Jameel Shariff

There’s the stigma that English and Drama aren’t “real” subjects, but this is far from the truth! They have a huge impact in our day-to-day lives and help to express creativity. English and Drama helps to think about the processes involved in creating different forms of entertainment. We all watch TV, films, go to theatre, read books… but how do you write the best script and then transform it into a film, or how do you warm-up your voice ready to perform? People in creative roles consider these things every day. My degree helped me think along these lines, whether it was through theory or practice.

English and Drama also preps you to work in fields outside of the creative industries. Everyone always talks about these subjects having “transferrable skills” which is very true because you learn so many different things, from Media modules to Shakespeare. It’s a very flexible degree and you can choose modules based on your interests. This means you’re never limited to just one career and have lots of options for life, which is the best thing about an English and Drama degree.

Post 16 Education: A Levels Drama and Theatre Studies, Religious Studies, English Language and Literature

Higher Education: BA English and Drama

Why did you choose to study English and Drama?

I wanted to study Drama because I loved the creativity involved in putting a live production together. It wasn’t just about acting, it was everything in between. At school, I used to get so excited by seeing a spotlight on stage and I just knew I wanted to do this on a much bigger scale at uni, it was a no brainer!

I chose to study English too because I wasn’t too sure of what I wanted to pursue as a career, but English and Drama went well together and I knew they’d give me plenty of transferrable skills.

Jameel’s experience as a student

As cliché as it sounds, university was LIFE CHANGING! In my second year, I got the opportunity to live and study in Australia for six months, which is something I never thought I’d do. Uni taught me things beyond my degree - it enabled me to become more openminded.

I was also part of LSU Media and Ethnic Minorities Network and the experiences I gained through these societies helped me to achieve a career in Media. It’s crazy because I didn’t realise how much of an impact things outside of my course would have, which just goes to show that the uni experience is much more than a degree.

Jameel’s Career

I've recently finished an internship at the BBC, which is all about learning and experiencing different roles in TV production. I've since worked as a Researcher on The Voice Kids with ITV and I'm always on the lookout for new opportunities, as a career in Media usually means having lots of short-term jobs throughout the year.

I’ve mainly worked across BBC Three, Countryfile and DIY SOS. I’ve also done some work experience at 1Xtra, EastEnders and BBC Stories!

I achieved the job through an incredible organisation called Creative Access. They’re all about making positive changes in society by recruiting people who are under-represented in the creative industries. My application involved submitting a tailored CV and cover letter, a phone interview with Creative Access, and then finally an in-person panel interview at the BBC.