Thursday, May 19, 2016

First Steps

It’s been great to finally have a break from the stresses that come with #unilife, but for me it’s time to hang up my bikini and take my first steps into the ‘real world’.




The day is finally here.



I’ve been up all night trying to decide what outfit will most effectively portray the fact that I am keen to learn, professional and above all capable of what they are about to throw at me (even if that include ‘I’ll get a skinny long mac topped up- no sugar’.


I’ve taken my first steps into the office with the social precedent of the word intern hanging over my head, and excitement running through my veins. I keep thinking ‘all I’m going to be doing is filing, getting coffees and running errands- I’ll be fine’.  Boy was I wrong.


I thought that wearing the intern paper crown meant doing the slug work, yet in the first hour here  I feel as if I’ve been thrown into the deep end, and I can honestly say that I’m loving it. The work that I am doing is challenging, interesting and it gets me thinking. It’s a great change from my usual boring 9-5 retail job. I get to apply what I’ve been learning at Uni in a real life situation where it’s actually all starting to make sense now.

Media releases, blog posts, ‘what’s happening’ research, social media- you name it, I’m doing it!


I’ve found myself having been thrown into a world of events and public relations that I honestly love doing- and I’m being intellectually challenged every day I’m here, having to push myself and feeling like one of the head honchos and actually contributing to the team and the business operations.


I had the stereotype in my head that an intern will be placed in the corner, doing silly work that doesn’t make a difference in the businesses success, rather just helps them out with jobs around the office. The tasks and to do lists being passed my way include researching client content and Event/PR topics to include in media releases, event listings and blog posts. I’m liaising with companies and clients and surprisingly I'm actually implementing the skills I’ve learnt at University.



Being thrown into the deep end is an understatement to say the least. 



I’m so happy that an Internship is included in my degree as it really has opened my eyes to the sides of an Event Management and PR organisation that I didn’t realise were so crucial to raising business awareness, gaining momentum and reaching success.



Having a large amount of previous Event Management experience I was already aware of the planning and organising that is contributed towards achieving an event- so that to me was no surprise. Yet what has actually been a surprise to me is the work that is done behind these events that have the potential to make as business great, or give them the image as just another Events and PR company. Of course I knew these things existed in businesses, I just didn't realise how crucial they actually are in all aspects of any business- not just PR and Events! It comes in portraying your business and selling yourself to your desired public's and demographics.


I’m realising how important components like social media, marketing and client management are to the success of an emerging organisation in the market, and I know I will definitely embrace these elements of running a business when I embark on my own adventure. It's definitely relatable to me and what I want to do.



The day is coming to an end and I feel like in one day I have already learnt so much. I was required to do research such as content and image publications to be comprised into promotional material for the business. I never realised how significant components such as promotional and informative e-book’s (electronic material) are in showing your public's what you’re made of and what you can offer client's. These are elements of owning your own business that I didn’t realise mattered as greatly as they do, and I can confidently say that I will definitely be implementing this into my own business path and my career.



I’m actually quite surprised at how easily I found I am fitting in to my new environment. I feel like what I’ve been learning at University I am easily able to apply this into what I am working on. The experience from just one day is extremely surprising and I'm gaining experience that will help in making my own path.
Some could say I'm pretty happy where I am right now, and for some odd reason working for free or slave labour as some might say isn't actually as bad as it sounds.



4 comments:

Lee Fisher said...

Hi Emily
I was glad to hear that I was not the only one that worried about what to wear and the image that it would portray on my first day in the office until I could get the vibe of the expected standards. That first impression is so important and daunting.
There were so many little comments that you made in your blog that made me think of my thoughts and feelings prior to starting. I had the thought of expect the worst (doing the coffee run as you mentioned) but hope for the best (being given the chance to shine), and then I would not be disappointed. It sounds as you have been given the opportunity to shine like so many of us and I am grateful that the degree has prepared us well for that.
Regards
Lee

Sjanna Sandalova said...

I can relate 100%!! "Being thrown into the deep end is an understatement". Having to write a media release in my early days on a client and event I knew very little about was extremely terrifying to say the least. I thought I was asking too many questions and felt silly for not knowing what to do. But as the weeks progressed, I discovered that asking questions is good and I learnt that everyone has to start somewhere.
I was also so amazed at how everything we learnt at uni started to make sense! And applying what we did in class into the real world felt very rewarding.
I hope you have/had a very pleasant ending to your internship

Sjanna.

Unknown said...

I can resonate with so much of this! I think there is a stereotype surrounding 'interns' as being coffee runners and expert paper filers. However in reality, from my experience and through reading these reflective blogs, it seems interns are receiving a lot more responsibility than perhaps we're even ready for. Cue: "Being thrown into the deep end." But it's amazing how valuable hands on experience can be in teaching you skills quicker than your degree ever could!

Unknown said...

I couldn't agree more! I think one of the scariest things about being an intern is not knowing what to expect or what is expected of you. I too thought I would be doing small tasks here and there - that were just extra little jobs that didn't matter. I think it's great that enduring the challenge of an internship is now required for us to complete our degree. I remember the first day of internship I was thrown into the deep end having to research clients and write media releases but like you, I found I was able to stay afloat and use my knowledge from university to keep me going. It's a great feeling when you can apply what you've learnt to a real life experience or even vice versa (from your internship to uni). I hope you're experience has continued to be a great one!