Sydney Life

I’ve just finished a month working full-time at SBS for my media internship. As part of the Media and Communications degree we have to do 20 days work placement, in any area of media you want really, and I was lucky enough to get SBS. The internship was one of the main reasons I chose Sydney uni’s course over other unis, because I felt like there was a chance to really test out what my future career could be like, and (fingers crossed!) make some connections.

The internship was great! I learnt so much! BUT the full-time thing was definitely a shock to the system! The show I was working on was ‘Dateline’, an international current affairs program. It’s kind of the bee’s knees of journalism so I was super excited to get it (and admittedly when starting, terrified!!!).

There was no need to be scared though – I’ve discovered the last 3 years doing my degree hasn’t been a waste!!! Haha. I was able to check out the editing, find footage, research and (when feeling really brave!) submit my own story proposal.

One of my favourite days at the internship was when I joined a news crew for the day and we headed out on a shoot. We got to the Opera House for the memorial concert of the architect who designed it – Jorn Utzon. It was great! We got special media interview time, and the best seats in the house! :) The out-there camera stuff is more what I want to do, rather than sitting at a computer all day so I was really happy to see how it all comes together. The special media passes added to me feeling important! Haha.

The hardest (well time-consuming) task, was trying to find someone who was fluent at Romani. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, many people haven’t – hence the tonnes of phone calls made. It’s the gypsy language of the Balkans! I think I managed to cross some cultural sensitivities – I got yelled at once or twice by Croat-speakers and Romanians. The gypsy thing is not complimentary! Well, the things you learn!

Yay for the internship helping to clarify what it is I want to do with my life. I finish uni this year and am meant to have my future career sorted by then! That’s only, oooo 6 months away!!! Oh ohh, that terrified feeling is coming back again.....!!!! :)