Getting on my track...

I can't believe that time goes so fast and I almost done my internship even that will be the end of my final semester! Actually during these weeks I did my most work in the office of DEC, which the Department of Environment and Conservation, also the sector of WA Naturally Publications, sometimes I feel like I really want to do one media release or event management for them, but they already update their latest version, especially the post on their official Twitter and Facebook page; which for their preparation for Perth Royal Show 2012.

 

I did one report about how we are going right now, our current situation, and what we have done so far. Talking about these, we have hold two workshops successfully, which one for internal desk staff and the other one for the existing clients.

 

Although I spent my most time stay in the office and did my work by facing the computer, I didn’t feel boring or disappointed about that. I found one really helpful thing is, those theories and modules that I learned from the tutorials and lectures of PR and Marketing are really useful and helpful.

 

I have already sent online customer survey, desk staff survey inside of DEC, and client survey which target Western Australia and outside Australia area; and receive results of these surveys successively by this month. Furthermore, I also did one draft communication strategy for all the desk staff and the existing clients which for DEC.

 

The Perth Royal Show will start this Saturday and I went to the venue yesterday to help my supervisor and other volunteer. Our venue is full of Aussie style decorates and we built several posters and frame, even the species of trees exhibition. We are going to introduce our department and our WA Naturally Publications during the show, also I will be there! This is the first time that I’m excited about one real event after I did so many units in PR! I’m looking forward to participating our department’s show in the next few days!

Nearing the end

So I am now finishing up my second last week. Only one week and a day left. I can’t believe I’m nearly done. I’ve really gotten used to the habit of coming into the city three times a week. I’ve really enjoyed the girls I’ve worked with and the things I’ve been able to see and attempt to do.

Unfortunately though as it’s the holidays many of the people that we would normally liaise with are away, or if not the media can’t be bothered covering it. And it’s also quiet season… everyone is fishing for stories but none of them seem to really appeal. When I first started the whales were an issue, there was lead and nickel issues but for some reason January was absolutely dead. Like seriously, nothing much to do for most people here. I was fortunate enough to be able to be working on the Tidy Towns project which is to be launched on Friday the 13th, so it’ll be exciting seeing it all come together... although it does mean I have to drive to Bunbury …

Meanwhile I’ve still been plodding along on my report. There hasn’t really been much else to do for me though and it’s sad that I have to leave now, just as one of the other ladies starts to gear up to organise the State Environment Awards. It’s a real pity in fact as I am quiet interested in the organizational and management aspect of events. I guess that just means I’ll have to find another internship during term time.

So with my second last blog I wish everyone luck with their internships, whether you are mid way through, starting or just about to. It’s a blast and whilst there may be quiet times with nothing much to do, ask ask and ask again until you get something to do. If all else fails ‘network’ and by that I mean chat to your co-workers!

Until next time,

Camilla

Nearly there

Well with only two weeks left i'm excited and sadened.
Some days though I'm just not too sure if I'm cut out for it, especially when it's a day devoted to sitting in front of my computer writing my report. Ah! My body it seems is not too keen on me sitting in front of a screen all day, it makes it sooo hard to focus on my work.. when I don't have a report day though things are going pretty well.
Last week we weren't too busy so I was able to take calls on the media line and write up the responses. Alot of things here relate to 'contentious' issues, so I haven't been able to do them. But lately as everyone is getting to know me better more and more responsibility has been given to me.
The Tidy Towns project is still going strong and now i've completed the Ministerial Statement adn it's currently going throught the approvals processes. My feature story has also been through all the stages and i'm now just waiting for the deadline date to send it off.

Something completley off track though that I just can't get my head around is 'casual fridays'. (For those who don't know this it is when every friday you can come in 'casual' clothes... half of the buildings on St. Georges Terrace do this and half dont) This may just be because i'm not a big jeans wearer... But I find it so bizarre seeing people in kind of formal casual clothes... no one else really seems to get it either and some people come dressed wwwaaayyy casual.
I take the slackers way out and still come in work clothes. Even if I don't do everything I may as well look the part, no?

anyways, my head is jumbled from work so I best be off.

ttfn

Settling in

Hey all,

My name's Camilla and I'm from the Curtin Bentley Campus. Im currently a little under half way through my internship at the Department of Environment and Conservation in the Public Affairs office and I've got to say, so far so good!

I've now settled into a semi routine and have found a little niche for myself. All the girls that I work with are really lovely and welcoming of me and when I initally started here were really nice in trying to find jobs for me to do.

Nowadays though I have several things on the go (how exciting!). I am currently working on two projects, one for my boss, an individual assignment he gave me when I started that could be a 'continuous project' as it initally seemed that I would be doing lots of little things. For this project he has asked me to write a report on the past few months media releases, analysising the coverage they got, who picked them up, why the picked it up, what worked and what didn't. It's a really interesting project and I was quiet enthusiastic about it initailly, however as time goes on the enormity of it kind of scares me. As I started in December, I chose to analyise the months of October and Novemeber. In each of these months DEC released approx 15 statements... some of which generated over 15 inquiries or follow ups.. each of which i need to assess, read, work out the angle etc etc etc... some of the articles are just straight cut and paste with a new byline, whilst others can be completly irrelevant or on a different track which then leads to more questions. AH! Let's just say i'm pretty sure this is something I could spend the whole internship doing. And as I want to turn in a good report it is rather worrying. Paper work and electronic files are EVERYWHERE. eeeppp.

In other news, my other project is one which i'm really enjoying and which all the other girls I work with find sooo boring and pity me for. It's possibly the novelty of the task but either way i'm making the most of it.

So what is it?

Well, in my second week one of the ladies asked me if I could draft up a media release announcing the start of an annual project (Tidy Towns). So I started the draft, and then got sent a bunch of archival footage as it turned out this year was their 40th anniversary. So then my release breif got changed to a release on the history (basic) and the start. Then things changed again, and they decided to have a launch party. As I had read all the archival stuff I was invited along, and as one thing has lead to another, we have written up a complete communications plan for the year. We're liasing with the Tidy Towns workers so organise the launch, which fingers crossed, will have the Minister for the Environment opening it, I've drafted media releases(MR) for calls for memoribilia, announcing the launch, writting backgrounders, also I'm currently attempting to write a Ministerial Statement (epp!) as well as contacting some magazines for possible feature story placements.
For each magazine the angle of the story has to be different, and now that we have worked out the angles I'm attempting to draft feature stories.

So wow. What started off as a single MR is now a whole lot bigger!!

What I find most daunting though is that all the people here used to be journos... so they all know how to write, and how to write well. Me on the other hand... well I always felt I would do more event based PR as I love organising, and lists and the like, so I was never too bothered about my release skills... this internship is definately being a test for me.

One of the things said to me by the girl in the cubical next to me has been a god send though. In regards to writting media releases she said, "I never worry if it's not perfect, the chain of approval that it goes through, and the amount of times it gets changed, what you send out is never what you started with." Most reassuring indeed.

Anyways, that's it from me now!