Jennifer Spiker’s initial introduction to the Australian Film Television and Radio School came during a stroll through a bookstore when she was about 20.
Browsing through the titles, one in particular caught her eye: The AFTRS Guide to Radio Production.
Interested in broadcasting, her curiosity was piqued.
Studying radio at AFTRS was something Jennifer wanted to do. But back then, living in WA, it would have required her to up sticks and move to the other side of the country.
As Jennifer explains, “I just wasn’t in a place in my life where I felt comfortable moving from WA to Sydney on my own.”
Jennifer got her foot in the door with Perth Christian community station Sonshine FM, helping with its youth program. She also studied at the now defunct Academy of Radio in Perth.
After marrying and moving to Queensland, she went on to work both on-air and behind the scenes at community stations around the country, before returning to WA.
Fast forward to 2025 and today – having spent the last eighteen years as a full-time mum, home-schooling her four children – Jennifer is finally fulfilling her dream of studying radio at AFTRS.
She says the flexibility of being able to do this remotely has been a game changer.
“The fact I can now study online with AFTRS from where I am – on the other side of the country – I’m just loving that I am able to do that.”
“Fulfilling that earlier desire I had to study with AFTRS – it was just really satisfying to be able to do that.”
“To be able to learn from people who are in the industry … it just feels like people within the industry really want to keep giving back.”
Jennifer describes the AFTRS experience as invigorating.
“It’s had me thinking about this whole different world. Everything that I’m learning, I’m loving learning.”
“It’s like I had a love of radio put into me. AFTRS has really helped to bring that out again.”
Of her decision to study remotely, Jennifer says “Because there were a lot of changes that had happened over the last eighteen years or so, I felt that it would be really good for me to upskill.”
Jennifer says being the 2024 recipient of CRA Regional Radio Scholarship has made the course viable for her.
It also offers the opportunity for her to immerse herself in several weeks of industry work experience.
“Through that, I’m going to be taking that deep dive into all the different aspects of radio. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
The scholarship has enabled Jennifer to upgrade her home computer to assist with her audio work. She also believes it will help her figure out where in the industry she fits best.
Her advice to others thinking about studying remotely with AFTRS?
“Wherever you are, across the country, you can make it work. You can make it happen.”
“Don’t let anything hold you back. A lot of study can be flexible these days. Achieving your dreams in the audio world can happen from wherever you are.”
Jennifer says she herself is proof that you’re never too old to follow your passion in life.
“Don’t let age hold you back, because it’s an industry where we need people of all different ages to be able to share their ideas and opinions about the world and make a difference through audio work.”