Breaking into the media industry is tough, but high-profile Channel Nine journalists say graduating students will make it if they have passion, talent and “a modicum of luck”.
As more than 4000 journalism students prepare to graduate across Australia from next month, The Newsroom spoke to Channel Nine reporters Peter Overton, Peter Harvey and Roz Kelly about getting a job in this competitive industry.
Mr Overton said despite the current climate, it had always been hard to get a job in journalism.
“While completing a bachelor of economics, I did work experience at 2UE – 12 hours a day,” he said.
“Three years later, someone got sick and they told me I was on the air.”
But when asked about the changes in the industry, he said he was definitely not envious of the position students were in today.
“There’s a changing landscape in the media – a lot of cutting going on,” he said.
“[Graduates must] be prepared to work in Dubbo or Orange. If you’re good enough you will make it to the capital cities. Be patient and earn your stripes.
“Keep going hard and hard. I’m a great believer in passion.”
Channel Nine sports reporter and presenter Roz Kelly said the best way to get noticed in the industry was to do as much work experience as possible.
“Work experience [is] valuable learning,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you do it, just as long as you do it.
“If you are doing as much work experience as possible, you are 100 per cent more employable.”
It takes years of experience and hard work to be highly recommended in the industry. Television journalist Peter Harvey is a great example of this.
“I can tell you that I began as a copyboy with the Packers’ old Daily Telegraph in the early 60s,” he said.
“Since then I’ve worked for 2GB, 2UE, Newsweek, UPI, BBC Radio London, The Daily Express and The Guardian. [I’ve been] with Nine since 1975.”
When asked to give advice to students who want to be successful journalists, Mr Harvey said: “Never stop trying. Never say ‘No.’ Exude enthusiasm and if you have ability and a modicum of luck, you’ll do OK.” – Keahne Archer
About the author
