How I Got Here: Sammy Rose
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Admit it, we’ve all been there—deep dive stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you wanted to know about the secrets of career success.
Here journalist, newsreader, podcaster, dog mum, and fashion and beauty blogger Sammy Rose shares how she became Canberra’s muti-hyphenate superstar.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I am Sammy Rose. Journalist and Digital Content Producer for Mix 1063, Canberra’s leading commercial radio station. I’m the newsreader for CBR Wrapped with Rod and Gabi on your drive home, and before that Wilko and Bronte.
I also work for Hit 104.7 radio station as a presenter, newsreader and writer. I’m the co-host of a foodie podcast called Served with Sammy & Mick, and I’ve worked with Canberra United and Capital Football as a ground announcer, and Brumbies Rugby. I’m also a fashion and beauty blogger, working with national and international brands like Frankie 4, Daniel Wellington, QT Hotels, Best & Less, Dyson and Lâncome.
I also have the pleasure of acting as an ambassador for the local RSPCA, promoting their amazing work in protecting our furry, fluffy and feathered friends. My most important job of all is being a dog mum to my extremely stylish corgi.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I was always a creative kid, and loved expressing myself. From a young age I’d disappear in my room for hours creating things, writing stories and songs, and dressing up. Looking back through our family photo albums I’m always wearing some plastic pearls round my neck, a brooch or butterfly clips in my hair.
I did lots of writing and loved English at school, particularly public speaking, so working in the media as a journalist had always been one of my dreams. My mum would drive me all around regional New South Wales to compete in public speaking competitions, Eisteddfods and theatre programs.
My parents were also quite strict when it came to television in our house so my sisters and I were only allowed to watch the 7 o’clock news on the ABC with Dad before dinner. That’s when my girl crush on Virginia Haussegger began. I mean can you blame me? She’s fabulous. I think I was always destined to do something creative, and had only hoped that one day I might get the chance to be a journalist.
Tell us about when you were first starting out. What set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
I was a late bloomer in the media industry. Out of school I went and studied law at uni. Looking back on it now I knew deep down it wasn’t what I was most suited for, but I’d been told for years that it was really hard to get a job in the media industry, and I’d found my whole year 12 experience very overwhelming. I think it was easier for me to do what I thought everyone ‘expected’ me to do.
I didn’t last long and before I knew it I was back working with my mum and dad at our family’s cafe, which was great for developing my communication skills. I did that for a few years before realizing that I needed a change and decided to go back to uni and study journalism. I knew straight away I was in the right place, and although it was daunting going back to uni and feeling like I was ‘behind’ everyone else when it came to having my life together, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
While at uni I continued working on my Instagram account and finding connections in the media and PR industry which was also great for building up my experience and diversifying my skills.
I think I had a point to prove to myself, and to my friends and family. I wanted to prove that I’d made the right decision going back to uni, and I wanted to be good at whatever job I did. I wanted to make my mum and dad proud.
I got my first job at Canberra FM when I knocked on the front door asking for a chance to intern. There were no internships available but there was a job going in the Hit Squad, and after a group interview and a trial I got the job. If you’re not sure what the Hit Squad is, it’s the people who drive around in the station cars giving away freebies and dropping prizes at people’s houses.
After working in the Hit Squad for a few months there was an opening in the newsroom, and I was approached by the News Director about possibly starting on a casual basis. Soon enough I was working more often in the newsroom than the Hit Squad, when a full-time position came up. I really wanted it. Although I was still studying full-time at uni I knew I could make it work, while still commuting back and forth from Goulburn.
Long story short, my Content Director Rod Cuddihy took a chance on the rookie journo who hadn’t qualified at uni yet, and I started on as a full-time journalist and newsreader. I will always be grateful that Newsroom Director Katarina Slavich and Rod saw something in me and chose me over other journos who definitely had the skills and experience. It all happened very quickly and it was quite surreal at the time. It was so strange that I was now going to be one of the voices I would’ve heard driving back and forth from Goulburn.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
When I first started as a full-time journalist I was still studying full-time at UC while living at Mum and Dad’s property outside of Goulburn. Starting at any new job can be overwhelming on its own, but throw in a uni degree, and two and a half hours of commute time and there were days when I was a wreck.
I didn’t take care of myself, I wasn’t eating well or getting enough sleep. As the newbie in the newsroom I wanted to prove that I’d been the right choice for the job, and would often stay back for hours making sure the prep for the next day was completed to the best of my ability. I’d simply tell myself the harder times would pass, it would get easier, and eventually, it did.
What was your biggest break?
As I mentioned previously, my Content Director Rod Cuddihy took a chance on the rookie journo who hadn’t qualified at uni yet, and I started on as a full-time journalist and newsreader.
I would also consider working with Neil Wilcock and Courtenay Kneen (Wilko and Courts) on the afternoon drive show one of my big breaks. They were both very patient when I would fill in for their regular newsreader Renee Bogatko, and always great at providing constructive feedback.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My mum and dad always told me that when it comes to work and achieving what you want to achieve in life you need to look after you. Advocate for yourself. As a woman we’re always told to keep the peace and go with the flow, or otherwise you might be labeled bossy. I’m lucky I was raised in a house with three sisters and we were all encouraged to reach for the stars (as cheesy as that sounds, and it was such a banger song at primary school assemblies). You’ve got to say what you want and go for it, you can’t count on someone else giving it to you.
At Canberra FM I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some of the best in the business. When I first started news reading I put on a super-low deep voice, trying to sound like all the newsreaders I’d grownup watching and listening to. Neil Wilcock aka Wilko, took me aside one day and told me I didn’t need to try to be something I wasn’t. I should be myself. Since then I’ve tried to adopt that theory to everything I do at work. I was chosen for my job because of who I am and the work that I do, not because I’m imitating those around me or others in the industry.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love that we have the opportunity to tell people’s stories. There are so many amazing people doing incredible things and I love making their stories known. It’s a privilege being able to inform our listeners, and that’s a job I don’t take lightly.
There have been days when I’ve wanted to pull my hair out, like any job. The media industry can be very competitive, and bring out the worst in people. There have been instances in the past where I’ve been treated poorly by people who have considered themselves ‘personalities’, there can be a bit of snobbery around it all. As a country girl from Goulburn, that side of things has never appealed to me. We’ve all got our own stuff going on and I’ve never understood arrogance.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
Every morning I do a sweep of all the news websites, starting with what’s on our website at Mix 106.3. I also check Facebook and Instagram which is often where we see stories first. I check my emails first thing when I wake up for media releases that may have popped into my inbox overnight. I also listen to news podcasts on my commute to work, and when I’m walking my dog Archie in the morning.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’m not sure yet. I love Canberra and my current job but if a great opportunity came up elsewhere I might consider it. Life is short and I’m always eager to give myself new challenges and expand my skills.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I think people should follow in my footsteps by being fearless. No matter what industry or job you’re dreaming of, you’ve just gotta go for it. What have you got to lose? At the end of the day, what’s the worst that can happen? They say no, and you move on.
If I hadn’t knocked on the door at Canberra FM with no invitation (and multiple copies of my resumé in my hand) I wouldn’t be where I am today.
What advice would you give your past self?
My dad always used to say to me ‘Don’t let the wood ducks win’ and I think that’s something I’d remind myself of. In other words, don’t let the thoughts and opinions of people get in the way of what you want to do.
There will be times when you feel overwhelmed and out of place, but deep down you’ll know that you’ve earned your spot, and as long as you continue to work hard things will work out just fine.
Feature image: Nomad Photography.
