Here's how you can acquire new skills by volunteering in media production projects.

In addition to all the great online resources for finding work and projects, there are a huge variety of events, conferences and networking sessions that take place across most cities in the country at different times of the year. These are a great opportunity to make an impression and build your network of contacts within the industry. Crucially, don’t forget the power of having a friendly and fun personality. Often times in media production you’ll be working with other individuals for long periods of time and so you want to inspire trust that you’ll contribute a positive energy to the dynamic.

If you’re worried that you may not have the skill set required for a particular role, there are so many great ways to learn and practice with online resources. There is a tutorial for pretty much every aspect of Adobe Premier Pro and Photoshop on YouTube, as well as dedicated learning sites such as Bring Your Own Laptop that offer streamlined online courses for a small monthly subscription.

The best way that I have found myself to grow is by getting actively stuck in. Don't forget to listen and learn. Ask a million questions to the right people, they will become actively engaged in your growth. Passion finds and fuels passion.

To echo on the above, the worst thing you can do in any new work opportunity is to sit back and do the bare minimum required in that role. Be proactive, consider the needs and objectives of others in the team and seek to apply yourself in a useful way. Don’t be scared to ask “How can I help” in any situation. The confidence to put yourself forward in this way consistently will build your reputation over time.

Networking can seem intimidating at first but it really is a learnable skill. The easiest way to strike up a conversation with another person is to offer a compliment, either on a piece of work you know they’ve been involved or something else you’ve noticed. See someone standing alone at a networking event? Give them a smile and wander over to them. You’d be surprised how many people are in the same boat as you and are waiting for an opportunity to connect with others.

One of my most beneficial experiences of networking was at a talk hosted by FF:W. I met several experts in my field and each of them were very keen in hearing what I had to say, when they got the moment to speak with me. This talk meant that I met a handful of people within a completely new city, my network grew and I even ended up joining a few groups that are actively involved in growing my field of work with intention to be inclusive to new members and those from undervalued backgrounds.

Reflecting on your work can speed up your personal growth rapidly and therein helping you grow career wise. If you don't check in and see how far you have come then it becomes very hard to realise what your next steps may be.