Growing up I always wanted to be a lead character or have a role in front of the camera,  but as I matured I’ve become way more interested in the behind the scenes parts of production; that’s where content creation seemed to merge the two of my interests into one and inspires me to want to do more.

Taking part in Apprentice Nation has provided me with opportunities to interact with people in my field of interest. In addition, the online lessons have taught me a lot about building myself up mentally in order to be the best possible candidate for any job or life opportunity that might come my way. Apprentice Nation has helped me to see more clearly where I want to be 5-10 years down the line.

A turning point in my mindset was during my mentor session with radio and TV presenter and entrepreneur, Remel London. Listening to her story made me realise that I should always aim for more; never be satisfied with a set position when there is a whole world of opportunities available.

Since being a member of Apprentice Nation and the Youth Advisors Network (YAN), I’ve started scriptwriting for some short skits and dramas that I want to film once Covid dies down. I’ve also been able to assemble a small production team thanks to the advice given to me during my sessions.

How has 2020 and the impact of COVID changed your perspective on your career and future?

2020 was a year of adaptation for me; I had to get around the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to leave my house to record or just to have link ups with friends. I decided to use this time to do some research and Apprentice Nation really helped me to make the most of my time. I was able to have 1 on 1 interviews with the likes of Evie Buckley (Digital Commissioning Executive @ Channel 4) and Remel London (TV & Radio Presenter and Host @ Capital XTRA, Sky TV, The Mainstream). They helped me to understand how Covid has affected them too and how they were managing it. They gave me the confidence to believe that my future will be great. As Remel said; “Every disappointment is a blessing!”

How has your confidence ever got in the way of going for an opportunity or pursuing a goal?

My confidence wasn’t always as tough as it is now. I’ve had times when I lacked confidence due to caring about the thoughts and views of other people. Eventually, you come to a realisation that it’s all in your head; nobody knows what the other person is thinking. Just being yourself and believing in yourself is enough for you to conquer any fears and excel in confidence. Now, I always try to believe that I can be my own biggest motivator. It’s always hard to find the time to get creative; perseverance has been a key factor for me – that and believing that everyone’s time will come. 

If your lifestyle could be represented in music, what would it be and why?

The artist and song that best represents me is Dave – Hangman. This song is a wake up call to really take a step back and see your environment for what it is. Dave as an artist is known for being “woke”, especially for his age and that’s mainly due to his upbringing. Instead of him following the typical stereotype, he aims to bring light into the world and produce music that is really just a reflection of the life we live. I am able to relate to a lot of the lyrics in this song such as “The first to the motives, and last to the meetings” meaning everybody is ready to be there when you celebrating wanting to be the first to congratulate, but when it comes to the time to work for those moments the room suddenly feels empty.

How has your confidence ever got in the way of going for an opportunity or pursuing a goal?

When I was in Year 12, I had the opportunity to go on a four-week volunteering trip to Peru. The thought of spending a month away from home, on the other side of the world, absolutely terrified me! So many doubts went through my head such as not knowing many people on the trip, never having been away from home for longer than a week before, and being so far away from my family. I explained my worries to a teacher and she completely changed my mind. She convinced me that we were all in the same boat, and it was the perfect opportunity to grow my self-confidence (which was something I lacked). Now, two and half years later, I can honestly say that going to Peru was the best decision, and I am so grateful I got to experience that opportunity. 

Joseph’s top tips for creatives:

• If you’re feeling demotivated, look elsewhere for inspiration. For me, that’s listening to music that might match my mood or be the complete opposite, depending on what I want to achieve! I also like to take some time out and watch Netflix.
  
• Don’t be afraid to DM public figures who might be able to attract awareness to your brand. Remember, you can enhance their brand too!
  
• If you start to feel resentful of your work or unsure of yourself, that’s the time for self reflection. It’s always best to take a step back and to try and envision the bigger picture. If you’re creative, that might mean adjusting your content or aiming for a different approach with your audience.  
  
• Don’t be afraid to cut off any toxic friendships that aren’t helping you to progress. You’ll quickly find new accomplices and you can start helping each other out.