Meet Mark
Willacy
S
tarting out as an engineering
student, Mark discovered
his passion lay with writing and
changed his degree to journalism.
Although it was a different
beginning to his university career,
Mark says ‘if you don’t enjoy
the course you’re doing, or the
vocation you’ve chosen, find
something you will enjoy. Nothing
beats doing something you love,
because your passion will drive
your ambition and your ambition
will fuel your career.’
USQ was a logical choice for
Mark, having grown up on the
Darling Downs and completing
his schooling in Toowoomba.
He started studying journalism
in 1993 and hasn’t looked back.
Since graduating, journalism has
taken him all over Australia and
the world from Queensland, South
Australia, Victoria, the Middle East
and Asia. He’s worked as a political
correspondent at Parliament House
in Canberra, covered wars in Iraq,
elections in Iran, revolutions in
Egypt and tsunamis and nuclear
meltdowns in Japan.
Mark’s advice for beginning professional journalists
1
Always apply your journalistic standards to everything you read,
particularly on social media.
2
Pass each subject and work towards a job in journalism. Talk to
your tutors and lecturers not only about learning the ropes of
your cho sen career, but also how to get your foot in the door
when it comes to finding work.
3
Get some work experience and show off your abilities. Above all,
don’t give up!
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