AS part of the year 10 curriculum, a week of work experience is required for all students.
I asked to do my work experience with The Bunyip as I continue to enquire about a career in journalism.
I went in to the office on Monday last week with many of the generic, preconceived notions of the newspaper industry and came out refreshingly surprised.
As my week progressed, the action-packed, sensationalised perception of the industry proved not to be accurate, and I found I spent the majority of my time on local stories affecting the community.
As someone who is newer to the area, I was able to feel more immersed in the Gawler community and learn about the history of both the town and The Bunyip, which was established in 1863.
I also was able to realise how important the newspaper is to the community and how big an impact it has on Gawler and surrounding districts.
Having the chance to write some stories for the paper was amazing, though I most enjoyed listening to the staff and also meeting readers and local people.
The opportunity to hear locals’ stories and The Bunyip journalists’ perspectives on local issues was a great learning experience.
I was also able to learn more about writing for a regional newspaper as well as facets of interviewing and graphic design.
The most thrilling part of the week was going to the police siege at Sandy Creek and the subsequent Gawler police media conference on Thursday, and the Elizabeth Magistrates Court the next day.
Standing outside the courts with metropolitan newspaper and TV journalists was an experience most other students probably might not get to have.
Not only did the week help focus me on my future career prospects, it was also a great time spent with passionate and enthusiastic journalists.
I’d like to give a big thanks to everyone at The Bunyip, especially the journalists I worked with closely, for the support and advice they gave me throughout the week.
I hope to come back to the paper very soon.
– Jessica Grasser
