Welcome Mercy Ankama, our newest NoTurningBack2020 Ambassador. Mercy’s journey is the epitome of how to persevere and make opportunities happen in your career.

Welcome Mercy Ankama, our newest NoTurningBack2020 Ambassador. Mercy’s journey is the epitome of how to persevere and make opportunities happen in your career. Mercy is currently Production Co-ordinator, working within BBC Creative’s Design team. She always knew she wanted to work in television and studied Broadcast Television Production at the University of Westminster. We talked to Mercy about her career to date and how being involved in conversations about diversity in the workplace has brought together very talented individuals from diverse backgrounds at the BBC.

 

• Tell us a bit about your career to date, your experience and your key skills.  Why did you decide on a career in Marketing / Creative.  How did you break into the sector?

I always knew I wanted to work in television, so I studied Broadcast Television Production at the University of Westminster & after I graduated I was freelancing as a video editor for about a year & then I got a permanent job at KICC TV as a Video Editor. I stayed there for about 3.5 years & then went to work for an independent film company, Enlightenment Productions & after a few months I got a job at the BBC as a Production Assistant, working within BBC Creative’s Design team. I was initially only meant to be there for three months, but it eventually became a permanent role. After a year and a few months I was promoted to Production Coordinator.

• What do you most love about your work?  Can you give an example of a project you are currently working on and your role in it?

I love the team, the unique position I am in to be helpful to the team in an administrative capacity, but to also learn a lot about the creative side of things.

• What more do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for people from more diverse backgrounds in Marketing?

I think, people currently working in these industries should go into universities & schools, to speak about their experiences so that more students are aware of the potential career paths that are available.

Additionally, I think unconscious bias training for those doing the hiring, in these industries would be helpful.

Sometimes, certain companies create initiatives to help them hire people from diverse backgrounds, but then, those people seem to not progress at the same rate as others, so I think its worth looking at whether or not the same opportunities for progression are being offered  to people from diverse backgrounds.

• What are your personal ambitions in the sector?

Since joining the Design team, my interest in design has grown, so I am currently exploring my options in this field, all whilst building a design portfolio in my spare time.

• What is your one piece of advice to young people looking at a career in Marketing or Creative Services?

I would say, stay optimistic. When you’re first starting out, it can be difficult to land jobs in these industries, especially when you haven’t had a chance to do a lot of networking yet.

But if you stay optimistic, you will naturally be able to spot opportunities quicker & you will also continue to stay on top of your knowledge of the industry you’re trying to go into.

Your optimism will inspire you to make an effort to continue to sharpen your skills, because, you will believe that, it’s all going to help to get you to where you need to be.

• What projects in diversity and inclusion are you currently working on? What success have these projects had so far and why?

In 2020 & beyond I have been involved in conversations about diversity in the workplace & what more we could do as a department to help. Those conversations led to us making a great effort to search for very talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, who we have been able to bring on to our team as freelance designers & so far it has gone very well, but the work will continue so we don’t lose momentum.

 

 

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