Gillian Joseph – Q&A

Name?
Gillian Joseph

Age?
Over 21

Where are you from?
Born in Coventry and brought up in London

How did you get started in broadcasting?
I did a post graduate in Journalism at City University for which I won a BBC Bursary. When I completed my course I demanded a job from them. Well I thought it was only fair. Why should they spend thousands on me and then say goodbye. I Started at BBC North West tonight in 1991. Prior to that I used to work at BBC Pebble Mill while studying for my degree.

When was that?
I suppose I really started in 1988 when I did a placement as a news reporter at BBC Radio London, as it was then.

Why News broadcasting?
I thought about a career as a novelist but then decided it would be a nightmare staring at a blank page. Then it dawned on me that in journalism the story was already there.

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
BBC London, BBC Breakfast, BBC News 24, Radio 5 live

What would you like to do before your career ends?
Present top of the Pops and meet Nelson Mandela.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Run, read and chill with my two daughters and husband.

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
Develop a rhinoceros skin and make disappointment your friend. Knock backs come thick and fast when you are first starting out, but perseverance is the secret. I would also say that you have to suspend any notion of having a normal social life. You have to be ready to go wherever, whenever.

A big thanks to Gillian for taking part.,

Posted by on Thursday 21 May 2009
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