The bursaries are supported by STV, All3Media and Disney, and mentors drawn from the RTS network of over four thousand members as well as valuable internship opportunities to help you gain experience and contacts are on offer to successful applicants.
During my time studying, the RTS bursary meant £1000 each academic year, alongside invaluable networking and mentoring opportunities in places and with people I normally would not ever meet.
This year, they are taking on more RTS Students than ever! If you are going to univeristy this September to study TV Production, Broadcast Journalism, Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Maths and you love Film, TV and UK Media, make sure to apply: https://rts.org.uk/education-and-training-pages/bursaries.
I have had a great time being a part of the RTS (you can read my RTS Student diary here or about the time I met the Royal Family here) and I am passionate about the next generation of people working in the media to be more representative of the United Kingdom.
The deadline is soon: 30th June so don’t leave it too late.
If you have any questions about your application for this or any of the other scholarships the RTS provides, feel free to comment bellow or drop me an email: mspaulamelissa@gmail.com.
