Nik is a team lead at Spotify where he runs a team of engineers working on new and existing formats for the Spotify app.
What University did you go to and what subject did you study?
I went to Exeter University for my undergrad and studied “IT Management for Business”, but I must say that Student Media probably took more of my time than studying for my degree.
When I started work, I also started a part-time masters course while working full-time and just having moved to London, which wasn’t great for my social life.. so I stopped that after I had enough credits for a postgraduate certificate and started making the most of living in London.
What Student TV Station were you a part of?
I was part of XTV! Student TV wasn’t really something I was aware of much before uni, and I even looked into studying TV or similar at specialist colleges instead.
Why did you choose to get involved with Student TV?
TV has always been something I was interested in - the journalism, the tech aspects, the thrill and adrenaline of live events. One of my first days I saw somebody walk around campus with an “XTV Online” gilet and that was all it really took for me.
What was the highlight of your time involved with Student TV?
A single highlight is going to be hard to name. There were many: we hosted NaSTA40; we got a tour around Television Centre the week it closed; we got work experience for half a dozen members on ITV drama Broadchurch; we completely revamped live broadcasts with some bonkers projects…I could go on!
How has Student TV helped you in your professional life?
I do not think I would’ve gotten my first job, or even a few other interviews had it not been for my student TV experience. They were at the BBC, so definitely related. I’ve also met people through student TV who I ended up working with, who have become invaluable connections and to a large part great friends!
What did you do after graduating?
I applied to a few jobs in my final year, mostly grad schemes and the like. I moved to England from abroad without any family here, so I didn’t think I had a future in TV right there and then without a car, or a family place to crash at rent free for a few months. Luckily I got on the BBC’s (at the time called) Digital Media Graduate Scheme, but not after a few other failed interviews, including at the BBC for other schemes.
What do you do now?
I’ve recently left the BBC after 7 years to start a new role at Spotify; working on podcasts. I don’t have the thrill of walking into the newsroom every morning, but I’m still “in the media”, and the things we work on are way closer to what I did at the BBC than I’d have thought. It’s good to have some variety, and while I miss the BBC, it’s an exciting new journey for me.
What's been a highlight of your career so far?
I wouldn’t call this part of my career, yet my flatmate was most impressed by the day I spent working on a shoot with Little Mix, just before they went down to three.
What would you say to someone who is currently part of a NaSTA Station and is due to graduate soon?
Make connections! Write to people in the industry, not even just to look for a job, but to ask for advice, to compliment, to ask about a project. Also stay in touch with your fellow student TV friends, at your own station or others. It’s incredible how many you will cross paths again if you’re even vaguely working in the industry!
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