Name:Kristy
Role Title: Agricultural Journalist 
Location:'Country News' and 'Shepparton News'

Description of work undertaken:  Kristy completes a variety of tasks as a journalist. Some of her main tasks include researching articles, interviewing (on the phone and in person) and writing articles for publication. Team and / or individual role / responsibilities: Kristy works with others as a team to compile the papers. In particular she is responsible for following up specific issues and rural / livestock reporting.

Kristy is a journalist who specialises in rural / livestock reporting

Future? 
In the future Kristy hopes to gain wider experience and perhaps move to another form of media.

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where? 
Kristy grew up in Ringwood, Melbourne. She attended Tintern (a school with a farm) in East Ringwood and became interested and involved in showing cattle. Kristy then decided to study Agriculture at The University of Melbourne, Dookie College. Kristy says that attending Tintern had a large influence on her course selection.

Course(s) studied: 
Tertiary /post secondary:
Kristy is completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) at the University of Melbourne, Dookie College aiming to finish by the end of 2000. 

Secondary: 
Kristy primarily focussed on Agriculture, English and Literature at VCE level. These subjects were very useful for her course at Dookie and her new career as a journalist.

Work experience: 
Kristy completed work experience at various locations including work on several farms and vineyards throughout the district while at Dookie and a work placement at her current workplace, 'Shepparton News'.

OPPORTUNITIES: 
Further study: 
Completion of her cadetship as a Journalist with 'Country News' and 'Shepparton News'.

Learning on job, new skills, etc. 
Kristy has developed many new skills, including interviewing, reporting and researching and while working as a Journalist had the opportunity to be editor for up to 6 weeks at a time to relieve staff. 

Travel, etc.
'Country News' is distributed throughout North Central Victoria and Southern New South Wales and the paper has approximately 40,000 reader, therefore travelling to these areas and networking these regions is very important. 

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW: 
Kristy suggests that students from Year 10 onwards should do as much work experience as possible to help them identify what interests and capabilities they have and give them a 'foot in the door' of their chosen industry. 

OTHER: 
What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
"Agriculture is an expanding industry in which the job possibilities are endless!". Kristy knows of some graduates who have selected Agronomy, animal nutrition / management and technical research as careers.