Since reading her first bulletin for Nova in Melbourne - on her 21st birthday, no less - the journalist went on to build a successful career in both on radio and TV, landing a regular spot on Rove Live back in 2006 before going on to score her current ''dream job'' co-hosting on The Project.

Along the way she stepped into the world of reality television as host of Ten's ill-fated So You Think You Can Dance and despite the series' failure (as it comes to an end it’s still to find a large audience), managed to emerge even more popular.

And 10 years on, now Gold Logie-nominated Bickmore shows no signs of slowing down.

''There have been many times when opportunities have come up that have never crossed my mind,'' Bickmore admits, pointing to SYTYCD as just one example.

''But I always live by the attitude you should say yes - have a crack, and not be too scared to take chances.''

For Bickmore, who was raised by her single mother, having a ''crack'' at the competitive world of TV was never something she particularly aspired to.

After moving to Melbourne at 21, the media graduate admits she was just pleased to land a job on radio, a role she says she hoped she'd stay in ''forever''.

''Doing TV was never my end-goal,'' she explains.

''I always thought if I did end up [there], it would be in a news reporting role; reading the news very much in a straight capacity. Certainly not in the job I'm in now.''

But life has a way of throwing curve balls, something Bickmore knows only too well.

Away from the cameras, while her career was strengthening, her personal life was often a struggle. Her partner Greg Lange, who she'd first met while working in radio in Perth, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2001.

The couple had a son, Ollie in 2007, but Greg died in 2010.

''I kind of feel like you never know what life is going to throw at you,'' she says. ''I have had so many moments along the way where I'm like, 'God, I just did not expect that to happen'.''

Fortunately, she says, the industry she didn't think she would end up in, has supported her through it all.

''There have been lots of different people along the way [who have helped me],'' she explains. ''Obviously, in more recent years, Roving Enterprises [the team responsible for Rove Live and The Project], Rove, Craig [Campbell] and the guys there, were a huge part of my professional life and supported me all the way along.

''But years before that, when I first started in radio in Perth, the news director of [Perth radio station] 92.9 … gave me my first job and I'm not sure what he saw, but he just kept backing me and pushing me.

''He is probably the first person who gave me the sense, 'I can do something here, and achieve great things'.''

This confidence also gave Bickmore the courage to continue to pursue her professional goals, even after having Ollie.

At 27, she was a comparatively young mum - and there were plenty who told her things would be tough.

''When I fell pregnant, I had just started working on Rove, and one of the ladies in the industry that I bumped into said, 'It's a big call, having a baby when you've just started working [on the show],'' Bickmore says.

''She said, 'Gosh, it's hard to be a woman and have babies and be in this industry.'

''There was something in the way she said this that made me go, 'I'm even more determined now.'

''Of course women can have babies, and of course we can stay in the industry - of course!'' she laughs.

''Instead of scaring me off, it fired me up even more.''

A testament no doubt to the role model she had in her mother, who she lauded on air earlier this year in response to Senator Cory Bernardi's claims that children raised in non-traditional families were somehow worse off.

Bickmore was quick to respond, saying: ''I grew up in a non-traditional family and I'm currently raising a son in a non-traditional family, so he can get stuffed.''

Now that life has settled down somewhat for Bickmore - she is currently dating Project producer Chris Walker, and is looking forward to the next challenge. Possibly one inspired by her time on So You Think You Can Dance.

Spending much of her adolescence at dance classes in Perth, Bickmore admits it was fun to juggle her ''serious side'' on The Project, with dance.

''I have great support network around me, so I should be OK,'' she said.

''[So You Think You Can Dance was] only one night off The Project, so it didn't add too much time away [from my son], which is a real concern for me,'' she explains.

''But he came to watch too. He loves dancing and singing. Maybe one day he can fulfil the dream that I never could!''

The Project, weekdays, Ten, 6.30pm