Written by Sophie Norris
“All the interns we take here are usually from Charles Sturt. If I were you, I’d go to Charles Sturt”.
Who knew a conversation I had on my year 10 work experience at Fox Sports, would change the direction of my future and really, the course of my life?
![Our gal, Sophie Norris.](https://charlie.csu.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG-0721.jpg)
Growing up
Growing up as an only child on the sunny Central Coast there was one thing that was certain – I had always loved talking. When it got to that time of the school year when we had to give a speech and all the kids in the class were dreading it – I was secretly excited. I couldn’t wait to talk about something I was passionate about.
As I moved through my school years, this seemed to be a noticeable trend. Public speaking, debating, speaking at assemblies and even speaking at year 12 graduation. By then I had a pretty good idea of what to include in a speech.
So it should’ve seemed obvious that journalism was something I wanted to do when asked that dreaded question by my year 10 careers advisor. But when I said I wanted to work at Fox Sports, she told me there was no chance somewhere like that would take a year 10 on work experience.
So what did I do? I emailed Fox Sports and set up my own work experience. That was the weekend I realised I wanted to be a journalist by profession.
![Work Experience at Fox Sports.](https://charlie.csu.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_4564-1.jpg)
As I was about to leave their studios after the self-proclaimed ‘best weekend of my life’, I said goodbye to the producer. He asked me where I wanted to go to University and I had no clue – that was still a whole two years, a HSC and COVID-19 pandemic later at this point.
However, he told me “all the interns we take here are usually from Charles Sturt. If I were you, I’d go to Charles Sturt”.
And from that point onwards, I would always get asked why someone would want to move from the beach-side to freezing-cold Bathurst. But I’ll tell you why.
![Sophie dressing up as a journalist for her Year 12 'When I Grow Up' Day.](https://charlie.csu.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG-4878-768x1024.jpg)
Journalism at Charles Sturt
The journalism course at Bathurst was, and still is one of the most highly regarded in the country. I loved the idea of moving away from home for the first time and I mean how cool is it to have a real-life radio station and a mock television studio right there on campus!
As I enter my final year of Journalism at Bathurst, I can tell you I’ve definitely made use of the radio station.
In my first year, I combined my high-school passion for history with my growing interest in Feminism, and what was born? Feminstory. My very own radio show that I co-host with one of my best friends and we chat about a “fabulous female” in history, every single week. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook.
![Sophie & Faith's radio show 'Feministory'.](https://charlie.csu.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG-4996-1024x768.jpg)
In my second year, I became a cadet journalist at National Radio News (NRN). Having the opportunity to work in a living newsroom whilst you’re still studying is incredible. You get to put everything you learn in class into practice and out there for the world to hear. At NRN I get to research, write and broadcast national radio bulletins, it’s a dream job.
![Interning at NRN.](https://charlie.csu.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0497-1-768x1024.jpg)
So, whilst moving to Bathurst was the scariest thing I did at the end of year 12, it was the best thing I’ve ever done and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve met lifelong friends, chased my dream and had fun whilst doing it!
I can’t wait to see what my last year has in store for me and whilst I have no idea what I’ll be doing the day after I graduate, that’s half the fun. I know I’ll come out as a graduate journalist who is ready to use her love for talking for good. And yes, I still love talking.