Lachlan Abbott, Bentley Campus - Methodist Ladies' College
Having finished my placement a little while ago I've had the opportunity now to take a step back and really evaluate my time with Methodist Ladies' College. I've always been the type of person to learn more from hands on experience than being told something in a classroom, but even I am surprised by just how much I have picked up in such a short amount of time. In particular I've noticed a marked change in my writing style. Whereas before it was probably a little too clinical and cut back, I'm now finding it much easier to include a little bit of creativity and expressions I would not usually use. I think this has been helped in a large way by the number of letters and promotional materials I have had to produce during my placement. These kinds of copy require a very different writing style to what I've been taught in journalism with the inverted pyramid and very stripped back structures and phrasing.
I am now working with MLC once a week, and am responsible for producing the school's weekly newsletter. I have found this task to be a little daunting. Having copy I am responsible for being sent to thousands of parents each week has been a little scary at first, but I am finding now that I have a bit more confidence.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time at MLC. I feel as though I fit in well with all my coworkers and managed to achieve a lot. I am particularly proud of the way my writing has been received, and will be continuing my work there writing latest news articles for the website and our quarterly newsletter, Strive.
My final thoughts have been focussed on crisis management in public relations. Just recently we had a situation where the appearance of one of our students' in a newspaper caused a bit on controversy. It was interesting to see some of those involved from my section step up and take responsibility quickly in order to ensure the situation did not get out of control. We have learnt that one of the first steps in crisis management is ascertaining where responsibility for the situation lies and it was interesting to see this in practice.
Although I am grateful to have finished my placement I am looking forward to continuing my work at MLC as an employee.
