How I Got Here
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Smart women HOW The formidable ITV News anchor CharleneI G White OT shares her career story harlene White, 38, was born in south east I WAS DRIVEN BY REJECTION FOR YEARS. I was encouraged London and graduated from the London HEto apply Rfor a jobE as a full-time presenter for the BBC in College of Printing (now University of the Cambridge by a senior executive. After sending my CV, Arts London) in 2001. Since then, she’s I received a rejection email. I hadn’t even been asked for worked in various media jobs, including an interview. It takes a lot to make me cry, but I sobbed Cher latest role as an ITV News presenter. that night. I momentarily thought I’d chosen the wrong career, then decided I’d show them they were missing out. AT 16, I SENT OUT 50 LETTERS ASKING FOR WORK EXPERIENCE IN JOURNALISM. The only one to get back to me was the I SAW THE VACANCY FOR AN ITV ANCHOR, but I never Guardian. I was disappointed. I wanted Sugar magazine thought I’d get it. I applied anyway. Much to my shock, because it was cool, but I had the most they gave me the job. I think it was amazing time. It made me realise what ‘I WAS down to the fact that I wasn’t nervous I wanted to do for the rest of my life. in the interview. I thought I had no DRIVEN BY chance, so was more relaxed. AT UNIVERSITY, I JOINED AN ORGANISATION CALLED THE WINDSOR MY CAREER HIGHLIGHT IS BECOMING FELLOWSHIP, which helps black and REJECTION’ THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO PRESENT Asian people get into the world of work. Charlene: ITV NEWS AT 10. My parents arrived in this They arranged interviews for us and one ‘I love being country with essentially nothing, then one back in the of mine was at ITV Meridian. I was newsroom’ of their kids makes history – that makes me taken on for work experience, then proud. The look on my dad’s face when I offered a job as a trainee reporter. told him will stay with me for a long time. AT 21, I WAS PRODUCING THE ITV I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR WHAT I BELIEVE LUNCHTIME NEWS. There were lots of live I’M GOOD ENOUGH TO DO. I’ve had people inserts, so I learnt a lot. I’m not sure how tell me not to go for roles because a certain I balanced it with raving – I’d often get network doesn’t think ethnic minority in at 3.30am before a 5.30am start! presenters produce good TV ratings. As far as I’m concerned, that shouldn’t stop A YEAR LATER, I LEFT TO WORK IN RADIO. I wanted to be you – never let anyone have that power over you. reporting, but was too young to be on screen. I heard that BBC Radio 1Xtra was launching, and found an online page BEING ON SCREEN, I FACE A LOT OF SCRUTINY. I’ve had emails naming its senior members of staff. I sent each of them my telling me to lose weight, and when I was visibly pregnant CV and, about five months later, they asked me to freelance a guy tweeted about the size of my breasts. A man would for them. I lobbied for a staff job, which they offered me. never get any of this. It used to upset me, but now I think: ‘Do you know how hard I’ve worked to get to where I am?’ BY 24, I HAD BECOME ONE OF THE YOUNGEST SENIOR BROADCAST JOURNALISTS IN THE BBC. I was travelling I’VE RECENTLY GONE BACK TO WORK AFTER HAVING MY FIRST around reporting. I’d get to work at 8am and by 9am could CHILD. I absolutely adore my son, Alfie, but I love being be on a flight or the Eurostar. I didn’t realise I was so back in the newsroom. Looking after a child is such INTERVIEW: ANNA BONET. PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE ULLATHORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNA BONET. INTERVIEW: young to be working in such a role at the time. a minefield, but work makes me feel like me. SEPTEMBER 2018 REDONLINE.CO.UK 53.