What was the best thing about studying at UQ?
A highlight of my time while studying at UQ was being elected President of the Journalism and Communication Society, also known as JACS. The Society was responsible for organising social and professional development events for the journalism and communication student body. During my presidency, I worked alongside a passionate team of students and was grateful to enhance my organisational and communication skills. I was also fortunate to build meaningful relationships with academics and peers as a result of my prominent role within the Society.
What was the best thing about your program at UQ?
The best thing about studying a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Communication at UQ was gaining course credit by completing internships. Throughout my four years of study, the importance of securing practical experience in the industry was continuously highlighted by my lecturers and tutors. Fortunately, I followed the advice I was repeatedly given because an internship I completed led to securing paid and on-going work within the highly competitive industry.
What did your study lead to?
How did your study help you to get to your current role, and what does your current role involve?
At the start of my final year of study at UQ, I commenced an internship at Nine's A Current Affair Bureau. After a few months, I was offered a paid role within the Bureau to work as a Producer. In this role I was primarily responsible for researching and chasing stories. I also had the opportunity to publish articles on 9news.com.au and provide voice overs that were broadcast nationally during the ratings-winning program. A highlight of my time at A Current Affair was producing a story that led to ACA viewers raising over $160,000 within 48 hours for the life-changing surgery of Brisbane twins Ben and William Rosuck.
The day before my graduation ceremony, I received a call from the Head of News where he offered me a fulltime position as a reporter with Nine in Northern New South Wales.
What advice would you give to students in the same discipline you studied?
I highly recommend getting involved in clubs and societies, especially JACS! Being an executive member was highly challenging, but the biggest regret I have from my time at UQ was not joining the Society earlier in my studies. Use LinkedIn to connect to your peers and your teachers. It's a great resource but is often under-utilised by students who are seeking work opportunities. Have confidence in yourself! You need to back yourself and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. I secured my internship by emailing the Bureau Chief and thought nothing would really come from it, but within 30 minutes I had a reply and within a week I was entering the newsroom for the first time.
What challenges have you came across in your career, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I've had to face in my career is not getting caught-up over the mistakes that I make. At the time of the mistake I would often overthink it and harshly punish myself, but now I'm beginning to accept that everyone makes mistakes and in the big picture the mistake is often very very small. All that really matters is acknowledging there has been a mistake and learning from it!
