AFTRS graduate Grant Maling: “I’m loving what I’m doing”

Life has been a juggling act at times for ARN journalist and AFTRS graduate Grant Maling.

Growing up at La Perouse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Grant says he’s always known who he was, and who he wanted to come across as.

“I think that’s something I’ve taken with me from a very young age,” Grant tells The Good Content Monthly.

But the school years proved a struggle at times, and at one stage, Grant retreated to his bedroom and started playing video games.

“It was my way of getting away from the world,” he says.

Around year nine, Grant became involved with Koori Radio in Redfern.

Grant says its program for Aboriginal kids to explore their radio career options proved a real eye opener.

“It never really occurred to me that it could be a job. I was just like – I like to talk. I have a lot of opinions. Let’s talk on radio,” he says.

After a few years, Grant decided to take the next big step towards forging a radio career.

He applied for the AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting.

“I was lucky enough to be selected,” he says.

Gaining an AFTRS scholarship provided the perfect opportunity for Grant to start his journey.

A six week regional radio internship followed.

“It gave me a lot of confidence,” Grant says.

“Now I’m at a place where I am loving who I am and what I do and how I interact with people, both on air and socially.”

“I think radio has definitely helped in that journey.”

The AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting is a hands-on course for emerging broadcasters, podcasters and radio producers with flexible options to study on-campus or online and to choose between 1-4 subjects per semester.

More details here.