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Adam Powney

Adam is a social media manager for for the armed forces and talks about how Solent helped him gain the skills needed for his work.

How did university prepare you for your career?

University prepared me for my career by pushing me into gaining work experience and surrounding myself with like-minded professionals. You learn a huge amount, not only about the industry but also about yourself and the skills you can transfer into other avenues.

What are you doing now and what does it involve?

After two years of broadcasting in Wiltshire and the Falklands Islands with our armed forces, I moved across to the social media team to become a social media manager. This role is in two parts. The first is managing the organisation’s social media, including the social media pages for all radio stations. The second is to coach on the first-ever free 12-week social media course – #SMSpouses – for the spouses and partners of our British armed forces.

Headshot of Adam Powney

My favourite Solent memory has to be when I produced my second-year radio project, ‘A Young Pilot’, and got the opportunity to go flying multiple times.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The thing I most enjoy is the ability to change lives. Not only do we connect, inform, entertain and champion our armed forces, but we also change the lives of their families too. I have always had a passion for content creation and education, so this role marries the two perfectly. Those we educate use the course to either enhance their business or learn skills to be able to take on new, work-from-home jobs. Our community moves around the forces world with little job stability, so we give them the tools to take ownership of their own careers.

What’s been your greatest achievement in your career so far?

My greatest achievements have been the honour to broadcast from multiple red carpets, and also to do the breakfast show 8,000 miles away, in the Falkland Islands.

What tips would you give to someone wanting a career in your industry?

Say yes – then learn how to do it (within reason).

Don’t waste an opportunity – make the most of it.

Be passionate and love what you do.

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