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Clearing set Tom Burton on track for media career

10 August 2015

 

If you are still seeking a place to study it’s not too late to contact Teesside University, where Clearing has been made simple.

The latest information on which courses are still accepting late applications and details of how to apply can be found at our Clearing Made Simple page.

Any questions to help in finding a course can also be answered by contacting the University’s Clearing hotline on 0800 952 0226.

The hotline will be running throughout the Clearing period, with advice available around the clock from 8.00am on Wednesday 12 August until 8.00pm on Friday 14 August.

It wasn’t too late for Tom Burton, who was set on track for a media career after applying to study at Teesside University through Clearing. Tom 23, said: 'It felt gutting on A-level results day when I discovered I didn’t get the grades I needed.' But there was light at the end of the tunnel when he changed direction, abandoning initial plans to study Economics and instead embarking on a career in television. Currently living in London where he works as a junior sales executive with the Twofour Group, Tom oversees sales of television programmes and formats across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. 'I was shocked when I got my results and it felt like the worst day of my life. It is horrible to go through, but looking back, the experience really galvanised me. I had been planning to study Economics, but Clearing opened the door to new things. 'I asked myself what I enjoyed and what I was interested in and decided to look at media degrees. I received a few offers through Clearing, but Teesside was the perfect place for me. 'I researched the course and looked at the website and was impressed with the cutting-edge facilities. One of the lecturers rang me to talk about my grades and my interests, which I thought was a really nice gesture. 'Although I didn't know the University, I knew the area,' said BA (Hons) Media Studies graduate Tom who was born in nearby Guisborough and grew up in Harrogate. 'But a real pull for me was that Teesside had won University of the Year.' He added: 'The course content was excellent and offered a range of opportunities and a chance to try everything. As well as learning hands-on production skills, we looked at popular culture in a rigorous academic way.'

During the degree Tom completed work experience and placements with BBC local radio, public relations firm Cool Blue, True North production company in Leeds, Middlesbrough film company Time Out Of The Box and ITV Tyne Tees in Newcastle.

He went on to complete an MA in Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London and also presented research at Bournemouth and Teesside with Teesside University media production lecturer Lucy Jolly.

He added: 'If you don’t get the results you need, my advice is to think of it as a hurdle - you might have hit one, but you’ve still got the rest of the race to go.'


Our Clearing Made Simple page has all the information
 
 
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