I walked through the threshold into the Bunbury Mail office to start a week long work experience wondering if I had what it takes to be a journalist.
I found the week to be educational and entertaining and I left with a newfound passion for journalism thinking this is a career I could pursue.
On my first day I was greeted with a friendly smile at the front desk before meeting the paper’s editor, Shanelle Miller.
I was escorted to the desk where I was to work from each day until a computer malfunction caused a swift departure one afternoon.
On Monday morning I was handed several letters that needed to be typed up.
When I completed one task I was presented with another and a steady stream of work kept me rather busy for the first few hours.
After a lengthy lunch break I was given the opportunity to proofread a draft of this week’s Bunbury Mail and edit pages where needed.
As 4pm came around I left, content and believing I played an important part in the production of this week’s paper.
My second day was very similar to my first, however the deadline for production was looming and more drafts were being placed on my desk.
I also got to travel out to the Eaton Recreation Centre with one of the employees, who had a terrible taste in music, to take pictures of the new facilities the sport centre had recently completed.
As I returned from this outing my desk had been commandeered but I didn’t mind as there was editing to be done.
Hump day Wednesday was renamed to half day Wednesday as the freshly published Bunbury Mail was placed on my desk and all the jobs dried up.
I had very little to do and spent my morning reading the paper.
I scoured the West Australian and tried to keep myself amused.
After lunch time I was told that I could go home and if Bob Hawke has taught me anything, if I didn’t seize the opportunity I would have been a ‘bum’.
On Thursday the camera was bestowed upon me to take snaps for Throwback Thursday.
I think that was Shanelle’s biggest mistake.
I was told to take close to 50 photos, 70 photos later, Shanelle looked over my efforts.
Thankfully she did because there were some doozies.
Among those 70 pictures I don’t think there was a single good shot.
In the aftermath of that catastrophe I was taught how to focus a camera.
I then retook only 50 photos this time, before retiring for the day.
On my final day I performed a task I found to be to the most tedious of all.
I was asked to type up the tides for the coming months.
I was briefly rescued from that ordeal when I ventured out with Justin, one of the reporters, to cover a story about a new ambulance depot opening soon.
In the car ride coming back I learnt some very valuable pointers, for instance, “If in doubt always turn left”.
Upon my return I finished the tides and I was left with nothing to do. So I went to lunch.
Still with nothing left to do and several hours before my mum came to pick me up it was suggested, by a man with a wicked sick afro that I write about my experience at the Bunbury Mail.
So this is what I came up with.
Before this week came to a close another reporter, Chloerissa, took me along with her to photograph the Re.Discover artworks that are around the city and she also taught me a very valuable lesson.
Always check the licence plate number on the company car you drive before parking so you don’t approach a random car and try opening the doors repeatedly.
My work experience, although I didn’t get any time off school, was still educational and enjoyable.
I will leave this week with a new experience and knowledge of what an editor does as well as a new pen and a belly full of little red velvet cupcakes.
This week was not wasted and I would like to extend my thanks to all the workers at the Bunbury Mail for putting up with me, teaching me, feeding me and making me feel welcome. This was a truly memorable week.