The Bootcamp provided students with practical newsroom experience, direct access to leading reporters and editors, and a clearer understanding of the opportunities awaiting them beyond university.
Twenty aspiring journalists from Edith Cowan University’s (ECU's) Broadcast Journalism course were granted an inside pass into their future careers over the mid-semester break, in the News-Sense Bootcamp, delivered in partnership with Seven West Media.
The week-long program, held at ECU City Campus and the Seven West Media headquarters, paired students with industry mentors and exposed them to the realities of modern newsroom life through guest speakers, editorial workshops and story pitching sessions.
The opening day at ECU City Campus saw students brainstorming story ideas ahead of editorial conferences, while guest speakers shared insights into the persistence and resilience required to succeed in journalism.
Chief of Staff Matt Zis opened the program by discussing what it takes to cover the day's biggest stories and highlighting Seven West Media's appetite for fresh voices and original reporting from emerging journalists. His message encouraged students to approach story pitching with confidence despite the inevitable nerves.
"I was lucky enough to be accepted into the one-week program under the mentorship of Ross McRae, Editorial Projects Editor at Seven West Media," said student Indahly Gebert-Tchan.
"Ross was so supportive and encouraging. The sessions were realistic and informative, but also, there was an energy in the room where we all felt inspired to hone our skills and take control of our future careers."
On the second day, students visited Seven West Media's Osborne Park headquarters, beginning with a behind-the-scenes tour of Western Australia's newspaper printing press.
The tour showcased the full production process, from towering rolls of newsprint and metal printing plates through to the finished newspapers leaving the warehouse for distribution across the state. For many students, seeing the presses that had printed some of their own published work reinforced the significance of contributing to a professional publication.
Later that day, students pitched story ideas to The West Australian Editor-in-Chief Chris Dore and The West Australian and The Nightly editor Sarah-Jane (SJ) Tasker.
While presenting to senior editors proved daunting, the experience allowed students to build confidence and receive valuable editorial feedback, Indahly said.
"I grew up watching Seven News every night, and as a devout lover of their programs, print and digital editions, even standing still in the lobby with my cohort felt electrifying, like a small, satisfying milestone," she added.
Postgraduate student from the Master of News and Entertainment Media, Cara Mooney said she loved pitching to SJ and Chris.
"It was invaluable to be invited into rooms like that and gave us all confidence that our ideas are useful and valid," Cara said.
For some students, the experience extended beyond pitching. Undergraduate Clare Perrot's story was assigned to a photographer before later being published, demonstrating how classroom ideas could become professional journalism.
Day three focused on career development and newsroom culture.
Opinion Editor Malcolm Quekett reflected on a career spanning London newsrooms and decades in journalism, emphasising the importance of saying yes to opportunities and remaining adaptable throughout a career.
"I've learnt to say 'yes' to things and how important it is especially when starting out. I was surprised to see the enthusiasm of people towards writing," undergraduate student Chloe Nolsaco said.
"I thought it was very encouraging. I loved hearing from all the guest journalists and knowing about their background and their stories."
Acting Countryman editor Rebecca Nadge spoke candidly about transitioning from elite equestrian competition into regional journalism, inspiring students like undergraduate student Ra Castel to consider careers outside metropolitan newsrooms.
"I liked that there was an openness about regional work. It made what could be a possibility more real and less daunting," Ra said.
Day four belonged to sport and economics. Chief Sports Reporter Glen Quartermain shared lessons from decades covering elite sport, while business reporter Matt McKenzie discussed entering journalism through an economics degree rather than a traditional journalism pathway.
"If you told younger me getting my economics degree that I'd end up a journalist at The West Australian, I'd be shocked," McKenzie told students, admitting he used to be wary of journalists before discovering how much he enjoys the investigative and economics side of the work now.
Throughout the week, students continued developing and reporting their own stories under The West Australian masthead, allowing them to access contacts and interviews while working to professional newsroom deadlines.
The final day concluded with Chief Reporter Ben Harvey sharing stories from some of Western Australia's most significant crime investigations, including reporting on bikie gangs, organised crime and underground scams, providing students with insight into the risks and challenges of investigative journalism.
"Nothing in my degree so far has come close to what he's lived through, but hearing it gave me a sense of just how high the ceiling on this career actually goes.
"What struck me most was the range of working journalists we met and how different their skill sets and personalities were from each other," Indahly said.
"Being surrounded by a big group of equally passionate student journalists made the whole week feel electric."
The News-Sense Bootcamp provided ECU's emerging journalists with practical newsroom experience, direct access to some of Western Australia's leading reporters and editors, and a clearer understanding of the opportunities awaiting them beyond university. At the conclusion of the bootcamp, one student will walk away with a "golden ticket", a semester two internship at Seven West Media, no application required.
This article was compiled by Indahly Gebert-Tchan.
