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Journalism students in Media Awards final
Two University of the Sunshine Coast journalism students are in the running to claim a prestigious prize at the Queensland Media Awards on Saturday 25 August.
Nikita Lee, 21, of Noosa, and Brad Gardner, 23, of Morayfield, are two of three finalists for the section of the awards for the most “Outstanding Journalism Student from a Regional University”, which carries prizemoney of $1500.
USC graduate Hannah Klose won this award last year, while classmate Renae Henry was a finalist.
Nikita and Brad will be judged on articles they wrote while working as interns with APN News & Media publications, the Sunshine Coast Daily and the Caboolture News, respectively.
Their achievement in reaching the final has bolstered USC’s reputation as having one of the best journalism degree programs in Australia.
The program also received top marks in a recent survey of graduate satisfaction which found 100 percent satisfaction among USC’s journalism graduates. Only two other journalism programs nation-wide achieved the same result.
USC Head of the School of Communication Dr Stephen Lamble said the University’s small class sizes, experienced teachers and hands-on training contributed to the program’s success.
Brad and Nikita paid tribute to Dr Lamble and USC’s teaching staff for their encouragement and guidance.
Nikita said USC’s emphasis on practical work and on building a professional portfolio were key reasons why she chose to study at the University.
“'I took it for granted that all the hard work outside of university hours was part of my degree, but getting this recognition makes it seem all the more worthwhile,” she said.
“I was a bit apprehensive about going to a smaller university, but at USC the lecturers and tutors are much more personal and they take the time to point you in the right direction.”
Nikita recently won a $1000 prize from Sunshine Coast Newspapers for being its most outstanding intern of the year, after doing internships in the company’s features department and newsroom.
She is now working as a journalist for the Bundaberg News-Mail.
Brad, who is in his final semester of study, said he had particularly enjoyed the one-on-one attention available to him at USC.
“I know all my tutors and lecturers on a first-name basis and I can ring them up and, straight away, book a time to meet them," he said.
“Stephen Lamble and Gillian Cowden, particularly, have always been there to say what’s expected of you and to explain how things could be done.”
Brad said being a Queensland Media Awards finalist would boost his career and he thanked Caboolture News editor Cath Fouracre and Sunshine Coast Daily on-line editor Mark Furler for their help during his internships with APN.
“I feel really fortunate to be a finalist considering the amount of talent in the USC journalism course,” he said.
– Terry Walsh