• Charles Sturt University in Bathurst hosted a free workshop for Year 9 to Year 12 students considering a career in the communication industry

High school students interested in careers in journalism, content creation and strategic communication got the inside scoop on their career options through an interactive workshop held at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.

Charles Sturt Communication lecturers hosted the ‘Making it in Media’ workshop for Year 9 to Year 12 students, their teachers, careers advisors and families on Tuesday 11 March.

They learned about the unique courses and study options offered at Charles Sturt in Bathurst.

Course Director and Senior Lecturer in communication in the Charles Sturt School of Information and Communication Studies Dr Deborah Wise said there was no better place to learn the communication profession than at Charles Sturt.

“Communication at Charles Sturt University has long been recognised by industry for its winning combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills and the current degree program has been developed in conjunction with alumni and industry,” Dr Wise said.

“Our philosophy is that you learn by doing, through opportunities to hear from people who work in industry, through the analysis and interrogation of real-world case studies and through working for real-world clients.

“All of this happens within the important backdrop of key communication theory, so our students understand the ‘why’ of communication and how to identify and serve audiences.”

Students who attended the workshop, which was part of Explore Day, experienced Charles Sturt’s brand-new TV studio and creative hub, took part in practical and fun workshops, and heard from leading academics and alumni.

The overall experience gave students a taste of what it’s really like to work in media and have all their questions answered.

Year 12 Student at Canabolas Rural Technology High School Miss Keisha Taylor said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“It was great to learn and use the podcast equipment,” she said.

“It was also exciting to be in the TV studio and see myself on TV.”

Dr Wise said there was an element of ‘inside knowledge’ needed to understand exactly what is involved in communication studies, which the new precinct reflects and represents.

“The best way to showcase the unique approach of our university is by bringing young people into our TV studio, our wonderful new podcasting and editing rooms and our brilliant new boardroom spaces so they can meet their future lecturers and work with us for the day in a hands-on way,” she said.

“There is no better way to find out what the study of communication is all about and if it is the right choice for our student visitors.”