16 years straight of formal education has boiled down to this moment.

When you're going through your degree, you spend a lot of time procrastinating, a lot of time juggling work, study, volunteer work and work experience, and a lot of time trying to imagine what it will be like once you finally have that piece of paper which formally boasts your ability to communicate effectively with a chosen audience (Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Journalism and Public Relations anyone?)

You run and rush and race to get through your degree and then you hit:

                                          the end. 

The only thing left is a void; a giant leap between the stability of the somewhat solid ground (University) and the next closest stable surface (Employment).

Well, that's how I felt before beginning my Internship this year.

Completing an Internship with JumpClimb - Music Management and Events has taught me so much in such a little space of time. I no longer feel like the jump into full-time employment in the Public Relations industry is a large one. In fact, I can't wait to start full time work.

These are the two fantastic individuals who have been such wonderful mentors to me:

I began this degree with my sights set on Journalism. However, with each semester that passed, I learned more about the PR profession and the ability and the PR practitioners have to influence opinion, develop relationships, write creatively and think broadly on a daily basis, and I have certainly come to the dark side.

There is so much Public Relations has to offer within a company, from Crisis Management to dealing with all Stakeholders in an effective and engaging way, to dealing with the press and helping to effectively run major events like The Beaufort Street Festival.

So what did I learn during my time with the small, but incredibly effective JumpClimb team?

1. Offer a smile and the opportunity for others to talk and you will go far
I think this goes without saying in the PR field, but nevertheless. Sometimes all people need is a chance to communicate their ideas first and get things off their chest before you come storming in with big ideas and a corporate mindset. A smile can make someone's day, too. It's one of the most welcoming tools you have at your disposal.

2. Approach EVERYTHING with a can-do attitude, or not at all
No one wants to work with someone who constantly doubts their abilities or their suitability for a particular job. If you give everything your best and you fail, you can at least say that you gave it a go. Everyone makes mistakes and everything is a learning opportunity.

3. Things can go wrong at any second, so issues and crisis management plans are VITAL
Re: The floor collapse at Beaufort Street Festival launch.
Need I say more?

4. The "one in, all in" approach
In a small company, every event requires all hands on deck. Whether you are directly working on an event or not, once it comes to event day, everyone ends up pitching in - not because they are just expected to, but everyone is working for the greater good of the company.


5. Love what you do and things will come naturally
Learn to love what you do. We are in Public Relations because we like writing and being creative, because we are innovative and because we love a challenge. If you learn to love all of these things and love the process, doing things on a day to day business is a breeze.


So as I sit here on the last day of my University degree and the last formal day of my Internship, I can't help but be thankful for the experience JumpClimb has provided me and the opportunity Curtin has provided all PR students by forcing us to undertake Internships as part of our degree.

I have met so many amazing, passionate, committed individuals during my Internship. It really is hard to not be inspired by all the hard work that not only JumpClimb, but everyone involved has put into the amazing events that have occurred over the past four months. From PRIDE to The Aviary Rooftop Sessions to Rottofest and now The Beaufort Street Festival.

I'm going to keep working with the JumpClimb team until The Beaufort Street Festival, which is 8 days away. After that, the team are looking at doing a big debrief and chatting about the future of the Company, which will probably involve the implementation of a formal PR plan! Woohooo.

Also, feel free to pop by The Beaufort Street Festival and poke your head into the JumpClimb office, where I, among some other great people, will be running all the Comms for the day.

Take care and kick butt in the 'real world',
Renee