Shayan Shankar is a final year journalism student studying at Monash University. Born and raised as a proud Melburnian, Shayan comes from a multicultural background that includes parts Tamil and parts Spanish (yet he confesses to be proficient in neither of those languages).

As a keen purveyor of the written word, his enjoyment of the fine art stems from reading the works of Hunter S. Thompson, as prescribed by his high school teachers. Though less gonzo in his own approach, Shayan has spent time interning at various publications including The Age, though rates a summer spent in China with the Shanghai Daily as both exhilarating and rewarding.

Along with completing his studies he currently he works for World Vision Australia within the finance and banking department, and has a desire to continue working with NGOs in the future. In addition to his professional and academic life, Shayan is a self-proclaimed sporting czar, a pianist and a music aficionado.

As a member of the Press Gallery covering the 2015 Youth Parliament, Shayan is honoured to be part of the program, which showcases young Victorians speaking on the issues that matter to them. Whilst a fantastic opportunity to further his own skills as an aspiring journalist, Shayan has no doubt that Youth Parliament will be an invaluable learning experience for all.

Contact Details:
Email: shayan.shankar@ymca.org.au
Twitter: @shankar02