"Adieu, Adieu, to you and you and you..."

Hello once again (and for the final time),

I'm happy to report that while my internship with Marcia Ball for the purpose of this unit is done and dusted, I'll be continuing it indefinitely -- it seems that there is lots to be done now that we are working on revamping Style Voyeur, and now that the Jaime Lee label is growing rapidly thanks to press we received (and are still receiving) for her show at the Perth Fashion Festival.

There were many exciting times during this internship and there are many exciting times ahead. I've learnt a lot about the way the industry functions and how public relations can work (or not work) in an atypical working environment like the one I was in, which was extremely relaxed compared to some of the government departments some of you were at. Even so, I learnt and great deal, especially about myself and my capabilities.

1. Love what you do and it won't be a 'job'. The best kind of work isn't even work -- if you're doing something you're passionate about, it will translate into what you produce. So figure out what you love, and find out what industries will work for you, and then go for it. The rest will come naturally.
2. Sometimes things don't go to plan, and that's okay. Whether it's a big crisis that undermines an entire project or someone who just won't pick up the phone or email you back, you just have to take a deep breath and tackle it as best you can. Some things are just entirely out of your control.
3. The importance of a 'can do, will do' attitude in approaching tasks big and small. Do anything and everything! No task is too small or beneath you -- as an intern, you may have to do things like walk dogs (I'm looking at you, Simon), pick up dry cleaning or update boring databases, but your enthusiasm will show your employer that you're up for anything, and that in turn can and will lead to more responsibility. As for the big tasks, no matter how daunting it seems, it's always better to jump into it and ask the questions you might need to ask than to decline or be unsure. I've learnt that employers often want to know that you're at least willing to do the job, and are happy to help you along whenever they can.
4. A thank you goes a long way, and both ways! An honest "thank you" from your superiors can re-energise you with your tasks and make you feel appreciated for your hard work, but sometimes a "thank you" to your employer also shows them that you appreciate the opportunities they're giving you and the things you're learning from it. Gratitude is key in making the most out of your experiences.
5. No two organisations are the same, and they all operate in very different ways. I was worried before I began my internship that I would not get as much out of it as I would if I were working in a more corporate environment, and I was wrong. My internship environment utilised public relations functions in different ways, and in some cases not at all. That allowed me to assess the brand in ways they hadn't previously been able to assess themselves. At the end of the day I still got a lot out of it, and while I perhaps never wrote a media release or published a marketing strategy, I still learnt a great deal and used public relations in the way I knew how to bring another dimension to an existing brand.

Thanks for reading thus far; I hope you got as much out of your placements as I did. Good luck with anything and everything you decide to do after you graduate, whatever that may be. Judging from your blog posts, I have no doubt we're all capable of going out there and taking the public relations industry by storm. Who knows -- maybe I'll see some of you around!

Good luck for wherever your degree takes you,

Nicole

Is this Goodbye?

Hello fellow placement students!

So we’ve finally reached the near end of our semester and placements! I really do hope that everyone has enjoyed themselves and been the sponge in the workplace soaking up all those skills.

Through my last weeks at Relationships Australia (WA) and completing the final report I’ve come to realize the amount of things that I’ve actually learnt. From writing the section about our placement summary in the report I’ve been able to see the things that I’ve been learning collectively each week. From using nifty computer programs such as Adobe InDesign to learning about “competition” in not-for-profit-organisations, everything has been equally important with no values being more significant than another.

In all honesty (and naiveté) I thought that most people would get offered real employment in the work that they were doing from their placements. How silly was I to think that from just one work experience we would all find our calling and love the work that we were doing. If anything this work experience has opened my eyes to see what really interests and doesn’t interest me. I like writing yes but what type of writing would I like to be doing. Article writing? Media releases? Brochures and flyers?

 

I’d have to say my most favourite writing pieces are articles on any events in the organsation. Each week I’ve been given at least one upcoming or recently passed event to post up onto our organisation’s website. Writing articles can sometimes be difficult in the not-for-profit industry because of the sensitivity of certain topics and even the use of certain words and phrases. Through my placement I have been duly noted on different writing styles and what is needed from Relationships Australia. I think one of the most rewarding things in writing is seeing your work actually published and available to the public.

 

 One of the articles I wrote

 

I believe that this unit has all in all been beneficial to me because of the experience that I’ve learnt as well as any negatives that I didn’t enjoy at my placement. All these things have shaped my attitudes on where I would like to work in the future.  

 

Through this experience I hope that I can find a place of employment that I will truly enjoy and find fulfillment in. Do any of you have any decisions about where you would like to work? Do you already have jobs secured?

 

Keep up the reports everyone!

 

Xoxo

 

Angela

Internship Adventures: Mission accomplished!

It is the end of semester and I recently submitted a draft of the PR report to my supervisor. When I attended the report writing workshop with Ali a few weeks ago, I was taken aback by the thick reports from past semesters. I felt terrible that the work I undertook will not amount to a thick report like the ones I saw. However, reflecting back to the public relations efforts I put into this internship, research played an integral role. Conducting research took a lot of time but enabled me to produce, in my opinion, a high quality media release and information to my supervisor for his meeting with the Premier. 

