I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been frustrated by job vacancy ads that demand "experience in the field" as a requirement. How would I ever have the experience if no one gives me the work? I need experience to get work, but I need to do the work to have the experience. Which one comes first? It's the classic chicken and egg argument, isn't it?
That's why I think we need to show appreciation to organisations that give the chance for people to gain some work experience. I'm very thankful to Baptistcare for giving me a go under the wonderful PR & Marketing team. I just finished my 20-day placement and I have gained invaluable experience during that time.
I have had the chance to use and sharpen my writing skills by writing for its quarterly magazine Reaching Out. It has taught me confidence and resilience in communicating with different kinds of people. I have learnt to look at the bigger picture of public relations and communications, both internal and external of an organisation. I have gained some insights into the aged care and disability services industry. Overall, it has given me a taste of working in the real world of professional PR.
Now at the end of my internship, I'm happy to say that the work experience I've gained has resulted in some job offers. I will be working as a freelance writer for Reaching Out magazine and as a casual Human Resources/Marketing officer. The HR/Marketing officer is a newly created role that, as the name suggests, integrates HR and marketing. My tasks will include writing creative job ads that fit with the overall PR theme of Baptistcare, promoting programs/initiatives of the HR department to Baptistcare employees, re-writing procedures/policies in layman language, and bridging communication between the HR team and the PR & Marketing team.
I am excited to assume these roles and see where they would lead me. Hats off to Baptistcare for giving me work experience that opens doors to employment.
6 comments:
Hi Alfinda,
Congratulations on getting a job! I totally understand and agree with your relations on work vs. experience. I so often find myself in this conflict even when searching for a part-time job in retail.
In this time, where the unemployment rate and demand for experiences is increasing, along with tough competitions between fresh graduates, I'm so happy that this placement path has opened new doors for you! I hope you have a great time on this journey in your life.
Best Regards,
Laura Ng
What a great comparison with the chicken and the egg argument! I've never thought of it like that. I completely relate to your discussion of how frustrating it is to find a paying job in our field (though this is relevant for any field of work) without the experience. That's why I respect the importance of this prac unit we are required to do in our PR course.
I also understand the importance of connections, something I remember Nigel saying in my very first PR Principles lecture. It's the power of who you know as well as lots of experience which will help you throughout your PR career. What is ironic is I'm able to do my prac at an Perth organisation because I stayed in contact with a girl in my very first PR unit, who is the assistant director of the organisation!
You are very lucky your placement has ended with gaining contacts and a job, what a great outcome from your prac. You must have made a really great impression on everyone you worked with!
Holly
Thanks Laura and Holly!
All the best with the rest of your internship and the report writing!
Alfinda
Hey Alfinda,
I have also found all those job requirement very annoying. It seems like in the work market now days, there is no way of getting a job as they all require you to get experience from somewhere. We are quite lucky to have the opportunity to do work placement and even work with some real life clients through out our course.
Congratulations on the new job and good luck!
:)
Asvinder
Hi Alfinda!
I totally love the comparison between the chicken and the egg! I think you explain it perfectly how for us graduates that its very difficult to know where to start.
Your post makes me appreciate this unit more and how Curtin allow us to update our CV before we graduate. I also get conflicted when I was just starting to search for interning since the job criteria requires experiment, meanwhile not know where to get experience without the work.
It's all an inception.
I'm very glad that you know what you're doing after you graduate. I'll miss studying with you after we graduate :)
Levia :)
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