IN THE DEEP END

Every new challenge you face in life is likely to push you. This internship has most definitely been no exception having thrown me straight into the deep end.

Let me begin by telling you about how my placement started…

It was Thursday afternoon and I had been unable to focus on anything all day knowing that I had an Interview at 1pm with my potential placement employers. Professional presentation in check, my head held high, I marched into my interview determined to walk out with a secured placement. What I didn’t know was how much more I really would leave with.

My interview very quickly turned into somewhat of a client briefing and not only was I in but I had a media launch to organise in less than two weeks.  Filled with excitement I left the office on somewhat of a high thinking…

Invitation

Guests

Media

Event plan

Running sheets

Room setup

Champagne

Food

High tea

Fun

Fun

Only for it all to come crashing down the second I got home to realise how much work I had to do and how little time there really was.  With my mind working overtime, the settling thought was knowing that I didn’t need to worry; I know what I am doing.

Without even realising it I went into autopilot starting the procedure I needed to. It was at this stage I truly realised that Curtin and my degree have prepared me for my first step out into the real world and I have enough knowledge to really tackle this placement head on.

IN THE DEEP END

Every new challenge you face in life is likely to push you. This internship has most definitely been no exception having thrown me straight into the deep end.

Let me begin by telling you about how my placement started…

It was Thursday afternoon and I had been unable to focus on anything all day knowing that I had an Interview at 1pm with my potential placement employers. Professional presentation in check, my head held high, I marched into my interview determined to walk out with a secured placement. What I didn’t know was how much more I really would leave with.

My interview very quickly turned into somewhat of a client briefing and not only was I in but I had a media launch to organise in less than two weeks.  Filled with excitement I left the office on somewhat of a high thinking…

Invitation

Guests

Media

Event plan

Running sheets

Room setup

Champagne

Food

High tea

Fun

Fun

Only for it all to come crashing down the second I got home to realise how much work I had to do and how little time there really was.  With my mind working overtime, the settling thought was knowing that I didn’t need to worry; I know what I am doing.

Without even realising it I went into autopilot starting the procedure I needed to. It was at this stage I truly realised that Curtin and my degree have prepared me for my first step out into the real world and I have enough knowledge to really tackle this placement head on.

and then the sun sets on my degree...

I never thought I would see the day, were I was finally finishing my last ever university assignment. My final assignment would be my professional practise report for this unit. Even though this report would be the biggest I have ever written or had the most percentage worth within my entire degree. I would have to say that I have actually thoroughly enjoyed writing every component of it. You could tell that I enjoyed writing it because it would be one of the only assignments that I have started weeks before hand, unlike the majority of my assignments, which would have most likely been products of the night before caffeine fueled cramming sessions. I think it’s safe to say that all of the Public Relations students, who are winding up their studying days like myself, are all experiencing a variety of emotions. To be honest,I’m feeling a variety of emotions, mostly feelings of relief and excitement for the new chapter of my life and that I have finally reached this milestone in my life. It’s taken me a lot of obstacles, tears, caffeine and sleepless nights but it is great to reach the finishing line.

As it’s come to my end of my internship, I have been exposed to an entirely different industry, in which I have taken in every moment of the experience. I was very lucky to be placed within an organization with such down to earth people especially Janelle and Angel. I don’t think I could have asked for better supervisors to be placed with, were they didn’t mind answering any of my questions I had, or showing me multiple times on how to correctly transfer a call with the new hi tech telephone system (which I think I mastered finally, -thanks angel).  They made me feel incredibly welcome, and not like a work experience student, and that my contribution and assistance was appreciated. PR393 would be one of the most valuable units I have ever completed within my degree, because it’s one thing to know and master the theory, but it’s completely different ball game in real life. You need to know how to take this knowledge from the last 3 years and put it in practise within the work place, and some people may struggle with that and some may been incredibly successful. I have defiantly seen the other side of events and festivals, something many will never see- the amount of work, time and effort that goes into to planning just one of these events is enormous. There is a lot of love and passion for music and culture, especially within the team.

To all the students reading my final blog, I wish you all the best with your future endeavors!

We finally got here :D

Public Relations and I

Note: I apologise that this is a little out-of-date, I've been writing my blogs without posting them.

 

I can honestly say I’ve never considered myself a Public Relations student. Whenever I’m asked whether I’d like to pursue the PR or journalism aspect of my degree I invariably respond by saying; “Journalism. The PR is sort of a back-up.” Journalism is what I’ve wanted to pursue since primary school and as a result I’ve always somewhat coasted through my PR units. However, my view on PR is slowly beginning to change.

My view of public relations first started to change when I was looking at where I could get a placement. As I was using regular employment sites, such as Seek, I was coming across real job listings and it was hard not to imagine myself in those jobs. I couldn’t help but think things like; “That sounds like a decent job”, or “I could do that.” Maybe it was all that time focused on journalism, but I’d never understood how many different avenues there are when you go down the public relations path. Being able to dedicate a career to working in social media was something that continues to stick with me, I can’t help but think that would be a great job. It also helps that starting salaries in public relations tend to be a lot higher than in journalism.

I have a full semester of PR units ahead of me so I think I’ll definitively be able to say if I’d like to pursue PR by the end of the year. If I can stand basically studying PR full-time for the next few months than I think I’ll really be able to pursue a career in Public Relations.

Oh by the way, I’ve secured my placement at Perth Glory so if I can’t stand doing PR there, I don’t think I’ll be able to cop doing it anywhere.