Exeter alumna Lola Schroer graduated in 2022 with a degree in English and Drama and in the few years since, she has already built a varied career at the BBC. We caught up with her to hear what she’s been up to since graduating, reflect on her time at Exeter, and gather her advice for future graduates looking to break into working in journalism and media.
In 2022, while wrapping up her dissertation, Lola began working with BBC Radio Devon, presenting and producing a four-hour evening show three times a week. For Lola, the show, which focused on arts, music, and culture, was an excellent way for her to apply her passion for broadcasting while also gaining hands-on experience in producing content and engaging live with listeners.
After graduation, Lola then went on to freelance across several BBC platforms, including BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show, BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, and the BBC World Service’s Focus on Africa podcast. During this time, she contributed to a wide range of content, from live studio production to breaking news. Lola also worked as a freelance assistant producer for BBC Radio London, supporting presenters like Asad Ahmad and Gaby Roslin.
“When I first joined XpressionFM, I didn’t see myself working in news. Although I had always been interested in current events and news programming, I didn’t think I would end up in journalism. During my time at BBC Radio Devon, where I started working around people in news, I realised how much I enjoyed the news side of broadcasting. This experience really sparked my shift towards journalism, and I decided to pivot from being a Radio DJ to pursuing a career as a journalist.”
By the end of her first year at Exeter Lola had launched her own show, Locked in with Lola, during the pandemic, where she shared the best up and coming new music from around the world. Reflecting on why she started the show Lola shares, “I wanted to keep busy alongside my degree, so I reached out to local Devon musicians and some from my circle of friends in London. That show became a huge part of my university life, and I still keep in touch with many of the artists I played on the show. It was an incredibly rewarding experience that shaped my passion for both music and radio.”
In her third year, Lola then became Head of Music at XpressionFM, curating the station’s music content, and during that time the station won a silver award for diversity at the Student Radio Awards.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Lola became one of the presenters of The Catch Up on BBC Three, delivering news and culture stories aimed at 16-24-year-olds. Around the same time, she also joined the BBC News Channel as a journalist, working on breaking news stories covering major global and political events, including the UK and US elections.
She shares, “This role has been incredibly exciting as it allows me to produce fast-paced news as well as report on culture events like the BRITs, BAFTAs and MOBOs.
“One of my proudest moments was producing a cross-platform feature on accessibility at London Fashion Week this year, which was broadcast across TV, radio, and online platforms.”
The journalism and media industry is a popular one for graduates, so finally, we asked what advice Lola would give to students or recent graduates looking to work in the sector. She said, “My biggest piece of advice is to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Whether it’s through student radio, community radio, or even hospital radio, getting as much experience as possible is key. The more hands-on you are, the better you’ll understand how the industry works.
“I also recommend listening to the shows you’re interested in working on. Get a sense of their tone, structure, and the types of stories they cover. Understanding the ins and outs of what makes a show successful is incredibly valuable.
“But beyond technical skills, journalism is all about storytelling. To be a good journalist, you need to be able to tell stories that resonate with people. It’s essential to work with a diverse range of individuals and hear their unique perspectives. The more you travel and experience the world through different lenses, the more you’ll enrich your storytelling.
“Finally, don’t be afraid to pitch, pitch, pitch. Whether it’s story ideas, freelance work, or even your own projects, getting comfortable with pitching is crucial. It’s how you build relationships and create opportunities!”
Thank you to Lola for taking the time to talk to us, we love hearing about what our alumni are up to! If you would like to keep up to date with Lola’s career and see what she does next, you can follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @lolaschroer.
If you have a story to share about your career since graduating from the University of Exeter, then we would love to hear from you! Our DMs are always open on socials (Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook), or you can email us at alumni@exeter.ac.uk.