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Stacie, Roving reporter

Roving Reporters - Where Are They Now? - Danielle Ralph

Danielle joined the Youth Central roving reporter team in 2008. She soon went on to become our Arts & Music Reporter, covering events like the Push Over and Face the Music, as well as interviewing artists like The Galvatrons, Sophia Katos and My Own Enemy. These days Danielle is the chief writer of Gippsland-based magazine The Lifestyle.

Where are you working at the moment?

I'm writing for a magazine called The Lifestyle. I freelance, so my "office" is wherever I open my laptop. I also still work casually at a bakery for extra income and to work with more people as I find my journalistic work quite individual.

How does your work experience with Youth Central relate to this job?

It's actually very similar. I just have more assignments and feel more responsibility. Youth Central has a lot of writers, whereas our magazine is largely produced by me. 

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I already have my dream job, when I think about it, so I don't know what will change in the near future. The lifestyle I currently lead would suit a working mum! I also love photography and have a passion for promoting. 

What would you say you got out of your experience at Youth Central?

Heaps! I was given a great opportunity that I made the most of. It gave me confidence and real experience. I felt like a professional... because I was. It was the foot in the door to do exactly what I wanted. I'm so grateful to have been a rover.

What advice would you give a young person looking to get into journalism or communications?

Apply to be a roving reporter and show you're keen. What better way to see if this is the career for you than to actually do it with great support? And you get paid! I've done my fair share of unpaid work and so would have many writers.

Building a portfolio is great for your own development as well as impressing future employers. I would also suggest thinking about what type of work you want to do. I think sometimes people do courses and don't know what working role they really want after they complete it.

Would you recommend writing for Youth Central to young writers?

That would be a big yes.

What are some of the essential skills you think every writer should possess?

I just wanted to do it. So I would say desire and work ethic is important. I've also found of late the ability to concentrate is important. It becomes a difficult task to write multiple articles in a short period of time if you keep putting off physically sitting down and writing them when you have the time. Ultimately passion is the most important attribute anyone can have to be successful at anything.

Who, if anyone, were you inspired by to become a journalist?

I was inspired by musicians and sports stars who I wanted to know more about. I wanted to step inside their world and share that experience with the world. Being a journalist was my backstage pass and insight into people and activities that interested me.

I've also had the opportunity to interview AFL journalist Samantha Lane twice: for my first TAFE assignment and later for a national sports magazine I contributed to. Somebody that busy giving me the time of day to help me along my way gave me a lot of confidence. I remember thinking, "This lady is just like me."

What are some of the perks of being the Chief Writer for The Lifestyle?

I get to choose the content and I communicate positive stories. As I'm answering these questions for you, Leisel Jones is battling negative press about her weight from the press. I wouldn't feel comfortable writing those articles. I recently met and interviewed fellow Olympian Belinda Snell and she shed a tear in front of my eyes for happy reasons. I get to experience those special moments and focus on the inspiring story. I know I'm a big part of this magazine, which I like. I also like having daily deadlines.

If you could interview anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Rob Thomas has always been my dream interview. Most editors I've worked with know this too! I love music and grew up on his songs. So the idea of meeting him one day is an amazing one. However, I've recently been informed he doesn't do many interviews these days. So I might have to surrender that ambition and just keep him as a star I looked up while finding my courage to dream. I'm OK with that.

If you want to get published on Youth Central, check out our Get Published pages to find out how. For more articles about Jobs & Careers, check out our Jobs & Careers section and our Articles Archive.

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