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Bio

Broadcast Technologist in TV and Radio. Electronics Apprentice

Imagine getting a job that would be the envy of most of your friends and family.  That is certainly the case for Kirsty who works for both TV and radio.  She is a Broadcast Technician, doing her electronics apprenticeship for a national public broadcaster.  Getting called out on jobs where the Prime Minister is doing a speech or ensuring popular TV shows are able to be watched by the public is all part of Kirsty’s daily work.  She helps fix any technical errors and makes sure communication equipment is working so that the right signals are sent nationally.  But it’s more than just fixing things.  Kirsty also helps with:

• Monitoring strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjusting equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts
• Observing monitors and communicating with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing
• Transferring content between stations
• Maintenance locally and also at other studios around SA and Broken Hill

Surrounded by control rooms filled with TV monitors, Kirsty’s enthusiasm is evident as she shares about her career pathway.  She did a multi-media degree at uni but it didn’t give her enough of what she wanted.  Originally she thought she’s end up as a camera person.  She certainly knew she wanted to be behind the scenes rather than be the star of the show.  Kirsty didn’t end up going down the camera person’s pathway.  She decided to apply for an Electronics Apprenticeship when she saw it advertised and got it.

Her goal was always to work in TV or radio.  Now she loves doing both.  Having a secure job means she also has the money to travel overseas and go to music festivals.  (Kirsty is a fan of the Big Day Out and helps organise the event in her spare time.)

Not many people can say they love their job but Kirsty is one person who definitely can say that she does.  Working in her field gives her the diverse tasks, responsibilities and challenges that she thrives on.  Requirements demanded by the job include being good with your hands, a solid technical ability and good with maths and science.

Kirsty’s talents and strengths will transfer well outside of the broadcasting industry should she ever choose to try something new.  The defence and telecommunications industries would probably be very interested in Kirsty’s qualifications and abilities if she were available.  Who knows what the future holds?

Even if Kirsty is not ‘the’ star of the show, she certainly is ‘a’ star of the show.  Without the involvement of her and her team, the show simply could not go on!