Student blog: ‘From intern, to online producer’
My name is Thomas Hounslow. I am in my final year of completing my bachelor degree in Arts (Media and Communications). I took the compulsory subject ‘Literature\Media Project A’ and elected to do an internship with The Age Online. This opportunity was given to me thanks to Swinburne and in particular my journalism tutor – Diana Bossio.
My first day at my internship, I was warned by the senior editor that “no intern ever gets offered a job, so don’t get your hopes up.”
I spent two weeks at The Age being the biggest pain that I could be – writing stories without being asked, constantly asking the editors for work and asking journalists if I could join them in press conferences or out in the field. I even went out with the video crew, although it was no where near my role. I just wanted to learn every aspect of the industry.
By the end of my two weeks, I had 11 published articles including two feature articles on The Age Online website, attended five press conferences at the Police Centre on Flinders St, one press conference at AFL house, and joined a swarm of journalists outside the County Court to interview Derryn Hinch.
A month following my placement I received a phone call from the Senior Editor at The Age Online department. I only expected him to offer me an extra few days as an intern, however he asked me if I would meet up with him to discuss a possible job. This made me the first ever intern to be offered a job.
The role was as an Online Producer. I was apprehensive to begin with, as the only web development work I had done before was in my subject ‘The Internet and World Wide Web 1’ (of which I barely passed).
The way the job works is that around 5:00pm, all the print journalists hand in their stories; those stories get put together by the senior print editors; then get sent to the printing press around 6:00pm. After the printing people have compiled their first draft, the stories then get sent back to the online department. This is where my roles comes in – taking those stories, re-editing headlines to fit the construct of the website, adding pictures\video\sound clips as necessary and publishing them on The Age website.
I was incredibly nervous my first two weeks. I had no idea what to do and all the people I worked with were 40-year-old professional web designers. I have since gotten the hang of it and am confident with my role.
I later asked my editor why he wanted me to work there. I know I’m a decent writer, but surely there must be someone out there with a High Distinction average who deserves it more. He told me something very important and true: “The reason why a company will want to hire you is not because of your grades or accomplishments (although they help). If you genuinely want it more and can show them that you’re willing to do what it takes to become the best, is all you need to get ahead”. He told me the story of how he started out in a paper in Queensland and although there were some brilliant writers there, he got promoted faster because he showed dedication, tenacity and determination.
The lesson I have learnt from this, is to be determined and push for everything you want. Never let a bad mark or a bad comment or failed subject make you believe that you can’t make it in the end. Stay hungry for what you want – and make sure they know you want it more than the other guy.
Thomas Hounslow
6 notes
ana-margot747 liked this designrevolution21-blog liked this
bearandbadger-blog liked this
swinburne posted this