ECU Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting student Jess Clancy is putting theory into practice in some of the biggest radio newsrooms in Australia, thanks to a prestigious scholarship win.
Jess was recently awarded the Brian White Scholarship from Commercial Radio Australia, taking out the national award from nine other finalists, including her Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting classmate Mahalia Bowles who was also nominated.
She is currently participating in an eight-week internship in the Sydney newsrooms of NOVA, Nine Entertainment, Southern Cross Austereo and Australian Radio Network.
Jess said receiving the award was a fantastic start to her broadcasting career and she felt very fortunate.
"It's great to be fully immersed in the news cycle and learning to discern the news stories of the day," Jess said.
"Conducting interviews with the Deputy Chair of the ACCC and the Director of the Education Union have been highlights so far, as well as reading bulletins on air."
Jess said ECU's Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting course had given her many practical skills, meaning she felt confident to hit the ground running from day one.
"A few people in the newsroom have been out with COVID – and I've taken on more responsibility than I expected to. The course has prepared me well," she said.
"I've been able to transfer the skills I learnt at ECU straight into the industry."
ECU Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting Course Coordinator Andrea Burns said she was thrilled when she heard Jess had won the Brian White Scholarship, but not surprised.
"Jess showed great news sense from the moment she started the course. She writes well and is quick and accurate," Andrea said.
"And as a singer with another degree in Musical Theatre from The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Jess has a great voice, but she can also deliver news with authority."
Number and quality of internships demonstrates industry regard
Andrea said the hands-on experience Jess is gaining is just one example of the work placements on offer to ECU's Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting students, showing how highly regarded they are by industry.
"We have paid internships with ABC News Sydney, Seven West Media, 6PR and The West Coast Eagles," she said.
Seven News Perth, Commercial Radio Australia and Channel 9 Perth also offer financial prizes to ECU's best-performing students.
"One of the internships, The 6PR George Grljusich Award, was created 15 years ago, in honour of the legendary sports broadcaster," Andrea said.
"Winners get six months' paid work with 6PR during the football season and a cash prize. All recipients have gone on to have stellar careers in sports journalism.
"The fact that industry are still offering paid internships a decade and a half later speaks to the calibre of our graduates."
Lecturers who know what industry really wants
Andrea said graduates of the course are ready to work from day one, with the right skills and attitude to be successful.
"Our course has always been taught by working journalists and broadcasters and we work closely with industry to make sure our graduates are delivering what employers need," she said.
"Within two semesters we take people who may never have stepped inside a studio before and teach them every aspect of broadcasting – interviewing, presenting, creating content, filming, editing, directing, live radio and television, sports commentary, news and lifestyle reporting.
"We teach them to read the news, sport, weather, and finance and make television shows that go to air on commercial tv stations."
So, do they get jobs?
Andrea said she is constantly fielding calls from employers asking if she has any graduates available.
"My answer is invariably, I'm so sorry, no, all our graduates have jobs," she said.
"Year after year our employment rate is in the high 90's and usually 100 per cent. It’s so gratifying to watch the students flourishing in the careers they love.
"We only take up to 22 students a year and within a couple of months of finishing they're working all over the country. It's magic."
To learn more about ECU's Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting in the School of Arts and Humanities, visit the webpage.
