Career Summary:

Claire Corbel is a Media & PR Specialist at Nintendo, where she leverages her deeply rooted humanities toolkit to navigate the fast-paced world of interactive media.  Prior to joining Nintendo, Claire was the Senior Account Executive at technology and pop-culture specialist communications agency, Double Jump Communications.

Claire completed her Bachelor of Media Communication specialising in Journalism in 2020. During her time as a student, Claire actively pursued opportunities in internship, clubs and societies. As a Reporter for MOJO News - the student-run organisation within Monash Journalism - she contributed stories and further honed her journalistic skills. After completing a student internship for Double Jump Communications, she was offered a full-time role. Since 2019, she has worked as a Contributor for Cultured Vultures, where she authors a diverse range of content, covering various gaming and pop-culture topics,

In 2017, Claire received the Premier's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Media Studies, and in 2019 she was awarded the Monash Arts Award for Best First Year Student in Journalism Specialisation, acknowledging her early excellence in the field. In 2020 Claire was presented the Vallejo Gantner Memorial Travel Scholarship by Monash Arts, allowing her to volunteer abroad in Nepal.

Career Pathway:

2024- Media & PR Specialist, Nintendo
2020- Senior Account Executive, Double Jump Communications
2020 - Student Intern, Double Jump Communications
2020 - Bachelor of Media Communication, Monash University
2020 - Present - Contributor, Cultured Vultures
2019 - Writer, MOJO News

Why did you choose to study the Bachelor of Media Communication at Monash?

Choosing the course you want to undertake at uni can be daunting, but if you have a passion for media and its ability to connect us by telling stories, I reckon the Bachelor of Media Communications is a great fit. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by our human knack for storytelling. VCE Media Studies was my outlet because I loved learning about how media unites us with the rest of the world. So when I heard the BMC was being launched at Monash Uni the year after I completed Year 12, the decision to enrol was, luckily for me, a no-brainer.

My Mum, who came with me to the course information night, still jokes that I chose Monash over other universities because I fell in love with the libraries here. There may be a tiny bit of truth to that, but in all seriousness, it was the student culture, the facilities, and course flexibility that indicated I was meant to complete my Tertiary studies here. And I’m so glad that I did.

Tell us about your university experience. 

I enrolled in the Bachelor of Media Communications with a specialisation in Journalism, to start off my first year in 2018. Immediately, I was thrilled by the scope of units offered. With my specialisation leading me to the more journalism-oriented side, I completed units in Lifestyle Journalism, Newsroom Reporting, Courtroom Reporting, Podcasting, Video Editing, Public Forums, the list goes on. While my friends in other degrees were writing essays, I was tasked with attending shows from the Melbourne Comedy Festival and submitting a review, or reading live from a bulletin in a mock television studio, or designing a page for a magazine, or interviewing a lovely student from a local special school (I bragged a lot about how amazing my assignments were). I garnered a plethora of skills in reporting, interviewing, writing and content production, alongside some more creative assignments I had to complete for my core Media modules. I remember for one group task, we called ourselves the Tin Foil Hats and set about meticulously analysing YouTube trends and the dangers of clickbait content. It was pretty great.

What was the teaching experience like?

It wasn’t just the assignments that I remember so fondly, but the wonderful lecturers and tutors I was lucky to have. Experienced masters of their craft, with years of industry knowledge under their belt and most importantly, the enthusiasm to support and encourage their students. Alicia McMillan was a standout for me. She took on a lot of my broadcast journalism units, and I am still amazed by her diligence and passion in guiding us to be our very best.

What other opportunities did Monash provide for professional development?

Being a huge nerd, it was my dream to find a job in the video games industry, so in my final year, I sought an internship at the public relations agency, Double Jump Communications. Monash does set students up with fantastic internships, and has some amazing connections with the biggest media companies in Australia and overseas, but as my interests were so niche, I relied on my unit coordinators to help set me up for credit. The staff were fully supportive and responsive.

How has your journey looked post-graduation? 

I completed my degree in Semester 1 of 2022. Shortly after completing my internship at Double Jump, I was fortunate enough to be offered a part-time role, and later a full-time position once I finished my studies. Now, I get to immerse myself in an industry I love every day, working with journalists and influencers to connect well-known gaming and tech brands to Australian audiences. While my time in PR has been exciting and invaluable, and I work with the best team in the world, my heart is still set on being a journalist.

What advice do you have for prospective students? 

You might be set on where you see yourself in your career, you might have a vague idea or no idea at all. But no matter what, it’s so important for you to embrace the unexpected opportunities. If you open yourself to it and stay curious and passionate, you’re going to encounter experiences that you never imagined. And when it comes to selecting your degree? The answer’s surprisingly simple: Choose what you love. You might not know what it is, yet, and that’s okay. But if you ever feel really stuck, think: what revs you up? What change do you want to see in the world? And most importantly, what brings you joy? Because it's the joy in what we do that has the power to bring change, however small. For me, it’s listening to stories and giving them a voice. It’s meeting new people and experiencing new things. And spending my Friday nights playing the newest Zelda game.