Meet Madi Chantry, a current mentee and aspiring journalist who is working to learn more about the creative industry and start her career.

Madi got the opportunity to visit BBC York for a taster day, giving her the chance to learn more about the world of journalism first hand, develop her skills, and meet journalists to get some 1-1 advice and grow her network.

Being in the production studio, observing live shows, and even getting involved in creating content with the team at BBC York gave her some incredible experience and a better idea of what a career in journalism involves.

We had the opportunity to ask Madi some questions about her experience, here’s what she had to say:

Seven Questions with Madi

What was a stand-out moment for you whilst you were at BBC York?

When I got to read a news bulletin on the radio and navigate all of the buttons which control what comes on next. It was such a nerve-wracking, but fun moment!

How has this experience influenced your view of a career in journalism?

It has opened my eyes to the world of journalism and has really allowed me to envision myself working in a place like that.

How has your mentoring experience been so far?

Absolutely fantastic. It’s been such an amazing journey so far and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. My mentor, Kat, has been so wonderful and supportive and has provided me with excellent advice.

What have you been working on with your mentor?

My mentor and I are currently working on my portfolio and enhancing my skill set for journalism. We have also been meeting a variety of journalists so I can speak to them and ask them all sorts of questions to boost my knowledge of the career.

Did your mentor support you with accessing this opportunity? How so?

Kat’s company, Fine Lines, paid for my taxi so that I could get to BBC York. I am so thankful that they were able to fund my transportation to get to this amazing opportunity.

Were there any skills or lessons you've learnt during your mentorship that came in handy during the taster day?

Being bold and brave to speak up first. I feel like I’ve always been confident in a mindset of: “If not me, then who?” But, sometimes I need a push. From doing this mentorship, I have learnt that I should not sit back because people will not sit back and wait for me to speak up or stand up for myself, I have to be the one to push myself out of my comfort zone to stand out from everyone else! From doing so, I managed to do a lot of activities first and manage to keep conversations flowing with journalists.

How has mentoring helped you grow?

It has definitely increased my confidence in myself and in terms of speaking to people. I’ve been more inquisitive than I usually am, asking questions about anything and everything so that I can learn. I’ve also gained more motivation to go out there and email/call/message different places and look for opportunities that are local to me. For example, after my first meeting with a journalist, I emailed a court straight away and enquired about visiting so that I can take notes and write practice articles. I also bought a mini mic so I can start doing vox pops in the new year and start interviewing people to build a social platform on TikTok.

We are passionate about sharing and celebrating the stories of mentors and mentees in our community. These stories demonstrate the undeniable positive impact of mentoring, breaking down any misconceptions around it and bringing awareness about its benefits. Showcasing these experiences inspires others to get involved and contributes to building a more equitable and connected creative industry.

If you’d like to share your own story, please contact us here.

If you’re interested in joining one of our programmes as a mentee, like Madi, head here.

If you want to mentor on one of our programmes, get in touch here.