Here's how you can enter the media production industry.

Grab internships or freelance gigs to get hands-on experience. Connect with folks already in the biz, and don't forget to show off your work with a killer portfolio. Stay curious, keep learning, and you'll find your groove in no time.

Working in the media helped me to understand the adage "Time is gold." Every second counts from media planning to coordination up to post-production. The newsroom abbreviation TRT or the lingo Total Running Time is crucial because "dead air" is a capital sin or offense. Under time or over time are no-nos.

The media industry is truly a satisfying venture but it's tough. I started my company over twenty five years ago out of pure frustration. I couldn't afford to rent studio time or producers for my artists and clients so I became the plug. I literally bought a multi track recorder and a music workstation and set up in my living room as a music production and talent management company. It was shear persistence and trial and error but we found success because we controlled our own media. I say just do it. Don't over think it takes risks based on your goal.

You need to have a mind to learn. You can volunteer to work with a Media organization and from there you learn the fundamental principles of Media Production and get the privilege of having practical experiences. Volunteering will grant you access to mentoring by the Professionals who are in the organization. Ask questions and be part of the production processes.

Grab every learning opportunity with both hands. Find new ways to expand your skillset by exploring different methods in your production process. Trying new things is the most underrated yet most effective way to gain new skills.

Networking is the key to finding training opportunities and internships. Connect with other Professionals in the industry and build relationships quality with them.

"Who you know is as important as what you know". I absolutely, 100% agree with this. Your skills are almost useless if no one knows you have them. Networking is selling your skills so that people can reach out to you when they need someone with your skillset. You've got this!

It’s truly about who you know. Start at the boots on the ground level. Interns, Assistants, PAs. Connect wherever they are. Buy them coffee or lunch.

Make sure you are not networking with the aim of gaining employment or winning projects as everyone can smell your intentions from a mile away and this is not productive for your development.

Have a copy of the projects you contributed to or worked on. Create showreels for your works. Build your Portfolio and showcase your skills and abilities before your potential employer. Be confident.

Say it portfolio/resume/CV. portfolio/resume/CV is your first impression of the other person. Add a minor to minor details of your expertise and make one strong portfolio. In the media field, You need to customise your Portfolio for different job applications. Social media, website, content writing, copywriting, Video editing, voice-over artist, dubbing artist, photographer, videographer, and consultant; each profile required a different skill set. If you are a media student or not, your knowledge about XYZ industry will be shown in the portfolio. Give your best to make your portfolio shine among other applicatent.

Nah. Linkedin is fine. Don’t waste time on other stuff unless asked. Keep early intros and conversations short. We all know when someone’s right. Ever been asked to show your college transcript? Exactly!

If you are unsure if your portfolio reflects your best work, send it to your friends film makers for feedback (or even me! I'm always happy to look at showreels) and that way you can ensure your portfolio only consists of the best of the best of your work.

Start from somewhere. Even though you have a degree, it's not enough real-life experience while you are a student. so start with your favourite industry where you want to make your career. Once you start, there is always a way up. Send that mail to the company and get that dream job/mentorship.

Or just get going yourself. So much can be learnt through your own efforts. Write, produce and distribute all off your own back. In today's Media Production industry, the quickest way to gain skills is through doing, and it has never been easier to get started.

One thing I have found helpful is volunteering and interning at production houses or film sets the real actual experience is a solid foundation to add to the theoretical class work.

Most people overlook the business aspect in media production and that cripples them. You could have the best talent and production skills but with no business knowledge, you're setting yourself up for failure. Learn how business works, how money works and you'll be good????

You should know how money moves in any industry, but different buyers have different moves. If you don't have a product they want to buy it doesn't matter. Find out what they want to buy and work backward to the product. You'll work together on funding and distribution. Get a good lawyer when you need one, but then trust no one and use them get as close to your goals as possbile, but be flexible.

Of course stay current, but know that buyers don't change all that much no matter what they say. You know what they sell and so do they. Knowing the buyer audience is most important. Knowing current mandates isn't because they swing back and forth. Read industry trades daily, listen to podcasts and then be willing to chuck all of that. If you don't have a relationship to a buyer none of this will matter.

Key here is to make these trends 'your own'. What's your unique perspective? What's something only you can bring? The key to your success is your uniqueness - nobody can do what you do because of your life experience so make sure you take advantage of your unique perspective.

Trust yourself above everyone else. Start at partnering. Grab a celebrity. Start with the buyer not the creative and work backwards.