Gaining work experience placements within the media industry is fundamental in helping students to build a portfolio, network and pave the path for the student’s career route.

Keira is a third year Media Performance for TV, Theatre & Film student at the University of Bedfordshire who became a Stage Management Assistant at the festival.

She said: “Working in a new and unique environment with lots of different people has been fun and interesting.

“I have helped India, the Stage Manager for the Boogaloo venue, by completing runner tasks, supervising workshops and talent, assisting the smooth changeover of events in the venue and liaising with artists set to perform.”

She summarised the experience as “fun, interesting and enjoyable”.

Our INCREDIBLE Saturday headliners, Wolf Alice blew everyone away tonight. That was a set we'll remember forever! #StandonCalling @wolfaliceband pic.twitter.com/4LkQqk2MAU

— Standon Calling (@StandonCalling) July 28, 2019

Stoyan’s role was Photography and Videography Assistant. The second year Film Production student summarised the festival in three words: “exciting, new, and motivational”. 

He took images of the venues and edited them on location; he also helped with the production, filming and editing of a short video of the festival.

Joy, a second year LLB Law student who was a Radio Production Assistant at Standon Calling, said: "I've been assisting Jennifer with the Boogaloo's Instagram page, taking pictures and videos of the artists.

“I can't choose a favourite part because working with Jennifer has been exciting, fun and easy. She has been really supportive and even offered me further work experience in radio.”

Joy, Llb Law- Radio Production Assistant."I can't choose a favourite part;working with Jenn has been exciting, fun and easy, she has been really supportive and even offered me further work experience in radio..to put it simply, it is working and having fun. Live your best life!" pic.twitter.com/9u6W21rFmF

— uniofbeds (@uniofbeds) July 30, 2019

Third year Media Production (Radio) student Achintya became the Boogaloo Radio Production Assistant for the duration of the festival. His role was to help with the sound, tech and lighting, and take photos for the radio station. 

Achintya offers advice for undergoing work experience: “One of the many important things to consider when pursuing a job in the media industry is you have to have a network of contacts, and that is what this placement helped me with.

“By interacting and becoming friends with the people from Boogaloo Radio, I have started to build up connections within the media industry. As a result, I have been offered further work experience with Boogaloo radio!”

What a busy weekend we had @standoncalling! Staff & students had a lot of fun running workshops for the festival goers, performers proved that the show must go on even in the rain, and some students spent their time lending a hand to festival staff on their work placements!👏🎼💃

— uniofbeds (@uniofbeds) July 29, 2019

Not only did the education partnership offer amazing opportunities to Bedfordshire students, but for the first time ever, Standon Calling held workshops and masterclasses from the esteemed staff and talented students from the University.

The University’s exciting festival programme of workshops in creative writing, performing arts and dance, T-shirt printing and virtual reality, proved very popular, despite a little rain.