Navigating a sustainable career in a constantly evolving industry is not easy. Robbie Miles, Head of Industry and Alumni Engagement at AFTRS, (and AFTRS alumnus) shares his insights.
AFTRS graduates enter the industry fully prepared with multifaceted skills that set them up well for positions where they’ll be able to step into a role and rise quickly thanks to their detailed understanding of the production process.
“They are also very fortunate to have tutors who are active in the industry, so they’re able to pivot classes and have those insights that are very much up to date with what the industry’s doing.” Miles explains. If students don’t land their dream jobs straight away, Robbie encourages graduates to stay flexible. “Staying open to the many different ways they might get there is vital because they’re being trained to step into a very vibrant and constantly changing industry.”
Miles acknowledges the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. “If there’s opportunities within sound, but they’ve always considered themselves a cinematographer or a director, thinking about the different ways in which they can tell stories or express themselves through different disciplines is important. So just keeping an open mind is, is key.”
According to Robbie, the most successful graduates combine humility, dedication, and collaboration. They invest in networks and friendships, supporting one another to create lasting connections. “If you can stay agile, interested and passionate about what you’re doing, building that community around you and looking not just for what you personally only want to do, but where you can add value and where the opportunity stands, [sic] the graduates I’ve seen in good stead.”
Listen to his interview with Rebecca Graham in the Careers Episode on AFTRS FM on Wednesday 3 September
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