#1 The Deep End
The reality of the Events industry
“Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”- Confucius.
I am into the fourth week of my Events/PR internship at Perth Fashion Festival where I have been working one day a week, moving to two days this week.
To gain some experience and figure out what I want to do when I graduate, I took up some events work experience a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Since then, I’ve continued to work in the field and feel I have found my ‘niche’. For a lot of people, working in Events seems glamorous and lots of fun, but in reality it is very hard work, fast-paced, demanding and often poorly paid. I am learning this now, more than ever, at my internship with PFF, which is why I feel that the above quote is so relevant. The events industry is one of many that if you wish to work and succeed in, you really need to love what you are doing. Even though I haven’t been working with PFF very long, there are a few things that I am learning about ‘the real world’ that really emphasise this quote.
1. The first point is the hours people in the organisation work. This industry isn’t about your standard 9-5 job and defiantly doesn’t offer much separation between your work and private life. PFF employees just about live and breathe the event. In all the days I have worked so far, I have stayed back past my agreed 5.30pm finishing time, with the end of my day getting progressively later and the start time of my day getting progressively earlier. Most people don’t take a break for lunch; they eat at their desk. Possibly popping out for coffee or to pick up some food for 5 minutes when they can.
2. My second point is the importance of organisation and time management. I am beginning to be given work by employees other than my direct manager, which can often get confusing and make me feel a bit all over the place. The events industry is very fast-paced, information is often handed to you verbally and deadlines can be short and adjusted constantly. I have realised it will be imperative I write absolutely everything down, make lists, use sticky-notes, anything that will ensure I remain organised amongst the chaos.
I am looking forward to seeing the result and rewards of an internship that will require great dedication and hard work. “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”- Confucius.
5 comments:
Sounds like you are enjoying your time at PFF! I am also learning that PR will never be a 9-5pm standard working hour job. I have been doing long days too and with little direction but I guess that it is all apart of the learning process. Look forward to seeing the end product (PFF)!
Hi Erin,
PFF sounds like an amazing project to be involved with! I can definitely relate to the points you made about the hours of work and time management in terms of getting work from people other than your supervisor. It seems like PR (especially when starting out) can involved long hours and little to no down time in between. I think the results you get at the end of an event or campaign makes up for this though..including the pride you would feel at having been involved!
Sounds like you're doing well in events and hope you enjoy the rest of your placement leading up to PFF!
Sounds like you are getting some really good experience in the field! I've been helping out with PFF at PPR and from what I can tell, they do a really good job of keeping on top of things there. Enjoy the rest of your placement!
Hi guys, thanks for your comments. Its nice to hear that other people are in the same boat as me!
Carrie you make a good point about how the results you get at the end make up for it-
My first events work experience I worked one day a week for 4 months preparing for one of Pert's top charity balls. On the night I stood at the back of the room and felt this amazing sense of excitement, satisfaction and happiness. I think that is what its all about!
Hope you all get involved with PFF this year!
Sounds like you have a great opportunity! I am working in events too and the amount of minor deadlines, and verbal information is crazy. So much work goes on behind the scenes to ensure events run smoothly!
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