Our employee stories: Sam

Apprentice job title: Consumer Products

I started off doing work experience for MTV. The initial attraction to working for Paramount was the fact that I’d be working for MTV! MTV was a channel and brand I loved, and I grew up watching the shows.

Shortly after my work experience placement, I became one of the first apprentices the company ever had. Shortly after, a job came up as a Label Assistant in the Talent and Music Team. Since starting, I’ve worked in different departments within the company and eventually interviewed for a role within Consumer Products. I’ve been in Consumer Products ever since, going from Coordinator to Manager.

I will keep climbing the ranks and seeing how far I can go within licensing.

No one day is the same. You’re keeping up with consumer trends and ensuring you’re on top of what consumers want in a fast-paced world; we’re looking into artificial intelligence and new technologies, seeing how toys have been adapted from when I was younger to now.

We live in a world full of exciting and innovative products, and seeing a product you’ve worked on from start to finish end up being a hit with kids is a really cool thing to be a part of.

Our employee stories: Sophia

Apprentice job title: Talent Acquisition and DE&I

I started as an intern working across both our diversity and inclusion and talent acquisition departments. I was drawn to the role as I am hugely passionate about diversity and inclusion, and I love working for a company that embodies the strapline #BeYouBelong. 

Paramount encourages its employees so they can all thrive and feel included at work, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, gender and physical and mental ability. 

My internship involved working on social media strategy and engaging with our Employee Resource Groups to create key events, initiatives and activities around important times of the year such as Pride and Black History Month. 

I was also able to influence and inform on company policy to ensure we create an inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work. I was given a lot of support and guidance from my manager as soon as I started, and I love working with such an encouraging team who are passionate about inclusion in all its forms. 

As a coordinator now, I am more able to help our Employee Resource Groups and our external partners connect so we can ensure we have a continuous pipeline of individuals from a variety of backgrounds. My highlight of working at Paramount has been my involvement in Inclusion Week for the past two years. 

We have invited a range of thought-provoking and knowledgeable speakers discussing everything from Autism Awareness to Trans-rights to mental health awareness and had great conversations with employees afterwards regarding their key takeaways and learning. 

I would recommend anyone interested in media to apply for the apprenticeship scheme; it’s a great way to get your foot in the door and gain relevant experience. 

Our employee stories: Hannah

Apprentice job title: Nickelodeon Social Design

Getting the opportunity to work at Paramount has been an absolute dream come true! As a little girl, I remember dreaming of one day having a job where I could combine two of the things I loved; art and film/entertainment. Now getting to finally have a job that encompasses both has been the greatest gift ever!

My current role here at Paramount is working alongside the Nickelodeon Social team as a Graphic Designer. On our social team, we create content for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok — all the social platforms.

We get to work closely with our Design Manager and Art Director, tailoring each piece specifically for its intended purpose. Each social post we create is crafted to help connect kids, teens, and families through the Nickelodeon shows and content.

Since the pandemic, a typical day for me now is working from home, which has been the biggest plus!  I work a lot in Adobe Photoshop to create new and exciting content to help capture our audience’s attention. The majority of what I do is combining content from the Nick shows and then repurposing it creatively for the social pages.

The designers at Nick typically do a little of everything, some of us are great photographers and shoot crafts for Nick Jr, and other times we will create fantastic motion graphics as well. Once a design is approved by our Art Director, the Design Manager will then send it through another round of approvals from the Nick producers until it is finally ready to appear on the socials. The Nick team has been extraordinarily kind and welcoming to me as I have transitioned here to the team. Everyone is so kind and creative; it makes the dream job here even more exciting to come to work every day.

During my apprenticeship, I have learned the importance of giving 110% in the work you do each day. Giving your all, no matter what position you’re in, will eventually help propel you to where you eventually wish to be in the future.

In school, I truly tried to see each project that I was given as an opportunity to show future companies what I was capable of because I knew eventually, one day, they might be able to look at my work! I think it’s so important to do your best with what you’re given no matter where you are – an internship, apprenticeship, school, work, etc. I genuinely believe showing up to work ready to learn and do your best will be the kind of attitude that will eventually help get you where you need to be.

Getting the opportunity to work at Paramount has been a complete dream! My schooling and apprenticeship significantly helped me get where I am today. I hope to anyone reading, it can be a reminder that hard work, humility, and eagerness to learn will eventually open the doors for you as you step into your dream career.