Alex Seftel’s Career Growth from Student Media to BBC
Alex Seftel’s journey in journalism is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities and embracing career growth. Learn about the Career Equation and how it can transform your professional path!
In today’s episode of the Career Equation, we sat with Alex, a versatile journalist and BBC podcast producer. From student media to BBC podcasts, Alex’s career shows curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to step out of his comfort zone. He shares, “I wanted to get into sports because I’ve been a sports fan, although that hasn’t been my upbringing. My parents aren’t interested in sport that much.” His interest in sports journalism came from wanting a more relaxed setting than political reporting. “Sport was a little bit more relaxed than politics. You didn’t have to think about balancing between two sides, less stressful, you can say more what you want,” Alex explains.
His journey began in earnest during his university years when he took the plunge into student media. Despite initial hesitations, Alex found a welcoming community that shared his interests. He recalls, “When I got into it people were very friendly. We had the same interests in the case of sport, for example.” This experience helped him to find passion. It helped him to build skills in commentating, writing, and TV production.
Career Development through Student Media Experience
Alex’s time in student media played a crucial role in his career development and career growth. He emphasizes the value of these early experiences. He states, “The chance to commentate on something doesn’t need to be a high level. Doesn’t need to have any experience whatsoever. The chance to write an article that gets published in a newspaper doesn’t matter how many people read it, realistically.”
These opportunities allowed Alex to experiment and learn, even if the results weren’t always perfect. He admits, “Edited things in a way that was bizarre that you wouldn’t listen back to. One of the things you learn is that you, ideally don’t have to edit something. It’s just, it’s conversation.” This hands-on experience proved invaluable in shaping his skills and understanding of the craft.
Overcoming Challenges and Imposter Syndrome
Like many in the journalism career field, Alex faced his share of challenges and self-doubt. He recalls the social anxiety that held him back. He says, “I was a little bit hesitant because I thought, Oh, am I going to be good at this? What kind of commitment is it going to need?” This experience of imposter syndrome is common among those starting in new fields.
Alex’s commitment to his passion helped him overcome these obstacles. He mentions early starts and volunteering. He states, “Some of those things did involve commitment. They involve very early starts, it’s volunteering student media. So to get up at three in the morning and travel.” His dedication paid off with positive feedback that pushed him to pursue journalism. He was able to achieve his career goals.
Finding Work-Life Balance in Freelance Journalism
As Alex’s career progressed, he found himself navigating the world of freelance journalism. This career path brings its own set of challenges and rewards. Especially when it comes to work-life balance. Alex reflects on the dilemma many freelancers face. He says, “Freelancing and enjoying every day being different brings the question of, are you lacking something in respect of not specialising in a particular area?”
Balancing variety and specialization is a common concern in freelance journalism. Alex ponders, “Are you losing out on development? Then at the same time, lots of people are doing one thing and they might feel bored or they might have various other negatives in that.”
Conclusion
Alex Seftel’s journey from student media to BBC podcast producer offers valuable insights. These are valuable for career growth. And for people who are looking to advance in the field of journalism. His experiences highlight the importance of embracing opportunities. His journey is the epitome of overcoming self-doubt. He emphasizes finding a balance between specialization and versatility. As the media changes, Alex’s story inspires aspiring journalists and storytellers to make their mark.
About Alex Seftel
Alex Seftel is a versatile journalist and BBC podcast producer. He has a passion for sports broadcasting and storytelling. His career journey began in student media, where he honed his skills in various aspects of journalism. His journey started from commentating and writing, to TV production. Alex’s experiences have led him to work across many sports. He worked for various companies, both big and small.
Alex is currently producing the England Athletics Podcast. He shares athletes’ personal stories and their journeys to the Olympic Games. His work demonstrates a keen ability to find and tell compelling narratives.. Alex’s career exemplifies the evolving nature of modern journalism. It focuses on balancing specialisation in sports with a broader engagement in news and current affairs.
The Career Equation showed him that he could be known for his reporting style rather than being confined to a niche area of news.
