Kathryn Wolfe, Course Leader in Television Production at the University, speaking at the annual event said: “It’s only 7.30 and we’ve already got nearly 100 people here. It’s a great mix of TV industry folk, successful students and successful alumni. Jobs are being passed around.

“I’d like to think at the University of Bedfordshire we’ve produced students who are confident enough to go up to anyone in that room, introduce themselves and start lining up jobs.

“They have the skills we’ve taught them and they know how to market themselves in the big wide world.”

Industry professionals attending the event included: Sarah Giles-Harling, vision mixer on live EastEnders episodes; BAFTA award winning TV producer, Barbara Emile; David Gilbert, former Series Producer of The Gadget Show; and Rick Platt, TV director Holby City, Casualty, and Waterloo Road.

The TV professionals were happy to offer advice to students, with Chris Dennis a producer with WTV offering a series of top tips for students from the University on how to get ahead of the competition.

He told students gathered at the Graphic Bar to be focused, to do their research, be creative and above all, be persistent.

“We’ve all been there,” explained Chris. “It’s a numbers game, don’t give up, be focused and keep going.”

Former Bedfordshire graduate, Jodie Lockwood has seen that persistence pay off. Now a Production Co-ordinator for ITV, she has worked on prime time shows such as Piers Morgan and Dancing on Ice.

“At the moment I’m working on Piers Morgan Life Stories,” said Jodie. “I send film crews all over the world to film the various friends and families of our guest. I then work on the live studio insert with a celebrity guest.”

Jodie chose Bedfordshire after coming along to an open day. “I really liked the course, I liked the lecturers who were going to be teaching the course and found them to be really informative. The facilities were great and I made it (the University) my number one choice.”

The evening was a great success, with Strictly Come Dancing Star, Joanne Clifton tweeting that night, “Amazing event tonight! The Bedfordshire Uni Tv Networking event! Met so many interesting people! Xxxx”

Further photos from the night can be viewed here