James Liveris

Freelance Journalist, and Reporter at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
London
Bachelor of Communications and Media 2018

How would you describe your career journey?

With all honesty, probably from the School of Hard Knocks. But also, one full of great experiences and personal achievement. Journalism is a tough game. It can be cut-throat. It could also possibly be the worst paid profession out there. However, it is a rare job that exposes you to all facets of life. You put on 1000 different shoes a day and try to make sense of it all. Constantly learning and perfecting your craft to provide the audience with the highest quality work. It can bring you great satisfaction when you see a comment like ‘I read through this article start to finish’ because you know you have played your role in democracy. I hope my journey will continue to be full of those moments.

How do you think your time at Notre Dame prepared you for work in your current field?

I finally felt at home. I was part of a community with like-minded people who had a passion for journalism, politics, and fine arts. It gave me the confidence and backing that I had chosen the right field. I attended every lecture and tutorial, I never wanted to miss out, and that, I believe was because of the passionate professors and smaller size classes. It lit a fire inside me that has kept me in my field today and I envision for the rest of my working life.

What would be the highlight of your career to date?

Getting a special posting to Christmas Island. You could say it was my first taste at foreign correspondence… but more importantly it was what I got out of that trip. It is a magical place with a vibrant community and a rich history. Unfortunately, it is also an island that has been ravaged by the commercial media and has been labelled with stereotypes. When I was the there, I had a conviction to immerse myself in the community and win back a bit of trust. This enabled me to uncover some absolute nuggets and gave me the privilege to tell those stories. I would love to return there one day.

4 years ago

2022

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Having your resume looked over by a business professional and getting it up to scratch. As a graduate, sometimes the application process can be extremely tedious, and you might not even make it to the interview phase. But when you have an outstanding resume and cover letter, that first door is always open – It’s on you to do the rest!

What tips would you give to recent graduates starting out in the workforce?

I believe this tip to be almost a ‘state secret’ for those in the know. I, unfortunately, was not and I have observed this after trudging through the mud. If you cannot find full-time employment or a cadetship you MUST try and get your foot in the door as a casual worker at the big institutions. Even if it is one or two days a week, doing the most menial jobs, your time will come. If the big-time players can see that you can do the small things, and do it well, they will call on you when they need a bigger hole filled. I have seen many great journalists leave the profession after not making it to the metros, but on the contrary, seen university students get those roles as a means of convenience for the employer… and sometimes it is about working smarter than harder.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

All the things that bore the youth of today!

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