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Former junior mayor earns TV job
At seven years old, Katie Lingard knew she wanted to be a news reporter.
At 15 – when she was the Hervey Bay Junior Mayor and an Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year – Katie set her sights on a journalism degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Now 21, the Urangan State High graduate has not only earned her USC Bachelor of Journalism, she is also a reporter at WIN Television Wide Bay.
“This is what I wanted – it’s the reason I went to University,” Katie said.
“I like informing the community about what’s happening around us and finding new ways to explain issues. The fast pace gives you a rush and pushes your abilities.
“I’ve done a wide variety of stories and I’m using every skill that I was taught at University – thinking about the words, vision, editing and presentation.”
Katie received her degree in front of 3,000 people at the 2010 University of the Sunshine Coast Graduation Ceremony on Friday 9 April.
“USC was my first preference in high school because of its journalism internships and modern, nature-friendly campus. I like an outdoors lifestyle and felt inspired when I studied under the trees on the grass.
“I loved meeting the different International students every semester and learned a lot about other countries and cultures.
“Tutors such as Greg Nash and Gill Cowden and guest speakers from the industry were a great help.”
Katie has moved back to the Bay after living in student accommodation at the Sippy Downs campus while studying for three years.
“My degree played a huge role in getting the job, especially my internship at Channel 7. I also had extensive work and life experience and even took voice lessons in Brisbane.”
– Julie Gatehouse