Radio One presenter inspires students
Hard work has enabled a Lincolnshire woman to make her way in the music industry – and she encouraged others to do likewise at the Academy during National Careers Week.
Daryl Jenkins, originally from Skegness, has just landed a guest slot on BBC Radio One's early breakfast show, handing over to Greg James at 7am every Friday during March.
A packed lecture theatre enjoyed an online presentation from the 27-year-old Daryl Jenkins, whose fulltime job is marketing manager at Newcastle's iconic music venue the O2 City Hall.
Daryl encouraged students to follow their dreams.
"If you don't ask, you don't get - send that email," she told them.
One thing she had learned was that skills were transferable from one industry to another.
"Create as many of your own opportunities as you can and be brave."
She had built up social media accounts on the music scene in Newcastle and had also joined the university's radio society.
She decided to sign up for a one-month Open University introduction to marketing module during the pandemic.
It led to a job as a marketing coordinator for engineering apprenticeships at a college but she continued building experience in music, starting a weekly radio show for a community station she still presents.
She landed a role that saw her creating content for venues, interviewing artists and marketing gigs and large scale events.
Now, she is marketing manager for Newcastle's historic O2 City Hall, a venue that regularly plays host to top artists.
"I've had a lot of fun but I've also put in a lot of graft," she told her attentive audience.
Her initial break into Radio One followed by an open call-out by the station in 2024.
"It was a presenters' scheme and you had to upload an audio demo of three to five minutes. They were looking for new presenters to cover over Christmas.
"It was cool to be selected. I did a couple of shows presenting indie music."
She was nervous but looking forward to sitting in the presenter's chair at the station during March.
Her talk provoked various questions from interested students before she was thanked by Performing Arts teacher Ryan Bridges, a friend of Daryl's from their time together at Skegness Grammar School's sixth form.
Careers Lead Laura Fuller, who has organised a host of events at Waltham Toll Bar Academy to mark National Careers Week, thanked Ryan and Daryl for her time.
"She's an impressive, inspirational young women who had a fabulous story to tell our students," she said.
"We wish her well with her slot on Radio One this Friday and for the rest of the month. She was highly engaging and students loved her social media reels.
"Daryl's not far away from here so is also relatable and an example of what can be achieved by working hard and making the most of opportunities."
