Keith Peries
Keith Peries, TV Director, BBC
"When I starting thinking about university I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do as a career and I liked the idea of doing a combined course to keep my options open."I knew I wanted to do something linked with media and Sunderland proved to be the perfect place for me. It helped me to sample such a variety of roles, from directing and presenting to camerawork and editing, so I could decide for the first time exactly what I wanted to do.
"I learned so much while at university - from people skills and increased self-confidence to how to carry out a range of media roles - all of which have helped me in my career. I couldn't have hoped for better equipment to learn on too and the editing suites were amazing - it made for an easy transition to working in the industry.
"After graduating, I moved back to London and got a part-time job in retail to earn some money while I cut my teeth on working for free being a runner for a company making short films. It was hard work but the experience was valuable and helped me to start to build my network of contacts and land my next job as a production assistant for a company making corporate films.
"Since then I have had a variety of jobs which has included working for BBC Wales, ITV Meridian, ITV Thames, ITV Sport, This Morning and I'm currently a director on the BBC's MOTD Kickabout and BBC's Newsround.
"Undoubtedly my time at the University of Sunderland has helped me get to where I am today and shape the person that I am.
"I had a fantastic time at Sunderland and really did learn a lot about myself and what I wanted to do as a career."
Keith Peries, BA/BSc (Hons) Media and Business Studies (combined), TV Director, BBC, London
