Tell me a little bit about yourself and your passions?
I like music and words/writing lyrics. I am pretty interested and curious in the world generally. I talk a lot and ask a lot of questions. It kind of extends into my job as a reporter – I look for stories and find compelling ways to tell them.
Can you discuss the circumstances that led to your career and some challenges you have overcome?
Circumstances that I had to overcome was getting a US visa. I really didn’t want to go back to Australia because there was a ton of interesting things to write about in the US. So that was a hustle to learn the visa system and figure out how I could fit within it. A bunch of other things that I don’t talk about as much that were lousy but I don’t know if there was any silver lining type pay off to them.
Why do you describe yourself as an Australian/Mebournian by birth and American in Spirit?
I am from Australia though Identify with American notions of individual freedom and doing whatever you want provided you don’t harm or inhibit anyone else- that’s what I mean by the twitter bio.
How would you describe the media landscape today and what are some of the trends you are noticing?
Its blurring with social media and niche- fying basically people are producing their own news and consuming media from their social circle.
Which means media has to get more specific and indepth and uncover and do things the average person cannot or just doesn’t – i.e good research
specific topics. less general.
What do you think are skill sets that aspiring media professionals need to work on today?
Enthusiasm and curiosity- I feel like most things can be learnt with persistence and the right person to show you.
As well as being able to see your own personal biases (more for reporters than other media folk)
What advice would you give millennials looking to get in your line of work?
Go for the jugular – stay away from crappy magazine start ups- find a cool editor to intern for that has paid employers (so there is a chance you could become one)
If you could give your younger self some advice, what would you say?
Don’t smoke cigarettes they are for suckers. Don’t doubt the relevance and validity of your ideas and experience. Every body does but try understand what it adds and why it is important.
Now at UYD, we are always looking to find out different ways people use their difference to make a difference. How do you use your difference to make a difference Simon?
I am a reporter so I am always working to make a difference doing fair and balanced reporting on import issues people need to know about… but I don’t know I have to remove my opinion a lot of the time – seems like the opposite of using my difference to make a difference.
I will have to think about it
Where can we find out more about you and what you’re up to?