Since I work from home or university, I did not spend much time in the company. Rather, communication was mostly done via email and weekly or fortnightly meetings with my supervisor. I must say my supervisor did invite me to work at the office whenever I wanted to. However I thought I could do more at university or home so decided against that. Besides, most staff work from home and I felt awkward to be there without anyone else. Fun fact: staff work from home to cut back on energy consumption at the office! 

I think I have managed to apply the public relations theory I have learned over the course of two years into practice. It is wonderful that I worked for a company who has similar ideals as I do. Being energy-wise s something everyone should think about at least once because taking care of our natural surrounding is, I think, one of the main reasons we were put on Earth. Moreover, having experienced it first-hand, energy building designs makes for comfortable living that is also responsible towards the environment. 

This blogs concludes my log of the Internship Adventures as I like to call it. I hope all of you enjoyed your placements and got a lot out of it. Most importantly, good luck and best wishes for a successful public relations profession! Also, enjoy that road to your individual successes. And remember, Winston Churchill was right in saying, “kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. So keep at it and success is inevitable!

Jazzed About the Outcome!

After working with WAYJO for the past three months, my time has come to a sad end.

Throughout my time I was able to undertake a wide variety of tasks, and experience the daily workings of a public relations employee in the not for profit industry. This provided me with a true understanding of the importance of the public relations role and enabled me to develop my PR skills. Some of the main tasks I undertook included: compiling media and other stakeholder contact lists; event organisation, planning and promoting; updating and proofing of the website; supplying an e-newsletter, communicating and liaising with school contacts; and sourcing relevant information regarding possible sponsors and past alumni.

All of the tasks I have completed, even if tedious, have proved to be very beneficial to my studies as I've been able to put all my classroom knowledge into practice. I have also been very lucky to have gained a placement at WAYJO as I've been able to contribute to their inspiring cause and meet an array of people dedicated to the arts. 

After completing my placement what I feel I will miss the most is the staff. The ladies in the office have been there throughout my placement and have each shared with me their experiences and advice about the industry. This has provided me with invaluable information about what the future can hold. I was astounded with how friendly and available they made themselves to me and how they were always there to inspire, listen, and guide me throughout the process. I am internally grateful for their patience and dedication.

Reflecting on my placement I've been able to grow both professionally and personally. I cannot stress how rewarding this experience has been as it has taught me about the PR profession and prepared me for the workplace after graduation. I know I still have a lot to learn and experience but I now feel confident with attacking any task and role given to me head on. I can't wait to see what next year brings for me!

I hope everyone has enjoyed and learnt as much as I have from their placements!

Christina

Last week at FAC!

I've had such an amazing time at Fremantle Arts Centre and in my last week I've felt a weird mixture of sadness and excitement about finishing my internship. It has been a crazy few weeks helping out with two sold out concerts and preparing for an Academy Award winner's upcoming exhibition but it's also been so much fun! 

My first task of the week has been to help with the finishing touches of the Boy and Bear  concert, from helping set up the sound system to organising catering for the band every aspect of the gig has to be perfected to ensure that it goes of without a hitch. One great thing about completing my internship at FAC is that I have gained experience in not only the traditional aspects of PR but also events and what goes into the preparation of a large event, from the behind the scenes promotion to setting up on the day of the event. After all this hard work seeing the band play was the icing on the cake, it was such an amazing night.

The next weekend there was yet another world class musician playing in the FAC grounds with Dallas Green from City and Colour and Alexisonfire fame performing to another packed out and excited crowd just a few days after his awesome Kimbra 'Settle Down' cover on Triple J. Although I didn't get a chance to stick around to see him perform, running into Dallas Green wandering around the FAC grounds was definitely a highlight of my internship, and probably my year! 

As well as these awesome gigs FAC is in the midst of presenting Academy Award winner Shaun Tan's solo exhibition, 'Suburban Odyssey'.  With a collection of never before seen, large scale paintings, small oil paintings and drawings that chart Tan's journey and experiences throughout his childhood in suburban Perth, the organisation and promotion of Suburban Odyssey was detailed and highly organised, with Kathryn taking reservations to opening night all the way back in February.

 

Over the past few weeks I have learnt a lot from Kathryn as she organised every aspect of Shaun's trip to Perth, from his media interviews to where he was staying and how he was getting to and from the interviews. She liaised with a national PR company that was overseeing Shaun's media appearance's across the country ensuring that he made each of the interviews and had an enjoyable experience along the way. I cant wait to come back to FAC over the next few weeks after install of the new exhibition is completed so I can see the wonderful exhibition that everyone has worked so hard on.

It's time for me to say bye to this blog, but first I just want to say thanks to everyone at FAC that made my experience there so enjoyable, I learnt so much and really am grateful for everything!

Katie x