Broadcasting studio
ECU Broadcasting graduate Hayley Plunkett on the job at West Coast Eagles headquarters.
She still has no idea what she wants to do.
Hayley believes life is about walking through each door as it opens and following a path until, well, another door opens.
She has no 'dream career'. She's a refreshingly free spirit.
In fact, Hayley started an undergraduate degree majoring in political science and international relations because she enjoyed those subjects in high school.
But…another door opened halfway through that degree, and she switched to Communications and Media.
The broadcasting studio door
In her final undergrad year, Hayley had the opportunity to study live TV production in Singapore for 3 weeks.
She thoroughly enjoyed this, and it was a big factor in deciding to study a Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting at ECU.
As part of her studies, Hayley was awarded the inaugural Gary Stocks Scholarship thanks to the partnership between ECU and the West Coast Eagles.
This provided her with a 6-month paid work placement at WCE Headquarters in their media and broadcasting department, developing her creative and content skills.
It has also helped Hayley build her portfolio, a critical element in applying for future jobs.
More practice, less preach
The Broadcasting diploma course came as a surprise to Hayley.
So much hands-on learning!
"We rarely sat in class listening to someone speak," she says.
"We spent most of our time doing what we were being taught."
When she was being taught, it was by current industry professionals who passed on their invaluable knowledge.
During her studies, Hayley also had work placements at Channel 9, 6PR and Mix 94.5.
"These placements were an excellent way to see how our studies are applied in the real world and was a great way to build network connections," says Hayley.
The whole course was a big challenge for Hayley, a self-confessed introvert.
"It forced me to do things that scared me," she says.
"Every step of the way I doubted whether I was capable, but I managed to overcome each step."
We wonder what door will open next for Hayley.
Whatever the next path looks like, we think she's built a great foundation to walk it with confidence.
