Interview with Kerry Green

Photo by Jana Adzic

Could you tell me a little about what your role as Head of Communication involves?

I’m more of an administrator now than an academic, which is a bit sad, because I do miss the academic activities—for that reason I’ve decided I will course coordinate at least one course per semester to stay in touch.

My job is to make sure that resources to the university are efficiently and fairly distributed amongst the various strands and to ensure the uni runs efficiently and effectively, that staff are developed to their potential and students are given the best opportunity to learn.

What do you think you bring to the role of Head of Communication?

Skills in managing an organisation and an understanding of why things work and don’t work. The economics degree is very good for that. One of the best things that happened to me was undertaking my economics degree. I did one of the classical economics degrees and consumer theory was a really heavy part of it. It made me realise that society doesn’t work efficiently unless efficient communication to all consumers is available.

I also bring managerial skills to the position because over the years I was editor of a daily newspaper and, for more years than I care to remember, I was chief of staff of two other daily newspapers and that requires a lot of managing of resources as well as people—so I think that’s something that I do bring to the School. I should rephrase that—I hope its something that I bring to the School!

Are there any changes scheduled for the School of Communication as part of your appointment?

Some. We’re introducing the Bachelor of Media Arts degree next year, which replaces the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Multimedia studies, which I think is a good idea. I see convergence as a really big issue in communication and the Bachelor of Media Arts addresses that really well.

We’re also introducing the Bachelor of Public Relations degree and I think that’s important as well.

It’s important to focus our degrees on job outcomes, but more so on the industry and research into the industry. It's easier to do that when you have a specific degree for a specific outcome.

We’re also looking at introducing a joint degree with the School of Marketing which will be a Bachelor of Marketing and Communication and I think that’s important because it brings together two really important Schools in society. We’re hoping to make it small numbers but very high quality.

The job market is so competitive these days, what edge do you think the UniSA School of Communication gives to graduates?

It gives graduates focus. When undertaking degrees here students have a really good idea of what’s in store for them in industry and really provides well honed skills. That other thing that should come out of a degree should be either work experience or internship and a portfolio.

Students should compile a portfolio from year one—going out to industry with a large, hefty, varied portfolio. Students certainly get the opportunity to do that with the courses here. They are well- focused and we’re fine tuning that from 2008 by disaggregating the Bachelor of Arts into individual degrees that will mean they’ll be more focused on job outcomes.

And lastly, any words of wisdom you can share with students?

Oh yes—get as much work experience as you can! Get out there in the industry, build your portfolio and of course, work for The Warbler. One of the things I love about this University is that it has Orrmulum, The Warbler and Piping Shrike for people to get their teeth into and really do some work.