Making the news

Giles Pitts studied English literature at the University of Cambridge after taking A-levels in English literature, French and Geography at RGS and worked in political consultancy and conflict resolution before his latest role as a public service media news producer in Geneva

A: How did you end up working in the media?

Q: I did a lot of different things in my twenties, all somehow linked by communication, writing and publishing. I found that combining some technical skills with a knowledge and interest in international affairs was a good way into lots of different types of organisations, from a political consultancy to a brief stint in the civil service, to a conflict resolution non-governmental organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.

These days I’m still in Geneva, working as a producer in a news agency for public service media in Europe and beyond. We’re a department of the European Broadcasting Union – better known, perhaps, as the organiser of the Eurovision Song Contest!

Q: What was it that inspired you to follow this path?

A: At the time there didn’t always seem to be much logic to it, but looking back I think I just followed my interests, was unwilling to settle for the first thing that came along, and tried to inhabit the overlapping space between what I enjoy doing and what someone might pay me to do. I always knew I wanted to travel a bit for work, and to try living overseas.

Q: Can you outline a typical day?

A: The newsroom is a 24-hour operation, so depending on my shift I might be up and starting very early or getting home late. The pace depends on what’s going on in the world, but recently it seems we’ve gone straight from one major story into another. On a given day I could be editing video and audio from a live press conference, tightening up our scripts, or trying to track down the latest pictures of a breaking story.

Q: What have been the highlights of your career to date?

A: In a previous role, helping to organise an informal meeting of the UN Security Council in New York was a surreal experience.

More recently, taking some time out to train as a radio producer was very rewarding and helped me to get my current job.

Q: What’s the best bit about your job?

A: Working with fun and diverse colleagues and feeling like you have your finger on the pulse of global news as it’s happening.

Q: And the worst?

A: Some days there’s barely time to pause even for a coffee, despite the team encouraging each other to take breaks. And of course, there are many stories that are hard to watch. I’ve found it’s really important to switch off from the news cycle when I’m not at work.

A: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced?

B: There have been a few leaps of faith: moving abroad (twice!) and leaving a permanent contract to head out into the unknown. At times of change it’s easy to doubt yourself and wonder if you’re doing the right thing.

Q: What was the most important thing you learnt at RGS?

A: Teamwork. I remember all the Charity Week activities we organised. There’s no way anybody can do that alone; people need to feel empowered to own and deliver their part of a big project.

Q: What extra-curricular activities were you involved in while at RGS, both in and out of school, and how valuable were they?

A: In my family we still reminisce about the House Drama performances. There was a real buzz in the school on those nights, when everyone gathered in the darkened hall and you hoped the months of hard work would somehow come together. I remember having a lot of fun in many school plays – Fame probably being the highlight. These days I am more comfortable behind the scenes!

Q: What do you wish you’d known back then?

A: Just relax. There’s no rush.

Q: What did you want to do when you were at school?

A: I was considering journalism. But I didn’t have a strong sense of all the different kinds of job that might fall under that heading.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you’d give students interested in following a similar career path?

A: Consume lots of different kinds of media and ask yourself what works and what doesn’t. Not that there’s a right answer, necessarily – but I think it’s important to have an opinion.

Q: Who was your favourite teacher and why?

A: Mr Lewicki. I was really lucky to end up with him both as my form tutor and English teacher in sixth form. His A-level classes were more like seminars. We would all just sit around the table as equals and discuss the texts. It was good preparation for university, but also just a great way to spend time.

Q: Who or what inspired you when you were at school?

A: I remember going to a Simon Armitage poetry reading and being blown away by him as a performer. I wasn’t expecting him to be so funny, in a deadpan kind of way. I think he achieved hero status for me that night.

Q: What would you say has been your greatest success?

A: Meeting wonderful friends and sharing in their lives as they unfold.

Q: And biggest disaster?

A: Thankfully, no major personal disasters. But I cringe when I recall breaking my ankle in my first football training session as a graduate student. That was a very short-lived comeback in my extremely modest footballing career. I am now more of an armchair fan.

Q: What are your hopes for the future?

A: For me and loved ones to be healthy, to spend more time outdoors, and to keep some time for creative projects.

Q: What do you miss most about Ripon?

A: About school – probably the growing sense of independence and expanding of horizons in sixth form. There’s a particular kind of excitement unique to that time, I think.

About the city – I would have to say the excellent One Eyed Rat pub! I try to pop in with friends when I am back visiting.

Photos, from top: with dog Daisy in Ticino; Geneva sunrise; at RGS; RGS leavers' assembly; exploring the Swiss Alps