Myoung Jae Yi is constantly on the lookout for new creative challenges and for him, the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting at AFTRS ticked all the boxes.

“I’m a musician. I’ve always loved audio. I’ve been listening to the radio all my life – starting with the top 40 hits on 2SM back in the early 80s,” he smiles.

The only thing standing in the way was geography.

Myoung lives and works in Bega on the New South Wales South Coast – over 500 kilometres from AFTRS HQ in Sydney.

Distance, however, wasn’t an issue.

Not only was Myoung accepted into the course, he was able to study online.

“Firstly, the fact that I could do the course part-time was really important,” says Myoung, who manages a local bookstore in Bega and is also the Creative Director of the Headland Writers Festival.

Given he lives over five hours’ drive away from Sydney, Myoung says “That I could study at AFTRS online was the crucial part.”

It opened up a world of possibilities he may otherwise have never had the chance to explore.

Myoung says the remote study option gave him the flexibility to immerse himself in the course both online and, when he could, in person.

“I could join an online classroom and also have the opportunity to visit as well, for certain electives.”

“It just made a lot of sense to me.”

Ultimately, it also brought him work in both radio and podcasting.

During Myoung’s second semester, his AFTRS lecturer Andrea Ho set up an interview with his local ABC radio station, which in turn led to an internship.

“So whilst I was studying for the majority of my course, I was interning once a week at the ABC and learning on the job,” he says.

“It was great to see that all the theory that we were learning just happening before my eyes.”

“It was such a fantastic opportunity because not only was I in the room, learning from professionals while I was studying, I was also offered a casual role by November that year.”

Today, Myoung happily juggles his bookstore duties with his casual job as a breakfast producer at ABC South East NSW and his freelance podcast work.

Myoung, who produces a branded podcast for a local business, says “From my learnings from the course, just focusing on the people and the audience in the Bega Valley … that was so crucial in what has been a pretty successful podcast.”

“I’ve had people coming up to me in the street and saying ‘Oh, I loved your latest episode.’”

Myoung says the assignments he did as part of his AFTRS studies laid the foundation for the radio work he does now.

“We would do audience surveys of the place we lived in,” says Myoung. “It was really interesting to see the make up of people in the Bega Valley Shire and really hone in on what they wanted to hear on the radio.”

“That really prepared me for working at our local ABC station here in Bega.”

Studying at AFTRS was an eye opener for Myoung. Every opportunity and experience, he devoured.

“The staff were exceptional,” says Myoung. “I think of it as a really good balance of the theory of radio and broadcasting and podcasting, and also the practice. It introduced me to a lot of different styles of podcasting.”

Another major benefit of his AFTRS studies was the industry contacts he made. Myoung says he was even fortunate enough to meet ABC presenter James O’Brien and have him aircheck his assignments.

Myoung recently visited the AFTRS campus on Open Day to take part in the Careers Panel discussion. He now looks forward to speaking at the online Postgrad Info Night next month, in the GDRP session.

Natalie Pozdeev, Program Convenor – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting says “If you’re thinking about studying radio and podcasting at AFTRS, our Postgrad Info Nights are the perfect opportunity to explore how the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting can fit into your life and career goals.”

“Whether you’re looking to upskill, change direction, or take your storytelling to the next level, these personalised sessions will give you a real sense of what it’s like to study at AFTRS – from our hands-on, industry-focused approach to the support available throughout your journey.”

“And for people like Myoung who live outside of Sydney and prefer a remote study option, this is your chance to hear from someone firsthand about the experience.”

As Myoung himself says: “The course has been invaluable to me.”

The AFTRS Postgrad Info Nights will be held in person on Tuesday 2 September or online Wednesday 3 September. Find out more here.