Meet: The Beat reporters

Each student’s presenting skills and on-camera charm helped them beat out a pool of other students in the competition to become a ‘Beat’ reporter.

Jessica Swan is pleased to be one of the new crew as it relates directly to her studies as a journalism student at Ara’s New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS).

“Even back in year nine, I knew I wanted to do journalism. That was the dream. I had the opportunity to shadow 1 News reporter Joy Reid, and she was amazing. I thought ‘wow, this is my calling!’.”

This year Jessica is a local government reporter for NZBS’ Metronews, meaning she researches and writes online stories for the student news outlet. 

“I love the 'person' part of it. I love how journalism is all about making connections and meeting people, because I love talking to people.”

Reporting for The Beat is another way for Jessica to build up experience for her chosen career path.

“I thought when I entered the competition, ‘okay, this is my chance. Let me just throw myself into it.’ Also I wanted to invest in the place that's investing in me, you know, I want to give back. And, yeah - I like to know what's going on!”

“I'd rather be an investigative journalist than a news anchor. For me, there is no better and more meaningful career than building relationships with people and trying to expose the truth.”

Last year while in the US Jessica went to the Newseum- a museum for news- and came away confident about the direction she was headed in.

“For journalism, I knew Broadcasting School was the best place to go because everyone I knew in the industry had attended there. I didn't apply anywhere else.”

Ara hospitality student Jasveen Singh Khurana, is also chuffed to be a reporter for The Beat, because as a new international student he saw it as an opportunity to connect with others.

“I thought this could be my thing. I'm new to Christchurch city and this could be a way for me to meet new people."

Jasveen, who’s originally from India said that in college people were pushing him to do drama or get on stage, because of his outgoing, fun personality.

Before he left India to come to study in New Zealand he was connected with a UK-based NGO organisation to help promote their work via video content.

Now he has his own YouTube channel where he makes videos about studying in New Zealand, which he helps will hope other international students.

“The Beat will be great for me to experience. Because my first step is always to look for new things. I'm that kind of guy.”

“If this is creating positivity - yeah, I'm good with that. I just want to spread positive stories.