Noosa District State High School Year 11 social and community studies students have thoroughly enjoyed a visit from Hot 91.1 FM’s morning crew Sam Coward and Ashlea Gierke.
Mr Coward and Ms Gierke, ‘Sam and Ash,’ as they are affectionately known on the radio, spoke to the students about their careers in radio and provided the students with advice regarding life post-school.
Mr Coward told the students his parents wanted him to be an ophthalmologist, and he faced immense pressure to achieve well at school.
An intentional non-submission of a final physics assignment meant that Mr Coward did not receive the grade required for tertiary entry into ophthalmology.
“I decided to try out for NIDA instead, because that was where my passion lay, and as fate would have it, I failed at the one thing I really wanted to do. I didn’t get in,” Mr Coward said.
A radio gig was a career Mr Coward had not considered, but the position was offered to him due to his involvement with the Sunshine Coast performing arts in the capacity of director, producer and actor.
“It sounded like a good gig, I decided to give it a go, and haven’t looked back,” Mr Coward said.
The early morning starts required for breakfast radio are not difficult for Ms Gierke who spent 15 years training in the pool in the lead up to World Cup and Olympic swimming events.
“Unlike Sam, I always knew I wanted to do radio, and I was lucky to score my first job on radio at 21 years of age,” Ms Gierke said.
Ms Gierke advised the students to follow their passions and to find a job they love.
“The day I leave radio is the day I no longer have any passion for it,” Ms Gierke said.
The Year 11s were thrilled to have the morning crew in their classroom for the morning, with student Paige Doran stating this was “the lesson of the year.”
“We learnt so much and their banter was hilarious,” Paige said.
Guest speakers are providing the students with important insights into the world of work this term, with a presentation from the Australian Defence Force and NDSHS graduate Lexi Kehl scheduled for later this week.
