โYou just have to be yourself. I feel like a lot of people in radio will try and be like someone they hear but at the end of the day, everyone wants new personalities coming through, people who take risks and do their own thing.โ
That is the message former University of Sunderland student Jack Hellier has for anyone trying to break into radio.
The 23-year-old studied a Broadcast Media Production degree before going on to graduate with a Masters in Radio in September last year.
Now, the hard work is paying off as Jack has landed his dream role presenting for In-Demand Radio in his home city of Liverpool.
โItโs the first full-time presenter role Iโve had,โ he said.
โFor me itโs the best possible scenario. My goal was to always come back to the North West, but a lot of opportunities were leaving Liverpool and going to places like Manchester or down to London.
โThen In Demand came along and I couldnโt have asked for a better station.โ
Jack spent many years honing his talents on University-based radio station Spark, presenting a dance show every Saturday night for a year then a day-time show once a week for two years.
Now the voice of In Demandโs early breakfast show, Jack says he owes his success to Sunderland.
He said: โIt comes down to the facilities and the guidance that weโre given in comparison to other universities. Weโre very spoilt in what weโve got.ย
โThe studios at Sunderland are on the next level and I donโt think youโre going to get that at any other university.
โWe visited other student radio universities and theyโd have one little room dedicated to it and then at Sunderland thereโs a whole building.โ
Richard Berry, Senior Lecturer in Radio at the University of Sunderland, said: โItโs great to see Jack being picked up by this new station.
โWe know from working with him that he loves his home city, so it must be a genuine thrill for him being on the radio in Liverpool and the North West.
โJack made some great radio in Sunderland and itโs going to be great to see him progress from here.โ
What does the future hold for Jack?
โIn all honesty, I think Iโve struck gold with In Demand,โ he said.
โYou donโt get many stations like it that play music people actually want to hear and thatโs really important.
โTheyโve put a lot of trust in me and let me do my own thing, so as long as itโs there I can see my future with In Demand.
โIโm just very grateful to have a supportive family, girlfriend and university behind me.โ
