BBC Breakfast

     
       On the morning of Wednesday 4th July 2012 I woke up at 5:20am in order to get a 'car' at 6:00am to be whisked off to the BBC Breakfast studios in the wonderful new Media City buildings in Salford Quays. The whole experience was surreal as I was home again by just after 7:30. By 8:00 when the kids were only just packing their bags for school, fellow jobseekers were snoozing softly, and commuters were just starting their engines, I felt like it was midday. Within 36 hours I went from being stuck next to an annoying man on a megabus from London to Manchester to being on national television. This is how and why it happened along with what the experience itself was like. I'm still hoping that the BBC will phone and offer me a researcher job for the next period drama, or work on the next series of Horrible Histories, or even be a news correspondent. However, as it is a week after my TV debut, I think that my chances are growing slim.
     
       It all happened very quickly - I would even say at lightening speed! Last Monday I ventured down to London to go and visit my very good friend Tricia Peone who was in the UK for a short time researching for her PhD. Tricia left the archives for the day to meander through Hyde Park, Green Park, St. Jame's Park and the Bucks Palace gift shop with me. I had a wonderful day, but doing the round trip on a bus was a bit tiresome. I didn't enjoy the 9 hours I spent crammed on a megabus, particularly as on the way back I was sat next to a persistent man. He meant well, but I clearly just wanted to read my book! Some people just don't get the hint. But when I finally arrived back at Tom's (the bf) I pjamaised, and quickly checked my facebook before bed. To my pleasant surprise a friend of a friend had messaged me.

       Thea (the friend of a friend) explained that she worked for a PR firm now and one of the clients they have is a graduate recruitment body (or something like that) and were realising data from a survey they took amongst graduate employers. BBC Breakfast had shown interest and wanted to interview a graduate looking for work on the programme. Having gotten in touch with our mutual friend, Hannah, they thought I would be good for the job and as I live only 20 minutes away from Media City also pretty conveniently located! So, I was shocked, excited, and wracked with nerves. I had to say yes, how could I refuse that?! But at first I was so so scared.

       The next morning, the excitement had overtaken the nerves and I was willing to throw myself fully into it. However, I received some very sad news which dampened the day and made it disappear. So after juggling numerous calls, before I knew it I was trying to grab some shut eye before my ridiculously early wake up. I got up, got dressed and then waited for my posh taxi, which although a little late was a beautiful car and a friendly driver. We arrived at the designated drop off point - Costa Coffee - and I walked and was greeted by a lovely friendly woman called Claire. A grumpy looking gentleman was also there who turned out to once have been in his own banking scandal - not a financial adviser like I asked... But it was all a flurry after that. Got to greenroom and grabbed some water - went to make-up for all of 5 minutes - went to outside the studio - got miked up - met the Producer (Yuan) and Presenter (Ben) and discussed what he would ask me - went into the studio (smaller than you'd think) and met the floor manager - sat down on a high bar stool (a good thing as the presenter is 6ft 6!) - and got introduced and blabbed for 3 minutes (see the above clip for the end result) - whisked out of my chair and the studio! I had a lovely chat afterwards with Ben, Yuan, and Claire, and the floor manager popped out to wish me luck. I was then escorted back to the greenroom so I could grab a juice and a croissant and then headed home in another lovely taxi.

       I genuinely don't think I have met lovelier people in my life. They were easy-going, fun, calm, and reassuring. It gave me a surge of confidence how lovely they were with me and how hospitable. I would love to work in an environment like that again, and hope that I may get the opportunity to in the future. Not only that, but I have also received kind words and enthusiasm from my friends and family. It was an all round amazing experience and a great ego boost! So thanks, Thea, Hannah, and BBC Breakfast for the experience and to everyone else for the love and support.