As the semester is coming to an end, so is my placement at The Global Good Foundation (GGF). I am completing my placement part time (now from Melbourne), and am expecting to finish within the next ten days.
As mentioned in a previous Blog, GGF is a not for profit organisation. Now the thing I've noticed with GGF and have picked up from other students working for NFP's, is that there is either nothing to do... or everything!
For example about six weeks ago I decided to move from Perth to Melbourne. Now two weeks before I left I had full time availability to work on tasks for GGF. Over this period there was literally no work sent through to me.. even when i asked for some! We had just had two more work experience students come on board, and were really on top of things.
Unfortunately for me things did pick up.. just as I landed in Melbourne and began house hunting! I did not have the internet for my first week in my new city, and when I was able to log in from internet cafes my inbox was swamped with requests from GGF.
Now 80% of the way through my placement I am more on top of things. But of course there is still a lot of work to do.. just as i'm working frantically on the final report!
Caitlin
4 comments:
Hi Caitlin,
I am too completing my work experience with GGF. When did you start?
I have found that it is quite hard, especially since those at GGF are busy running off their feet with work that, that we get given work to do.
I have gotten odd jobs apart from and within the actual duties assigned to me but those alone take up heaps of time that I try to set aside for my work and uni assignments.
What have you done so far with them? And it is coming to an end all too fast, isn't it?? Well, all the best to you!!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for your response :)
I started with GGF right at the beginning of the semester, and have been working on my placement part time since. It's been a great experience, and I'm really happy to be working for such a great cause. It's a shame I can't sit in on the PR meetings and touch base with everyone! I get my news via email instead :)
I know what you mean about PR work being a challenge. Something that would have been worth 20% of the semester's grade back at uni is now just a morning's work!
Also, a few of my friends in the same situation (completing part time), agree the placement would go much quicker say at a consultancy working 9-5 for 4 weeks straight.
I guess we're both lucky and unlucky in that we are getting more experience by only undertaking specific tasks.. as opposed to the traditional time consuming things interns usually do. ie coffee runs, photocopies etc! It's like the days are condensed into completing only worthwhile tasks.
My work with GGF has changed over the course of my placement, in line with what needed to be done. In the beginning I was writing media kits for upcoming events, and then my work turned more to research orientated tasks.
As mentioned in one of my previous blogs, I've got a fair few work samples from the beginning of the semester, which is exciting because I've got work to show for my time :)
How about yourself? are you enjoying the work?
Caitlin
Hey Cailin,
I just read a few of your blogs!
You poor thing, I can’t imagine having to work from home on the other side of the country.
I have to say that I have really appreciated being able to go into work, report to Sascha (who is my Mentor at the City of Swan) and to be involved in what is going on at the office. It has meant that I have had the opportunity to run my ideas past Sascha as I am working on them and to get constant feedback on my work.
Having said how great it has been, I am rather envious of your ability to stay truly motivated to your project while at home! That must take practice! I am at home this morning writing this up and already I have done 2 loads of washing, tidied the fridge and kitchen, tidied my room, and am considering making a cake before I go to uni! While these are all important task when living out of home, I really need to be working on my PR report…
I think what I am trying to say is that I really admire your ability to work from home, or to gain experience working from home and to stay dedicated to what you are doing.
I guess as you said it helps that you have a passion for your field of work with the GGF; and I understand your passion as I have a slightly similar interest to work with Indigenous communities that have been affected by the Stolen Generation and the ongoing affects felt in remote communities as a result of that and other government policy.
But well done for staying focused while working from home, as it can’t have been easy and I hope you are enjoying Melbourne (I’m sure you must be)!
Much love,
Robyn
I remember doing my consultancy assignment on The Global Good Foundation last semester, and I knew it would be tough for students completing their placements there. After doing so much research on GGF during last semester, I felt as though I was actually working for the organisation, and because we’re all so passionate about our assignments, it’s hard not to feel like ‘one of the team’.
The fact that GGF is still a relatively new organisation would be the number one problem I could see with doing a placement there. They are still finding their feet and are still developing their core business strategies, let alone their core PR strategies. Another factor would have been that there is no permanent office space for students, board members or volunteers to work from, and I can’t imagine how hard it must be to complete tasks over the internet. It would be difficult to ask questions or feedback, and it would be different being at ‘work’ whilst working from the comfort of your own home! Nevertheless it’s all a part of the experience of being in PR!
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