1st Sep.

Thurs:

I arrived at The Edge in Southbank an hour late coming in my train from Petrie midway through a panel discussion with Lauren Day  from the ABC and Patrick Lion  from the Courier Mail.

The gist of what I walked in on?

Journo’s must be mindful of your social networking image, namely facebook, as it is undoubtedly the role of future employers to “stalk” any information and whatever is discovered that isn’t favourable would go against us.

Roger that.

Freelance Journalist Panel

Andrew McMillen: Freelance Journalist, Joanne Brooker: Freelance Editorial Illustrator, Dean Saffron: Freelance Documentary Photographer.

Keynote Guestspeaker

Chief Correspondent, The Australian: Hedley Thomas

Employers Panel

ABC News Director: Bernie Bowen, Seven Network News Director: Rob Raschke, Courier Mail Online Editor: John Grey

 

Here are the valuable pointers that were given to journalists:

  • Immerse yourself in reading.
  • Be familiar with Print, Radio & Television Media at all times.
  • Don’t take no for an answer.
  • Travel. Travel. Travel.
  • Have faith and conviction in your story ideas.
  • Be curious.
  • Curiosity equals Currency.
  • Judge your success on the quality of your enemies.
  • If you do everything based on money you will be dissapointed.
  • Create what you want to do, the money comes along.
  • Don’t adapt to group-thinking.
  • People first.
  • Academic results are important.
  • Journalism is not a job, it’s a career.
  • Two very important words: “Go Bush.” (Go to regional newsrooms. That’s where opportunity lies.)
  • Have QUALITY ideas.
  • Be constantly moving within the industry.
  • Don’t be settled in your ideas.
  • Be fair. Balanced. Accurate.
  • Know how to break news.
  • Do as many internships as you can.
  • Have a mentor.
  • Set up a blog. Facebook Business Page & Twitter account.
  • Spelling mistakes (on CV’s or application letters) are NOT acceptable.

Today’s Highlight?

    Meeting ABC NEWS-QLD State Editor: Bernard Bowen( oh and getting his business card!)
    *Note to John: Bernard mentioned you Professor Henningham:)
    Like duh! hahaha!
    Most valuable piece of advice taken away?
    This is the most exciting era for “gen-y” journalists, so make the most of it!
    And for all journo’s applying for or doing cadetships?
    Their parting words were:
    “Good Luck!”