Hi everyone,
My name is Jayde and I have recently started an internship at Curtin Volunteers! as the Communications Officer.
I always love working for Not For Profit organisations as I feel that it is an opportunity to give back to the community whilst utilizing and improving your skill set. This is one of the reasons why i chose to do my placement at Curtin Volunteers! I have worked in Not For Profit organisations before and even though the money is not as competitive as the corporate or private sector, I always find it more rewarding.
I'm hoping that this placement will be the same!
My role in the organisation is to streamline all communication and messages that leave the organisation. This includes monitoring social media, writing and editing content for the website and newsletters and writing media releases.
The role of communications officer was only introduced to Curtin Volunteers! at the beginning of this year which means that previously all of the communication leaving the organisation was anything but uniform and promoting a consistent message!
In my first week I went through and edited the website. This was a time consuming, but essential task! The content that was on the website was written by an array of different people, all with differing writing styles and idea's on what is appropriate grammar and spelling!
It was amazing to see how differently a website is portrayed to its audience when it is written be a single person, in a uniform style. You can check out the new website content at www.cv.curtin.edu.au
I'm finding it extremely fascinating to see how the organisation works as it is purely student/volunteer run (except for three paid positions). Due to a lack of funds they cannot employ as many people as they would like in order for things to run as effectively as possible but the amount that they do with such little resources is incredible!
I am really enjoying my placement so far and feel that i have a lot of ideas and suggestions to help improve the organisation!
Looking forward to any feedback or comments!
Jayde
4 comments:
Hi Jayde,
Wow seems like you're taking the bull with two horns and getting really stuck into your internship - good on you!
I have been interning for a boutique consultancy and have been doing some PR work for the Dogs' Refuge Home in Shenton Park and may I say, I love working for not-for-profit to!
I 100% agree with what you said about giving back to the community as well as being able to develop your own skills! It makes you feel a lot better inside knowing that your time and effort isn't going unappreciated!
It's fantastic seeing your amount of enthusiasm and I hope you have many more interesting and enjoyable times ahead in your internship. I look forward to reading more of your blogs :)
Hi Jayde,
I really liked your blog post, it sounds like your position at Curtin Volunteers is challenging, rewarding and interesting all at the same time. I agree with the idea that working in the not for profit sector is far more rewarding than the corporate or consultancy world. Even though they pay employees at a higher rate. Hence, that was my reasoning for choosing to complete my internship at a not for profit organisation.
I feel the same with working in Public Relations, Not for profit always has been an area that I feel I can use my skills and yet help people at the same time. Most people often do forget that a career in Public Relations can provide a ‘two way’ benefit for those working in PR and those who receive our messages.
It has become apparent that not for profits do experience the same limitations. You mentioned that Curtin Volunteers does not have enough resources to carry out there public Relations practices, this was the same at Western Australian Council of Social Service (where I am completing my internship). There was only one person who was completing the jobs of about 2 or 3 people. It was only recently while I was interning there that they hired a Marketing and Communications Manager to carry out these practices for the organisation. There was often a lot of pressure to get things done on time and efficiently but because of the lack of time and staff it was simply unable to happen.
It is great that you are getting experience on hands on. Sometimes it is better that us students are placed in positions with more responsibilities as we can learn more from these experiences and use what we have learned in the future. It sounds like Curtin Volunteers needs your expertise and experience to help them achieve their goals and it sounds like your doing a great job.
I did complete some volunteer work with Curtin Volunteers a few years ago and I really enjoyed it. All the staff were extremely helpful and I got to meet lots of different people.
I hope your internship goes well for you and I wish you all the best! I will keep following your blog!
Carla ☺
Thanks for your feedback Lisa and Carla!
How exciting that someone is actually reading my blogs!
I'm glad to hear that there are other people out there that share my views on the Not For Profit industry:)
Hi Jayde,
Its always exciting when you get a new task to do that has not been done before by another person isn't it?
I am currently doing my internship at a non for profit and I totally agree with you about giving back to the community and understanding how it all works. Several organisations where I have done some work experience at did not have enough resources to have a dedicated team to just doing PR, but they worked together in their little teams to get it all done.
It sounds like you are really enjoying your time at Curtin Volunteers! I hope it goes well for you!
:)
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