Meet Matilda and find out about life as a sound engineer with the BBC. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
I'm part of the radio unit, I'm a sound engineer. Usually I'm in studios at work either doing sessions or doing regular radio programmes, you know, drive time programmes, breakfast programmes. But then you also get to go out on the road for things like this for Outside Broadcasts. So we cover a lot of festivals – we've got one of us who's mixing the bands in the truck and I'm the person that's sort of in between the truck and stage being their eyes.
I came straight from sixth form where I sort of did a Broadcasting course but my technical knowledge was pretty small and I went straight into the BBC on one of the BBC apprenticeship schemes.
Everyone needs to have different skills and everyone brings different things to the table. Obviously your technical knowledge has kind of got to be there but I always think, and I always say to people who are trying to get into it, that can come with time, that's what you learn. What's really important I think is your social skills, being able to talk to loads of different people, getting along with the whole team, being able to deal with a changing environment.
I seem to just have this library of people who I can go "what mic shall I use on this?" and they go "oh, I used it on the Foo Fighters once and it wasn't that great", you know what I mean? I've got all of these people around me who just have all this knowledge and are so keen to share. And I've learnt absolutely everything about my job from the people around me so I think that source of knowledge is so important so never be scared to ask questions. The amount of times people say there's no such thing as a stupid question, there really isn't and don't be shy of doing that, that's a great way to learn.
It's quite a tough industry for females as well. Unfortunately, a male-dominated industry. But, for any females out there, don't be disheartened by that fact because you are by far good enough.
This job is amazing because, I mean, there are like pinch me moments. You know if I could tell my little 14-year-old self what I was doing now or the people I'm working with. It's totally bonkers but, yeah, it's great.
Don't be scared to ask questions. It's a great way to learn.
As a sound engineer for a BBC radio unit, Matilda works in the studio on sessions or radio programmes for drive-time and breakfast shows. She also goes out on the road, working on Outside Broadcasts (OBs) and festivals
At sixth form Matilda did a Broadcasting course, then applied for one of the BBC apprenticeship schemes. She says that technical skills come with time and the skills you really need are:
- good team building skills
- good communication skills
- resilience
- being able to adapt to changing environments
Matilda says that, although it's a male-dominated field, women shouldn't be disheartened and if it's a career that appeals to them they should just go for it!
Find out more about Matilda's career journey and her role with Radio 3.
What to expect if you want to be an engineer
- How many people work in the engineering sector?
- What can you earn in different roles?
- What routes can you take to get in?
- Is the demand for engineers expected to grow in the future?
Watch the film to find out the answers to these questions, and much more!
Other resources
- See what type of engineering role might suit you with the meet the future you quiz
- Find out more about the different areas of engineering with this guide from Tomorrow's Engineers
- Learn more about roles in engineering with the National Careers Service explore careers tool
- Discover a practical new way to study via T-levels (England-only).
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
Work experience in your area
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Tips and advice
Help with interviews, writing a CV and all things work experience related.
How to become an engineer. collection
Find out more about the engineering sector and how those currently working in it got their foot in the door.
Jobs at music festivals and in the music industry
Find out about people working in the music industry and at festivals like BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, Glastonbury and Blue Dot festival.
Tom: DJ. video
Tom performed at Radio 1's Big Weekend.
