LO2 - Evaluating resources

Portfolio Resources

The first place I would go to get resources for my portfolio are my blogs for the Creative Digital Media course. I have completed multiple relevant units that I would be able to use for my portfolio, including a magazine unit, graphic design, web design and a short film to name a few.
I also have the photographs I have taken in my spare time that I would be able to use in a portfolio. I have come a long way with my photography skills, and hopefully to be able to show my use of it in my spare time would be a good quality to see in a portfolio.
If I were to include everything that could be applicable to future opportunities, I could even include my art work and creative writing work. These show in more subtle ways the skills that I would need to be able to find success in the media industry.

Finance

If I chose to go to university, I would need to apply for student finance to support myself financially before I go. From the opportunities researched in LO1, it is fairly obvious that in order to pursue this career course I would need to study away from home. For living away from home, the maintenance loan for the 2017-2018 academic year can be up to £8,430, and tuition fee loans up to £9,250.
If I pursued an apprenticeship, I would be earning apprenticeship wages as a minimum, which is £3.50 per hour. This would be difficult to earn enough for a living, but if I was living at home it would be enough to support myself financially.
If I decided to enter the industry straight away, it would be very likely that I would get a low-paying job to begin with. The minimum wage for under-21 year olds is £5.60. I would earn considerably more with a full-time job as opposed to a part-time job.

Contacts and Networking

Through the UTC, I have made many contacts in the media industry through employer events. I have presented pitches to people from the media industry, for example presenting to Nick Bax during the graphic design unit.
Events in Sheffield would help me to expand the number of contacts in the media industry. Examples of events I could be involved in include Docfest, music festivals and events hosted at the galleries. Volunteering with camera work at these events would allow me to gain some contacts, and this could come in useful in the future.

Equipment

With most degrees and apprenticeships, equipment would be provided by the employer/university. However, if I decided to go straight into the industry, I would need to find my own equipment. The best equipment is also the most expensive, so I would have to choose carefully from equipment I could afford.
The most obvious piece of equipment I would need for wildlife photography would be a telephoto zoom lens and a DSLR. Here is a list of telephoto lenses that would be suitable for a Canon DSLR.
For filming, I would need to save up quite a lot as good camcorders are significantly more expensive than other cameras. One example of a good camcorder is the Sony XDCam PXW-Z100. This camcorder is portable, has a diverse range of features and is capable of shooting in 4K quality.
For industry-standard DSLR cameras, most wildlife photographers use large, bulky telephoto lenses. These are heavy, and when using a tripod, throw of the balance so that the tripod isn't as stable as it should be. This is why many photographers use a gimbal head. This balances the weight of the lens on the tripod.
Another essential for professional wildlife photography is a camouflage lens and camera cover, such as the ones listed here. These make the camera less visible to the subject, so it is less likely to flee.
Another piece of equipment that, while isn't essential, will make wildlife photography considerably easier is a teleconverter. This piece of equipment allows the photographer to gain that little bit more reach with the zoom of the camera, without the added bulk of a larger, heavier lens. It makes the practice more accessible, as the photographer won't have to get so close to the subject and risk it being spooked and fleeing.
Another technique to prevent the subject from running away would be to use a remote shutter. These allow the photographer to set up the camera closer to a location that a shyer subject visits frequently, and take pictures from further away so as to not scare the subject away. However, some downsides to using this piece of equipment include not being able to move the camera, and not being able to adjust the camera's settings. 
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis

I feel that I have an element of creativity and originality that will make me stand out in the industry. For a subject that interests me, I am very motivated to progress and learn more. These are qualities that will help me in both an academic and professional sense in the pursuit of this field. I think I am quite articulate with my writing, which will help when pursuing any academic, vocational and professional goals.
My main weakness is my time-keeping and organisation skills. I find it difficult to stick to a schedule, which might hold me back in the future. This is a weakness I can work on and hopefully improve on as I move forward. I am also a naturally quiet person, so when working in a team, find it difficult to voice my opinions and ideas in confidence. As I move forward, my confidence will hopefully grow, allowing me to improve on this weakness.
There are many opportunities in this field, and getting an offer to study at the University of Cumbria is one opportunity that would help me to move towards a career in this field. Nationally, there are apprenticeships and jobs that would give me a start into the industry. Studying a course in this field at university would also give me an opportunity to showcase my work as a student.
A threat that may hold me back from pursuing this field is how specific it is. The availability of jobs fluctuates a lot, and any openings are taken quickly - there are many people with the same aspirations, and not enough jobs for easy pickings. It is a competitive industry, and I will have to work on my confidence before I am comfortable entering into the industry in a professional sense.