Name: Joe Wick

Course:BTEC National Diploma in Media

I enjoyed school but I did not work hard enough so only gained mostly grade Ds in my GCSEs.  When I got my results I decided that I was going to do better.

I did not really know what I wanted to do. I thought about several careers including becoming a chef and a stunt man.

It was a friend of my mums who worked for Augustus Martin, a well established graphic design company that introduced me to the exciting world of Media.

I decided a career in media was for me and looked at media courses offered by several colleges. I decided to attend Waltham Forest College because I had heard that the media courses at the College were very good and that the lecturers were supportive and had high expectations of their students.

I initially enrolled on a BTEC First Diploma in Media and achieved a distinction. I am now completing my final year on a BTEC National Diploma in Media (equivalent to 3 A Levels). 

During my time at Waltham Forest College I have been involved with several projects including working with the film director Menelik Shabazz as a runner on location during the production of ‘Lovers Rock’. I have also won the Jack Petchey Award for outstanding achievement.

I have really enjoyed my time at the College because my courses have allowed me to get a taste of all aspects of the media profession. The course covers animation, writing, film and graphic design.  I decided to focus on graphic design as this was the area that I excelled in most.