SARAH Grealy, 19, is an aspiring journalist from Millingandi currently studying at university. Josh Bartlett spoke to Sarah in The Zone.
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Josh: What university are you attending and what are you studying?
Sarah: I go to the University of Technology Sydney, in Ultimo, and I’m studying a double degree of journalism and law.
Josh: Why did you choose to study both journalism and law?
Sarah: I’ve always wanted to be a journalist. I’m really interested in politics and current affairs and I love to write, so it was an obvious choice for me. I combined with law because I became really interested in the judicial process after taking legal studies in high school. I think doing a double degree gives you a variety of skills as well, which makes you more employable.
Josh: What does the course involve?
Sarah: It’s a five-year degree so you learn about print, online, radio and television journalism, and all the branches of law. I’ve found it challenging so far, but it’s been really interesting. My first journalism subject was intense because we got thrown in the deep end straight away. We had to report on news stories that were unpublished and find and interview our own sources. I was out of my comfort zone, but in the end I learned so much more than what I would have from out of a book.
Josh: What has been your most interesting experience at university so far?
Sarah: Definitely ‘NewsDay’. It was an assignment where we had eight hours to cover a story, write it up and file it. I got sent to the Central Coast to cover the opening of a new police station in Wyong, which is about an hour and a half drive from the city. Police Commissioner Scipione was there and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, so it was pretty exciting. We get a lot of interesting opportunities at UTS.
Josh: Was it hard moving to the city?
Sarah: It’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve done because I’m really close to my family so I miss them a lot and I’m more of a country person than a city person. It’s always so busy in the city, but I’m getting used to it now and I’ve come to really love unique areas of Sydney like Glebe and The Rocks.
Josh: What other interests and hobbies do you have?
Sarah: I love reading. My favourite authors are the Bronte sisters, but I’ll read just about anything. I play netball at UTS and I enjoy watching sport, mostly cricket and rugby league. And I love food – that’s one of the best things about Sydney – there is such a variety of cuisines and quirky cafes.