Bachelor of Communications in Journalism/ Bachelor of Arts in International Studies University of Canberra
- Caitlin RossAustralia
- University of Canberra, Australia
- Bachelor of Communications in Journalism/ Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
- Undergraduate Degree
- 2011
What I love most about my university is the relaxed atmosphere. The great expanses of trees and grass are quite serene and nothing is more fun the abundance of native wildlife like kangaroos and rosellas is great its so nice to get away from the city bustle scene sometimes. My university isn't the biggest of institutions but I like that about it. The classes are small so the lecturers and tutors learn your name. It's nice to be a person not just a number in the system. And because they get to know you they will help you in the way which will suit you best. The staff are all friendly and helpful and make you feel so welcome to be around. The student residences are really close and the students form a close community helping eachother out when someone's in need. Afterall it's them today but maybe it'll be you tomorrow that needs a hand with something so it's nice to know there is such a great support network so close by. There are so many different residential areas so theres a living style to suit anyone. The course structure and outcomes work towards best preparing you for the experiences you will face in the industry which the course will lead you to Many internships and exchange programs are available to give students all the necessary experience they need to achieve their dream jobs. I love the sense of belonging I feel here at UC. I havnt found many places where i feel as content as I do here. Everyone is so accepting and friendly and open. Its such a great place to study. Not only am I getting a great education I'm also getting great memories and experiences which will serve me well in both my personal and professional future
It was hard for me because i loved all my subjects but they were all so different and didnt really make an obvious career path. (English 4Unit Ancient history Visual Arts Spanish continuers Physics and Chemistry). Everyone kept telling me to study different things because i would do well. And I know I would have. But it wasn;t what I wanted. So I Thought about the things that interested me more than just what I did well in. I love politics current affairs news foreign agendas and multicultural views as well as travelling and experiencing new cultures and writing but most of all I'm always reading non-fiction or watching documentaries because the world is full of information waiting to be learned. And I realised all these things would make me a great journalist and I've always loved programs like foreign correspondant so This is how i made my choice. In choosing Unis i wanted the double degree not two or one single degrees. Which sort of just left me with UC and UTS. UTS had a ridiculously high entry score of 97 and UC was 65. If they are the same course and degree in the end why should the score be so different? But that wasn't the only reason. UC had spanish and seemed to have more focus on the oractice of journalism training on how to get out into the field rather than theoretical learning. I picked this course at thhis university because it would provide me with more valuable experience and skills as well as the language of my choice and i would get to live on campus and have a whole new lifestyle. My advice is Think about what you love doing most with your time because if you love your job or what you're studying it isn't really work it's fun.
work for a year and a half or whatever the time period is and make $18000 so you can get government assistance. Because I didn't so I'm not financially independant according to centrelink so I have to work 2 jobs to make enough money to support myself. A gap year would be good for those whose parents aren't going to let them just sponge off them
The lecturers and tutors are so friendly and the class sizes are small so they learn your name and you aren't just a number in the system. The class sizes are relatively small compared to other tertiary institutions so you can get more help and guidance. The subjects are designed to reflect actual experiences that you might face in the industry of the study for example in my course in my journalism classes we have had to go out and interview people sit in on court proceedings and simulated a news room environment where a big story is breaking etc. It is much more fun than the really theoretical traditional learning style and much more useful because when you actually enter the workforce you won't have any troubles because you've dont it all before. The course is less than the same course at UTS by at a significant amount.
There is a westfield mall about 10 minutes walk from the university I myself have 2 jobs there so work isn't hard to find especially because they need weekday staff. There are also frequent buses into canberra city just a short walk from the uni/residences so it is easy to find employment outside of the area aswell. For those who don't drive/ find petrol to be really expensive this is a great convenience. Also if you take your bike on the buses in canberra the ride is free! The accomodation is undergoing major upgrades of the summer and new residencies are opening soon so the res community will grow to be bigger and better than ever. The prices are far cheaper than renting and include all untilities water gas heating and electricity and the internet is fast and very cheap around $10 lasts up to 3 months.
I have only just completed my first year but I am in the processes of finalising work experience at a local paper to help me more with industry experience which i know they would never have allowed me to do if i wasn't a uni student studying journalism. There are barely any internships or apprenticeships for journalism anymore you can't start as a photocopying/coffee gopher and work your way up the foodchain. thesedays if you aren't university educated you won't even be considered.
