ALICE WASS
Exploring Media

Sebah Chuadhry is the Creative Project Manager for Curated Place. This is an art led production agency which delivers, creates and curates contemporary exhibitions and events internationally. The agency consists of seven people, but Sebah explained that this means they are constantly busy, working in an easy going, flexible and relaxed environment.

 

Sebah is from Birmingham, and has had a passion for photography since studying it at GCSE then later at College. Her goal was to be a photographer, and she set about gaining work experience. Sebah gained a position as a volunteer at the Rhubarb-Rhubarb Photo Festival. The experience lasted a week and she loved the exhibitions and networking, and this inspired her to continue volunteering at the festival again. Sebah explained the importance of volunteering as it comes with a multitude of benefits. These benefits include: experience, networking, building confidence, learning about the industry, and provides the opportunity to create a lasting impression with future employers. Through volunteering she discovered she did not want to be a photographer but wanted to work with other photographers. Having spent twelve-weeks volunteering at a local Coventry radio station, Hillz FM, I understand the importance of volunteering and the benefits it can bring. From volunteering I learnt about the industry I desire to work in, and built up skills that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to, and networked with other professionals in the industry. I would be interested to try and gain more volunteering experience in radio or TV, possibly Hospital Radio.

 

After this Sebah went to Wolverhampton University, but left after her first year. Sebah explained she found it is difficult to know to do while studying. She decided to go out and try doing new things to discover which way to go. I believe I am extremely lucky that through university I have discovered what I would love to do in the future, so that I can start to work towards my career goal. As Sebah was unsure what to do next, she approached Rhubarb-Rhubarb and became a Freelancer for them. During that time, she travelled the world, writing reviews and holding festivals for the company. Six years later the company they offered her a full time job.

 

Sebah was made redundant from Rhubarb-Rhubarb in 2012 and her next job was as a Festival Coordinator at FORMAT Festival, the UK’s largest contemporary photography festival. Although, this was not the role that Sebah had originally applied for, at the interview they liked her and offered this role instead. Her job included delivering talks and conferences, exhibitions, catalogue and brochure creation, marketing, managing a team, and working on the UK’s biggest portfolio review. In 2017 Sebah started her new job at Curated Place, her clients have included: Hull City of Culture 2017, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, and Spectra. Recently Sebah has been offered to run a portfolio review for FORMAT Festival and a position as an editor for ‘The Photo Exhibition Archive’ to run alongside her current job. Sebah received both these opportunities from former work colleagues.

 

Although I do not want to become a Creative Project Manager I learnt a lot from the talk. It reminded me of the importance of volunteering to gain industry contacts. To be good to others and not burn bridges as it is possible to gain work and new opportunities from former colleagues. To not give up, to work hard, be open to change and most importantly to take chances. Taking chances is especially important in the early stages of my career as I need to go out there and prove what I can offer employers.