Benjamin Rossleigh - Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism)
Benjamin Rossleigh currently works for Radio 2UE. After various successful work experience stints Ben's portfolio is literally bulging with work. In 2006, he took home the award for best 1st year Journalism Undergraduate, an achievement he says is his greatest to date.
He won highly commended for Best New Story at the 2008 Ossie Awards, which are the student equivalent of the Walkley Awards.
Why did you choose this course?
The last few years of school I was working out what I wanted to do when I left. I had an interest in news and current affairs. I liked reading the paper, watching the news and listening to news radio. So I thought, well I like this area and this is what I want to do so why not go for it!
Why UTS?
I live in Sydney and I heard UTS is a great place for journalism. So, I went along to the UTS open day and it had everything I wanted to do. It had radio, television, print - everything.
What work experience have you done?
I started at the Central Coast Express Advocate, which is the local paper on the Central Coast. I had two weeks there during which time I had between 10 and 12 articles published which has helped build up my portfolio. I have also done numerous other placements.
Studying journalism at UTS has cemented by love of news and current affairs and has provided skills in all areas of journalism, including print, television and radio journalism. Lecturers and tutors all have extensive industry experience and are able to provide a wealth of information to students. The university is able to offer internships and work experience to journalism students through industry contacts, and I completed work experience while undertaking my journalism degree. This enabled me to build my portfolio of published work and led to my first paid media job at news.com.au as a video producer. After working at news.com.au for a year I moved to Radio 2UE and now work there as a program producer.
Has the degree lived up to your expectations?
Absolutely. Everyone there is friendly both the lecturers and the students. The courses are really interesting and I have been really enjoying it.
Favourite Course?
Journalism 1. I had Jenna Price and she gave me a new love for journalism. She really encouraged everyone in that first class and gave an excellent introduction into the course.
What do think of the staff?
I think the staff are wonderful. They are helpful, they all know their work - they know what they are talking about and they teach it well.
Greatest Achievement at UTS?
The thing I am most proud of is receiving 1st year Undergraduate Journalist of the year award. When I was in year 12, my parents and I went along to the parent teacher night at my school and my English teacher asked me : "what do you want to do when you leave school?" And I said that I wanted to get into journalism and she looked at me and said "Well, I think you should consider another career path."
Getting that certificate (undergraduate journalist of the year) meant all the more to me then. I wanted to post her the certificate because it showed that if you want to achieve something all you need to do is put your mind to it and you can.
Where do you hope to be a few years from now?
I would like to go into broadcast journalism. That is, radio, television or video journalism.
What advice would you give to people wishing to study journalism?
Once your in your in. Put your mind to it and do as much work experience as possible because it looks good on your resume and its great experience.