It doesn’t matter where we are in our career, we never stop networking. I was with a colleague at the RTS Programme Awards in March. As we watched Charlotte Moore presenting the ­Outstanding Achievement Award to Stephen Lambert, we mused how, irrespective of Studio Lambert’s run of successes with shows such as The Traitors, Squid Game: The Challenge and Boarders, even someone at that level is still probably having conversations about the next commission or series they’re working on.

It’s been a tough time all round in our industry. In Wales, despite a strong foothold in drama, sport and, of course, Welsh-language programmes, a lot of people have had to put time into finding their next job.

This struck me forcefully a few weeks after the RTS Programme Awards. I was at our own RTS centre awards event in Cardiff, where we combine industry and student categories. The event offers great networking opportunities.

I’d spotted one of the students on her own, looking a little lost, so I asked her if she was OK. Her name was Fi and she was from one of the universities in North Wales. She was disappointed not to have won and wasn’t sure how she was going to establish a career in television.

I told her that even a nomination from the RTS would be well regarded and she should use this opportunity to chat with some of the people in the room. “You’ll need to get used to it,” I said. “Networking, relationship-building – it’s as much a part of the job as making the shows themselves.”

The idea of this terrified her, she told me. She felt that people were there to have a good time. Well, it’s true that there’s a bit of a gear shift once the wine starts to flow. I walked her up to the mezzanine, so that we could look at the crowd.

I pointed out a few folk who could be good contacts, but I could see she wasn’t convinced that she’d know what to say. “If it’s any help, I feel the same. The difference is, I’ve learned that it’s exactly what everyone else in the room is doing right now.”

I pointed out an actor (who I’m sure you’d know) chatting with the folk from Doctor Who. As he laughed a little too enthusiastically at one of Russell T Davies’s jokes, I smirked. “I bet he’s angling to play the next Doctor,” I said. “Oh, no,” said Fi. “I think he’d be a much better baddie!”

Next, we saw a famous presenter chatting to someone Fi didn’t recognise. “He makes sports documentaries,” I said, pondering if our frontman – best known for consumer shows – was hoping to move in a new direction.

“Maybe it’s the other way round?,” said Fi. “Perhaps the producer is suggesting a programme about the cost of replica football jerseys?”

Stressing the importance of not missing out on a good opportunity, and feeling a little like Jacob Marley, I indicated a noisy group of students, laughing and joking and taking selfies holding their newly acquired trophy. “They might have won, but why aren’t they making the most of the evening?” I inquired. “That lady in the green dress with her back to them – she’s a commissioner in digital. I know she’s always looking for new content, especially in the category they won.”

“Well, that’s the category I missed out in,” Fi replied. And then, the penny dropping, she turned to me and whispered a thank you before heading straight over to that commissioner and starting up a conversation. I felt quite proud. I think she’ll go a long way.

Edward Russell is Chair of RTS Cymru Wales