Zoe graduated from MYP spring 2013, she is an 24 year old from Leeds.  She tells her journey here.

''Since finishing university, I had been working in a coffee shop for almost 3 years. I was interested in working in comedy and had been doing various internships whilst applying for jobs, but because I was working full time I wasn't really getting anywhere and I was starting to feel like I was stuck in a rut. When I saw the advert for MAMA Youth Project, offering training to work in television, I thought this might be a way to change my situation.

I was very lucky to get a place on the project and spend three months there. MYP has a genuine interest in helping young people change their lives and their employment statistics speak for themselves, they are genuinely dedicated to finding jobs for their trainees.

My three months at MYP weren't easy, I was there Monday to Friday and working at the coffee shop Saturday and Sunday, so I only had about 3 days off in three months, but it was completely worth it! I learned so many new skills. I was in the comedy team, which matched my interests and I learned everything from booking talent and locations, to writing health and safety paperwork, call sheets and actually going out and producing my own item. Getting to produce something from start to finish was one of the most rewarding (and stressful!) things I've ever done. The rest of the trainees were amazing, I've made some really great friends and I'm really proud of the show we made together. It was a pleasure to work with Bob and Anca, the producers of the show, and I find it incredible that they were always so calm and supportive even when we had deadlines fast approaching!

After the training ended I got a work placement at the BBC in the comedy development department, which taught me a lot more about the structure of television and I met loads of new people. I also got to leave the office and go on a shoot in a studio, which was very exciting. About a month later Anca called me to say that a position had become available in the BBC comedy department for a runner and that they would like to see me for an interview. I ended up getting the job. I was so happy, it was such a big step for me and I feel like I have finally made a start in getting the career I wanted.  

I really feel that because of the skills I had gained at MAMA Youth Project I was able to hit the ground running. For example I was able to write a call-sheet for a shoot and didn't have to be taught from the beginning. These sorts of practical skills that MYP teach are invaluable and are exactly what employers in the industry are looking for.

Basically I have now left a dead-end job and got into an exciting environment that I have always wanted to work in. I can't thank everyone I met at MYP and the BBC enough for this!'' - November 2013