On the 22nd of May, UQ’s Journalism and Communications Society (JACS) hosted their first professional development event of the year at the Global Change Institute. The Networking Morning Tea brought together the club’s valued members and sponsors, staff from UQ’s School of Communication and Arts, and various industry professionals across Brisbane.
The Networking Morning Tea embodied JACS’ mission to create a community of up-and-coming journalism and communications professionals—not only at UQ but also fostering cross-university connections with QUT and Griffith.
Attendees were greeted with an array of morning tea refreshments before settling down with a talk from guest speaker Dr Richard Murray, delivering insight on his extensive career as an international journalist. The interactive experience allowed students to ask questions on media representation, journalist impartiality, and recultivating trust in journalism.
Following that, a speed networking activity encouraged students to engage in valuable discussions with communications professionals about the various roles in the marketing and PR industries, tips and tricks to stand out to employers, and the possible challenges students should prepare for.
Attendees intermittently ducked out to take advantage of the complementary professional headshots. Surrounded by the greenery of the atrium, a dedicated photographer took care in crafting the perfect composition for everyone.
Before wrapping up, UQ alumna and former JACS President Bimini Plesser gave students valuable insight into her post-grad life and career as a NewsCorp Cadet.
The cherry on top? Five lucky attendees were treated with a giveaway of double passes for The Correspondent, a movie based on the experience of past UQ lecturer Peter Greste working as a foreign correspondent.
The society’s executives meticulously put the event together over the course of a month and take great pleasure in hosting events that support the social, academic, and professional needs of their members. The event could not have been possible without the work of Meghan Fallis leading the professional development portfolio with Maia Steele, Lauren Dorr and Hailey Wight.
A lineup of professional development and social events is set to take off in semester two, and JACS is honoured to be a cornerstone of the student experience while studying journalism and communications at UQ.
Check out what Ariel Wilson, a first-year Bachelor of Journalism student, had to say about the event:
<VIDEO COMING SOON>
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