So after two weeks into my placement, I thought now would be
a good time to start my blog. What can I say; these first two weeks have been
full steam ahead. I feel as if I have already learnt some invaluable PR
techniques I can use once I start my career.
My placement will take me approximately 10 weeks to
complete. I am doing it in the Department of Health, South Metro Health Service’s
Fremantle Hospital and Health Service (FHHS). I am situated in the Public Relations Office. There are
three other ladies on the team, all with different levels of experience. They
are all so kind and are willing to pass on their knowledge to me at any
opportunity.
What I love about my placement was that on the first day
there was no mucking about. I was thrown in the deep end and set to work as
soon as I arrived. My first day consisted of drafting the fortnightly
e-bulletin that is sent out to all staff members in the Fremantle Hospital
& Health services. It consisted of eight pages of any important information
or reminders current for the next two weeks.
I learnt very quickly
that deadlines are key and due to working in a government body, there are a number
of protocols and approval policies that need to be met. It is not as
straight forward as writing an article, then publishing it. Everyone’s work
always needs to be proof read by the PR manager (despite level of PR
qualification). At Fremantle, this is Claire Harris (whom is also my
supervisor). If publishing an online article, it is also sent for approval by
the head of South East Metropolitan communications team. It is to be proof read
again before a final approval on whether it can be published on the health
services intranet. So from my initial draft, two more proof reads, along with
two approvals need to be met before publication.
On my first day I was also given the opportunity to shadow one of the PR Officers Anni on an interview and photo opportunity. Mr Murray
Louden, Optometrist was retiring after thirty years of service at Fremantle.
This was a great experience to take part in. One of the key learning objectives
I took out of this was that depending on whom you were interviewing, was the
type of approach you took. Due to the purpose of the interview, it was very
laid back and more like a general chat with Murray. I also learnt that it was
key/ courteous to follow up once the article was written. We sent Murray a copy
asking if he was okay with what we wrote, including the quotes used. He
approved this so it was then ready to be sent off to step through the many
approval stages here at Fremantle. Finally out of this exercise, I learnt that
being courteous is key. It builds strong relationships whilst giving yourself a
very caring whilst professional name. We also offered Murray the chance for us
to send him out a hard copy to his postal address of the final article published
in July/August Almanac (hard copy Magazine circulated throughout all
staff/general public of the Public Health system).
Overall the first two weeks were invaluable. My writing
skills have already improved with every time I write. I am learning to alter my
style depending on the audience. I can use a less informal style when writing
the e-bulletins, but when writing Almanac pieces, direct structure with minimal,
straight to the point language is key. Hopefully these small tips will help in
the next few weeks worth of writing projects.
