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FIVE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP

When third-year rolls around, there will be plenty of opportunities available via an internship to make an ascent into 'the real world'.

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I recently had the chance to complete mine with SBS. That was always the hope, particularly after commentating on matches from the IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships, broadcast on SBS On Demand late in 2023.

 

In doing so, I had the chance to work for the company I had dreamed about from a young age, travel and explore a new city, and live alone for a month.​

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It was a wonderful and pivotal time in my life. Here are five things I learned from it.

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Oliver Walker-Peel

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1. Back yourself in

When doing assignments at university, a sense of imposter syndrome tends to linger. The amount of times I thought 'I am a uni student, why would they want to talk to me' would be more than I'd care to admit.

 

In the outside world, there was none of that. Whether you go through a formal application process, or use previous contacts to gain your internship, whoever takes you on will do so for a reason.  When you walk into that office on the first day, you are no longer just a uni student. You will be a part of a reputable company, and the confidence boost that gave me when walking into SBS was astronomical.

 

From personal experience, the tools I had used previously at university benefitted me beyond the classroom. When asked to help with a Canva graphic, I trusted in my abilities picked up in Understanding Sports Journalism last year. When tasked with editing a World Cup match for 2018 for SBS On Demand, the Adobe Premiere Pro skills I had picked up in Reporting Sound and Image give me the basics from which I could build from.

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You may not immediately realise it, but by giving you an opportunity, at least one member of staff has put their trust in you. The onus will then be on you to trust yourself, and believe in the reasons that helped get you there in the first place. 

2. Don't be scared to travel

When I initially contacted SBS about the possibility of doing an internship, they were quick to approve. Being based more than an hour's drive from Melbourne, I was told I would be better served moving to Sydney for the duration and doing it there. It was one of the best decisions I've made.

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Having spent time in the north of England during my early life, the flight from Melbourne to Sydney was a cakewalk in comparison to Manchester to Melbourne, and maybe that is part of why I enjoyed it so much.

 

As someone who is still learning to drive, living so far from a major city can have its drawbacks when trying to build a career. A sense of independence sometimes eludes me, and while there are wonderful people in my life who make up for that, the sense of freedom was life-changing.​

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The same goes the other way too - if you have been based in the city your whole life, I would advise not to fully discount the country. A change of scenery and immersing yourself in hyperlocal news might be the kickstart you need.

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3. Network!

Wearing the SBS logo on my chest was an honour. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Les Murray, Johnny Warren and Craig Foster opened doors and helped forge connections that might not have been possible otherwise.​

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I have had the opportunity in previous roles to network with others in the industry, but working with SBS accentuated how important it can be.

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Via the agency of my colleagues, I was able to start conversations with both former Matilda and current broadcaster Cath Cannuli and Network Ten and Paramount Plus A-Leagues commentator Robbie Thomson, who had both spent time with SBS previously.​

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From conversations with both at the Moriarty Cup, I was able to gain valuable insight into the inner workings of the industry, giving me more of an understanding of what goes on.​

4. Be open to trying new things

Something I have loved about my degree is the chance you get to be versatile. From co-producing segments for Channel 31, to producing audio podcasts, a mindset centred around versatility is created. Work experience was no different.

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Take that chance. In my time with SBS, I was able to work with some programs I had seen before, like Canva and Adobe Premiere Pro, in editing World Cup clips I had never done to such a level before. While I had some of the basics down pat, I was able to improve in some others, giving me a more complete repertoire.

 

On the contrary, I tried my hand with the likes of Dalet and RODE Reporter for the first time. Dalet assisted me in editing clips for SBS On Demand and the social channels, while RODE Reporter allowed me to seamlessly record audio straight to my phone. â€‹

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Both in terms of content producing and the tools used to do so, being open-minded can serve you well in such an environment.

5. Be authentic to yourself, and have fun

When I first walked in the door at SBS, I had every intention of staying true to myself, hoping I'd click with those I was working alongside. My expectations were far exceeded.​

 

By the time I left SBS, I had gained connections with team members in a way I felt like I'd been there a decade. Working alongside like-minded people all pushing towards the same goal enhanced the experience greatly.

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While laughter and creating chemistry are never written in a contract, they are intangible and immeasurable factors by any metric that can go such a long way. The group of people I shared a desk with not only improved my journalistic skills, but also created a work experience where it was a pleasure to work every single day.​

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If you're authentic and true to yourself (in the best possible way), people will most likely return the favour, and you'll enjoy the experience far more than you could otherwise.

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