Communication from Miss Armstrong

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

14 hours ago

Name: Jonathan McBride

Year I left ERGS: 2023

A’ Level Subjects: Digital Technology, Moving Image Arts, Performing Arts (Stage Management), German (AS Level)

Post School Pathway: Studying BA Broadcast Production at Queen’s University Belfast

Current Role: Broadcast Engineer at Bauer Media Audio NI (owners of Cool FM, Downtown Radio and Downtown Country) – based in Belfast

Since coming to university, I have been involved in just about everything media-based. I stage managed and assistant directed a 10-night run of Shrek: The Musical in the Ardhowen Theatre, alongside doing sound and lighting for multiple smaller plays in QUB with the Players’ Society.

My passion soon switched to radio, however, with me joining Queen’s Radio (Northern Ireland’s only student radio station) in my second week of university. I spent two years as Head of Programming and Scheduling, alongside spending many months as Head of Technology and Head of Online, and I have served as Station Manager for the past year.

I also took to the mic, hosting my own show on Belfast community station Blast106, four nights a week over 10 months. My degree has given me the opportunity to create stories and report on everything from red squirrels to small-batch coffee roasting and the decline of high streets in Northern Ireland.

I have been working closely with U105 Radio for the past year, acting as an engineer in the office and at events and outside broadcasts such as the Balmoral Show and Belfast Children’s Festival, getting to meet so many people and having a ball!

I have also had the opportunity to attend many conferences across the UK and Ireland, where I have met industry professionals and like-minded students who are now friends. Through a contact I made at one of these conferences, I somehow ended up securing a full-time post as a Broadcast Engineer with Downtown Radio.

Naturally, this journey all started at ERGS, where I was able to build my confidence, interpersonal skills and teamwork skills, all of which have been key in my journey. My sincere thanks go to the wonderful staff and support at ERGS for setting me up so well as I head into the industry! ... See MoreSee Less