Chelsea Jorss – Communications Coordinator
What subjects did you study in Years 11 and 12?
English, Maths A, Modern History, Biology, IT/ Digital Design, Japanese
How did you decide on those subjects?
I have always enjoyed writing and storytelling. But when I was in Year 11 I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after graduating, so I selected subjects that I knew I would enjoy (aside from maths!).
I loved English and Modern History, particularly when it came to researching a moment in time and telling stories. ICT and design allowed me to flex the creative part of my brain, and I learnt some valuable skills on the Adobe Suite, which I use to this day. Japanese allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture, and I loved learning the language.
What inspired you to pursue a career in communications, and what did that journey look like?
When I graduated high school, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at UQ and took a range of different courses — from Public Relations to Peace and Conflict Studies, and even an Introduction to Criminology course.
At the end of that year, I realised the courses I really enjoyed were the ones that involved media analysis, communications and storytelling, so I switched degrees and enrolled in a Bachelor of Journalism/ Bachelor of Communications dual degree.
I think there is a preconceived idea that if you do a journalism degree, you have to become a journalist. But writing, editing, interviewing and understanding the media landscape are skills that can be transferred across many different careers and workplaces. Over the last 6 years I have had a really rewarding career, working in communications across the arts sector, government, and higher education. These roles have included social media content creation, publicity for a ballet company, and media writing and pitching for The University of Queensland (where I did my degree!).
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Always having something to look forward to at the end of the work week, whether it be a fun activity, a dinner with friends, or just relaxing at home.
What other advice do you have for senior students?
Don't feel pressured to know exactly what you want to do when you finish school. It's okay to take the time to find things you are passionate about. If you do go to university, get involved in the clubs and societies! It's a great way to meet people and it also opens doors for internships and networking opportunities. You never know where you might end up.
What's your favourite thing about your job?
Working on a story from start to finish. From interviewing the subjects, to drafting the content and then producing it for web or print, it's rewarding to see the hard work pay off at the end (and see your talent's face light up when they read their story for the first time)!