Welcome 2013...

Things have been hectic at the DiVA HQ, I’ve starred in my first movie (lol), organized and attended several events, our team has grown, new apprentices have joined and we’re on the hunt for a new office! Though I enjoyed my Christmas break it’s nice to get back to work. 

So, important things first – my acting debut. I starred in a video showcasing the experiences of apprentices.  The video was commissioned by the National Apprenticeship Service and has gone viral. There was a write up in the Evening Standard and my local press is interested in doing a piece on me, their local star!  You can view the video here. 

Team DiVA have grown. Annette Telesford has joined as our Apprenticeship Training Coordinator. We've also helped four young people secure apprenticeships in Design and Creative and Digital Media. It's lovely to see new faces and watch the team and business expand. Though our newfound numbers have us playing musical chairs in the office. We need to find a bigger office, sharpish. Get on it Bryony :). 

Moving on, the lead DiVA (Arit Eminue) has been sharing her words of wisdom this month. She spoke at an event called 'Be Your Own Boss' where she gave her top tips on building your business and dispelled the myths of multi-tasking. The turn out was great; her talk was really informative and engaging. I had made an awesome slideshow to go with it; unfortunately due to technical difficulties no one saw it. :( I'll save it for next time. 

Doug Richards, Arit Eminue and Benedict Hazan

We had another event, slightly different to the previous, called 'The Apprentice' open to start-ups interested in taking on apprentices or interns. Chaired by Doug Richards (ex-Dragon's Den judge, serious moneymaker& Founder of School for Start-Ups) Arit was joined by Benedict Hazan (Head of Innovation, Inspiring Interns) Bryony also said a few words. All  speakers thoroughly explained what apprenticeships and internships were, how they could benefit a start up business and shared their opinions (this time my slideshow was seen :). It was held at The Hospital club in Covent Garden; it was a brilliant venue. 


On to other news, I represented DiVA at a meeting at BAFTA along with a line up of senior executives across film and TV at BAFTA. The aim of the meeting was to brainstorm innovative ways to let young people know about the different job roles in films so they can make informed decisions about the education route they wish to take.  Other topics included ideas on helping graduates secure employment that did not necessarily include working for free. 

I found this meeting interesting, being someone currently going through the process of deciding which career path to take. It was a brilliant opportunity to network and be involved in a discussion that has great relevance to myself. 

So what’s next? 

Well, we have an event next week for businesses in Hackney looking to take on apprentices.  We’re also planning events for National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) which takes place on the 11th-15th March. The purpose is to raise the profile of apprenticeships with employers and young people. 

So far I’ll be flying the DiVA flag at the Woolwich Job Centre Apprenticeship Day.  Most likely we’ll be doing a live Q&A on twitter – so if there’s a topic you’re interested in discussing let me know. 

I’ve got a fair bit of training lined up to.  Arit encouraged me to attend two marketing courses one of which focuses purely on Social Media Marketing.  I'm really looking forward to it; it will give me the opportunity to build on the skills I have been developing over the past months. I’m also back at College during the week of 18^th Feb.  Yay! I really enjoy the learning aspect of my apprenticeship. There's always some fresh and exciting element being added, making it a lot more interactive and engaging. Last time we visited IPC media who publish magazines such as Marie Claire and Look (my favourite). The Marketing Director from Revolver Entertainment also came to see us and delivered a masterclass on the Marketing Campaign for Plan B’s directorial debut 'Ill Manner's'. 

Finally, I’m DESPERATELY trying to get Arit to let me attend London Fashion Week. I can go in so far as I can get an interview with a designer for our DiVA Inspire brand.  Any advice or contacts – please send my way! 

4 months into my apprenticeship, I love it, I’m learning something new everyday and building vital skills that will help me prosper in the future.

Can't really complain can I? 

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website

DiVA's New Marketing Apprentice- Selene Shaw

First things first, let me introduce myself to you all. I'm Selene Shaw DiVAs new Marketing Apprentice. (I still can't get use to saying that).  It's the 1st week of my new job and I must say I'm enjoying it. Before I begin talking about how much I love my new job let me start with how I got here.

I've always been a creative person but have never really known what I wanted to do career wise. Even though I studied creative subjects at GCSE, due to an unhealthy liking to CSI, I conjured up the idea that being a Forensic Scientist was the job for me. Don't get me wrong I love science but this was definitely not one of my greatest decisions. Anyhow, after 3 excruciating years studying A-Levels, I managed to achieve grades that would secure me a place at University.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to get my firm offer and was accepted into Brunel University to study Media and Communications. I cannot explain to you how happy I was; after all those years studying subjects that I didn't want to do I was finally able to learn something I was interested in.

I didn't like my course.

Let me clarify, I absolutely loved University; it was an amazing experience but I just couldn't justify spending an obscene amount of money studying something I didn't enjoy. I had already gone through that with my A-Levels; so I made one of the scariest decisions of my life, and decided to leave University after my first year.

Instantly, I went into panic mode; no one will hire me without a degree! What am I going to do now? I'm going to spend the rest of my life flipping burgers! (Yes, I can be a bit of a drama queen).

After some INTENSE research, I discovered Apprenticeships. The idea of learning on the job seemed perfect for me, so I started applying. It took 5 months for me to hear back from anyone.  To be honest, when I got the phone call, I couldn't even remember which company it was I applied for, so after some strategic waffling, I found out it was DiVA inviting me to an interview with 20th Century Fox; who distribute films such as Prometheus.

I was overwhelmed; I said to myself:-

 "Yes, this is it? This is my big break!"

So I went shopping, bought a new blazer and did some major research about them. I was so ready for that interview.

I didn't get the job.

DiVA continued giving me advice, setting up interviews. I continued not getting the job.

When I saw that DiVA were offering a vacancy to work as a Marketing Apprentice within their offices, I jumped at the opportunity, and luckily for me, I was offered the job.

Here I am, 9 months later, finally doing something that suits me. We're a really small team  and a warm, friendly environment to work in. I this on Monday and spent the day updating Twitter and FaceBook via Hoot Suite; a social media programming tool I had never even heard of let alone used before. After a process of clicking buttons and hoping for the best I’ve managed to get the hang of it. I’ve also been uploading new jobs to the website, re-designing the new apprenticeship blog and attended a networking event at Channel 4 where I got to meet a fellow apprentices.

I'm looking forward to starting my Video Production modules because video is something I'm really interested in. Plus my office is based in Oxford Circus, which is somewhere I've always wanted to work (not because of the shops or anything, lol).

I will be regularly updating this blog letting you all know the adventures I get up to and what an apprenticeship is really like. You never know, if you like what you hear, it may be you filling out those applications soon.

Until next time...

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website