I was happy to see a comment this week in my clips section from an Australian journalist-in-training named Maggie. I’ll let you read her comment for yourself:
Hey Hilary,
Nice work on the blog – the name jumped out at me on a Google search.
Just had a couple of quick questions for you & I’d love any feedback you could offer me.
I’m 25 and have just returned to uni to finish my Journalism degree. I’m finding financials a little tricky. Did you work while studying, or did you have support from your folks? What were your weekly expenses like?
I live in Australia and while work experience is advised, there’s not a great culture of internships. They certainly exist but are just a little harder to come by. How long do they typically last and are you able to give me an idea of day-to-day activities or outlines?
Lastly, I’d love to set up my own blog – which is why I was searching for examples. I’m really behind the eight ball with this sort of thing. I know I need to learn which is why I’d like to make a start.
Any help, or info, would be awesome. I really feel as though I’m stumbling through this course a blindly. It’d be nice to find a sense of direction. Where there any skills you picked up along the way that have become invaluable? Or is there anything you wish you had of mastered earlier in your degree.
Last question I swear – what are you now? Have you started working after graduation(I’m sure you’re not sick to death of that one), and what type of journalism are you interested in?
Apologies if this is too much of an ask. I do feel a little creepy asking all these questions, but you’re page looks great and I’d like to know how you survived the last four years of life.
Thanks,
Maggie.
I e-mailed Maggie and said I thought the two most valuable skills were reporting and an adaptability to change. I also said I wished I had more multimedia experience, starting earlier.
I’m curious to hear what other people think, especially about skills you’ve gained along the way that have become invaluable or things you wish you’d mastered earlier.
Leave your response in the comments — I know I would love to hear your advice, and I’m sure Maggie would, too.
