OOPS HE DID IT AGAIN!

"Oops….he did it again - James graduates to MTV"

Media studies graduate James Longman has been rubbing shoulders with the stars since leaving the University of Sunderland. The 23-year-old has gone from a BA to the BBC and then - just 18 months after graduating - to a dream job at MTV.

Building on the skills gained at Sunderland have allowed James, of Chigwell, Essex, now produces and directs the hugely popular show MTV Select, working with the likes of Cat Deeley, Richard Blackwood, Lisa Snowdon and Trevor Nelson - as well as the one and only Britney Spears.

James says: "I feel very lucky to be where I am. I am doing something I love, and that is thanks to the University. I chose Sunderland because the media and communications course looked like a good practical course, and I was right. Our lecturer was excellent. I had a fantastic three years at Sunderland and made a lot of friends.

"Six months after leaving the University I did work experience on the BBC's Ozone before getting a job with MTV. I started off doing the menial jobs like carrying and fetching, but because of the practical experience I got at Sunderland it meant I could help out with the production. Now I am doing a great job and getting well paid at the same time. Not to mention rubbing shoulders with the likes of Britney."

James completed a BA (Hons) in communication, cultural and media studies, which included experience in television, video, radio, print journalism and photography.