Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) television production students have started their careers on a high note after securing a 12-month traineeship with leading television network, Channel Nine in Sydney this year. The students, Anna Macdonell and David Page, will also each receive $3 000 scholarships from Channel Nine after a competitive selection process conducted by Channel Nine managers on the University’s Wagga Wagga Campus. The Nine Network also offers three-week internships to third and final year television production students as part of ties between CSU and the industry. “Due to the high standard of the students, it is always difficult to select participants in the internships and traineeships,” said Channel Nine Supervising Director, David Summons. “It’s vitally important for the students to secure real world experience and industry contacts,” said CSU television production lecturer Bruce Gater. “Channel Nine’s policy of providing internships and two major traineeships allows this to happen,” he said. Ms Macdonell and Mr Page are due to graduate from CSU in 2006.