Media

I wasn't too sure what to do once I left school, but I've always been creative, so I went to an open day and spoke to friends. I liked the idea of making videos, especially documentaries.

The course feels like what a career would be like if I went freelance, which is what I'm planning to do and the trips, like visiting Pinewood Studios, were really interesting and helped to put the course into context.

Now I'm doing freelance on the side, having bought my own camera which I've learnt how to use through college, taking photos of local bands and for businesses.

I started the course with course with two things – an interest in the media industry and a positive attitude – but I left with so much more.

I now have skills, knowledge and experiences that combined to make me employable in the media industry. I was given the chance to be creative, to experiment, and to find what I really enjoyed creating and pursue it.

The course helped to progress to where I am now, studying Camera Operation for Television Entertainment at the National Film and Television School, with the long-term goal of working as a freelance camera operator for Sky and the BBC.

The most enjoyable aspect of my course was the blend of both theoretical and practical assignments. I understand theoretical work can be daunting for a lot of people; I was one of those people at one time.

This course helped me to face that challenge head-on and now I feel confident and productive when carrying out theoretical work.

College has given me the opportunity to explore the artistic medium I am passionate about in my own way and I have learnt an awful lot doing it, whilst gaining a qualification in the area.

Ed studied on the Level 3 Diploma at college and graduated from the University of Gloucester in Media Production. He is currently Marketing Executive at Goodlife Fitness in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Canada:

"The atmosphere at college was great and I was able to develop new and unique skills which really help in my current role. The tutors were always super supportive, whether it was helping with the course content that I found challenging or giving you knowledge to implement in future endeavours.

I would highly recommend Abingdon & Witney College and I look back at my time there fondly."

Marc studied Level 3 Media with the College at the Abingdon campus.

"I'm now in my seventh month as a staff Broadcast Technical Operator at QVC (Shopping Channel), and I'm absolutely loving it here.

I'm a camera operator for floor pedestal cams, robotic cams and live show sound mixing."