Trevor Phillips OBE

Working in Television If a Black person wanted to work in TV, first of all, I would say, 'Are you sure?'. And a way of making sure that you are sure is to say to yourself, 'Why?'. And if your reasons are to do with the media, you know, it's powerful, it's influential and all the rest of it, don't do it. Because there are all sorts of arguments about how true that is. You should only actually enter a profession because it gives you the opportunity to do something you want to do. Don't become involved with it because you think it will bring about social change or something.

Once you've decided that it's because it's what you want to do, think about what it is about television that gives you that opportunity. Is it because you are technically minded and you love the idea of dealing with machines? In which case, good! Be a technician, be an editor.

Is it because you have ideas you want to get across? In which case, fine. Be a writer. Is it because you wake up every day curious about the world and you want to share your curiosity, in which case, be a reporter. Is it because you want to lead big teams? Then aim to be a producer.

Once you've decided what you want to do, there are various routes. The main thing is, first of all, think about what it is you want to do. The people who don't get into television are the people who say, 'I want to be in television'. You have to know what it is you want to do.