The hard work of a young journalist has landed her an internship with Deutsche Welle, one of Europe’s largest radio and television networks.
Recently graduating from UQ with a dual degree in journalism and arts, Clare Atkinson begins her six-month placement this week in Bonn, Germany, where the multi-lingual broadcaster is based.
After completing a student exchange in Germany last year, Ms Atkinson said she was glad to return to the region.
“In 2005 and 2006 I studied at Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet in Freiburg, and decided then that I would one day return to work,” she said.
“Little did I know that I would be returning within one year. The internship with Deutsche Welle seemed like the perfect start to my career, combining both journalism and German.”
During the course of her studies Ms Atkinson volunteered at local radio station 4ZZZ where she hosted Brisbane Line, a weekly news program.
Her work with the show was recognised with a nomination in the 2006 Queensland Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Awards, where she competed against journalists from major Australian news organisations.
She said the challenge of tracking down and producing stories to tight deadlines attracted her to a career in broadcasting.
“I hope the internship will allow me to find further work with Deutsche Welle,” she said.
“I have always had an interest in politics and would enjoy learning more about European and German politics. Reporting on the arts, and music in particular, would also be a great experience.”
Joining Ms Atkinson in the newsroom will be fellow UQ graduate Helen Seeney, who secured a Deutsche Welle internship in 1987 and has stayed with the company since, working as a host and producer of weekly feature programs Inside Europe and Network Europe.
Operating since 1953, Deutsche Welle distributes news in 30 different languages to broadcasters around the world including the ABC.
Media: Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)
.jpg)
