'Future Voices' is a Scheme during which you can have a chance to experience life at the BBC as a journalist and the applicants are usually young and passionate students. Three years ago when (for the first time) I was invited to talk about my job to 'Future Voices' I asked myself should I explain my job description or shall I empower them with the lessons I have learnt over time? The result was this presentation: 10 things I wish someone had told me when I joined BBC
This year I talked about these lessons for the third time.
10 Things I wish someone had told me when I joined BBC
1. 10 Things
I wish someone had told me
when I joined BBC
17 April 2018
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor - Near East Hub, BBC World
2. I joined BBC in 2008:
Who am I?
I studied journalism in Iran and worked for major news agencies there
Radio
& Online
PTV Digital
I was a senior broadcast journalist
when I left BBC Persian. Before
that I was their leading digital video
producer and YouTube Editor
DigitalDigiHub Near East Hub
Digihub and BBC Africa gave me
opportunities to strengthen my
digital skills and stand out in a big
pool of digital journalists
I am now Near East Growth
Editor, working with 5
language services in our
region to help them improve
their digital performance
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
3. Depending on what platform I am working on (Radio, TV,
Online, Social media, Chat apps, etc.), I use different sets
of skills, but there are 10 learning points that have always
helped me to thrive and be the best version of myself!
someone unforgettable for many :)
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
4. 1. Don’t wait to be
noticed
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
5. I wasn’t used to talking about my projects until I noticed that
always there is a search for talent. Sometimes one editor is
looking for someone to take care of a project exactly similar
to what you are already doing.
If you have impressive content or projects you’re
working on , TALK about it
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
6. 2. Don’t wait to be
given what you want:
ASKMaryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
7. Believe it or not, your editors have hundreds of tasks to take
care of. If they haven’t offered you that one project that you
passionately want, go to them and ask for it. BUT remember
to explain why you are the best person to do that job.
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
8. 3. The rules & boundaries
are NOT the same for
everyone
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
9. There have been times that I did the main part of a project
and someone else was the only person who got the credit. In
short time you might be disappointed, but over the time
everyone will notice who is the main player!
Some people will be oversold as success icons for
whatever reason, some people will be constantly
overlooked. Just move on and be your best...
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
11. I used to follow all the rules and do my job the way others have
always been doing, but I was noticed when I started doing things
differently.
Always ask: How can I do THIS better; how can I do
this differently to have better impact?
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
13. As you try new ways of doing things, you will face people who
want to stop you. They are either scared or intimidated and
arguing with scared or intimidated people will just waste your
valuable time.
Remember: There will always be voices (inside and
outside your head) saying ‘NO,’ ‘You can’t’ or
questioning your initiatives.
Just leave them in their own world
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
14. 6. Numbers are
your best friends
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
15. I used to jump on projects whenever I can and just do the labour
work. But when I started as Persian’s YouTube editor, Esra
Dogramaci who was leading YouTube project for BBC World
Service, stopped me and asked: ‘how are you going to define
your success? Where are your numbers to prove that?’
Remember: No one can question good numbers;
identify your main metrics to monitor and keep
tracking them.
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
16. 7. Be a Jill of all trades, but
don’t get distracted trying
to master every one
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
17. For a period of time, because I had radio, tv and digital skills (my
unique selling point at the time) I was expected to take care of a
TV project while working on a digital platform. I could do that
and I did, but went home exhausted and over time my brain was
exploding.
Decide what project has your highest priority. This
doesn’t mean you say ‘NO’ to others, it means you
prioritise then take care of the other projects as you
finish your main one.
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
19. Find someone you can learn from and someone you
trust.
Think about someone you idolise. Someone you want to be or
someone who had gone through the journey you want to take.
Go to them and explain what you are hoping to learn from them
and ask for guidance.
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
20. 9. Ask for help
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
21. No one has answers for everything, but always there is someone
who can answer your question.
Remember: we all need help/support to be the best
version of ourselves.
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
22. 10. Don’t be afraid of
failure
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World
23. We will be stronger if we turn each unsuccessful
attempt into a lesson to learn.
Failure teaches you
how not to do things
Maryam Ghanbarzadeh - Growth Editor- Near East Hub, BBC World