(Published in Flex)
For this issue of Flex, we wanted to show just how far your degree at University can take you. So we spoke to Thomas Mitchell, who is now interning for companies on the other side of the world, in Australia.
Hi Tom. How was your degree at Falmouth University?
I really enjoyed the Journalism degree at Falmouth. There’s such a relaxed environment – sometimes you even forget you are at university! I’m really glad I chose to do the Journalism degree in particular, because it taught me how to work and write as a journalist.
The lecturers used clear and concise methods when it came to teaching tools of the trade, and we had loads of fun as a year group. There are plenty of opportunities to specialise in any subject areas you are really interested in, and the lecturers were very supportive with everything we did.
Is there anything you miss?
Looking back, the atmosphere of our Journalism classes and time at Falmouth Uni is something 3I3 3really miss. It feels like only yesterday that I started, and I can’t believe it will be 4 years since my first day in September. Time flies when you’re having fun!
What made you move to Australia after you finished your time at University?
I came out to Australia in 2007 with my family, and ever since my first visit, I always knew that I wanted to come back. I’d been planning on coming back for a few years, as the lifestyle buzz of all the major cities and obviously the weather caught my attention! Australia is such a young and exciting country, and there are so many opportunities for people out here. For me personally, I always wanted to gain some experience internationally in terms of my career path. I had freelanced with a few publications in the UK during m3y degree, and was hoping to build on my work experience portfolio overseas. I have always wanted to be the type of journalist that travels the globs, and what better way than to begin in Australia?
Is Australia somewhere that you want to stay now you’ve experienced it for a year?
I will do anything I can to stay in Australia now. I have secured my second year visa through 3 months regional farm-work, which was good fun, but hard work at the same time and definitely worth it. So I am here until September 201 at the latest. Hopefully, I will myself a job where I will be able to sponsored, meaning I will be able to stay out here for good.
Do you have any horror stories?
You always hear about people being attacked by sharks or crocodiles, or people finding snakes or venomous spiders in their houses, but Australia isn’t really like that. Well I haven’t experienced it …yet! I’m sure something will come along and jump out at me in the next few months. For now, I can say that I have been pretty lucky!
What would you say to people who want to do something like you have? Do you have any tips?
If anyone is thinking about travelling to Australia, or any part of the world after their degrees then d it. The world is such a big place, and there really is so much to see. You never know what will happen, and if you have a degree under your belt, more likely than not you will find yourself in a job that perhaps you never thought you would have. Although, travel is very addictive so be warned if you start, you really will not want to stop! … but I guess that is not always a bad thing.
Thomas James Mitchell 