One of the most important things I learnt whilst completing my placement was the importance of ‘speaking up’. However, this is easier said than done as expressing personal thoughts in an unfamiliar setting can be a daunting task.
In my first few days at the WACA I was quite content to hover in the background and keep my ideas to myself but as my confidence levels began to increase, I realised that to get the most out of the experience I would have to become more proactive in my interactions with supervisors and co-workers. This new attitude lead to several of my ideas being implemented into the programme we were designing, which aimed to increase the profile of junior cricket in Western Australia. Furthermore, the initiative I was trying to show lead to my supervisors giving more responsibility and independence in my dealings with various stakeholders, such as Master Foods, who were the major sponsor of the junior beach cricket day we organised.
In the second half of my placement I was felt as though I was contributing positively to the workplace environment and that I wasn’t just the ‘work experience guy’. Had I remained in the background throughout, both the WACA and I would have gained far less from the experience.
In my first few days at the WACA I was quite content to hover in the background and keep my ideas to myself but as my confidence levels began to increase, I realised that to get the most out of the experience I would have to become more proactive in my interactions with supervisors and co-workers. This new attitude lead to several of my ideas being implemented into the programme we were designing, which aimed to increase the profile of junior cricket in Western Australia. Furthermore, the initiative I was trying to show lead to my supervisors giving more responsibility and independence in my dealings with various stakeholders, such as Master Foods, who were the major sponsor of the junior beach cricket day we organised.
In the second half of my placement I was felt as though I was contributing positively to the workplace environment and that I wasn’t just the ‘work experience guy’. Had I remained in the background throughout, both the WACA and I would have gained far less from the experience.
3 comments:
Hi Josh
How right you are. When I started my prac, I met with my supervisor and the advice he gave me was that there was no point in my being there just to blow smoke up his .... He asked for constructive criticism because an outsider’s perspective can be so valuable.
I have struggled with this throughout my prac, often thinking, “Who am I to criticise?” but I am definitely improving with time and my confidence is growing.
I had a performance appraisal a couple of weeks ago and my supervisor complimented me on my work and my progress. His only suggestion was to speak up and not stay in the background too much. It’s true, you don’t get anywhere by being a wall flower.
By gradually voicing my opinions and adding to the conversations, I was noticed and offered a position to stay on. It feels so good to not just be the ‘work experience student’ anymore but a valued employee. - Megan
Hi Josh,
I also agree with what you and Megan have said. When I started my placement, at first I found it hard to have an opinion on anything because of the industry I had entered in for my work placement.
But as I got more familiar with my work place and industry, I was often asked what I thought about the campaigns we run because as Megan has mentioned, my boss valued an outsider's perspective.
I got over the fear of not knowing what I was doing and thinking any of my ideas are useless because I'm new to the organisation. What also helped, was my boss constantly asking for my opinion and making me feel part of the work place instead of 'temporary help.' He kept mentioning that I am more than just a work placement student in the organisation.
Goodluck!
Cheers
Dan
Hi Josh,
I third this issue and found myself holding my tongue in the first half of my prac because I really felt like I was just the work experience girl! As if I had no qualified right to express my opinion and ideas.
I too have seen myself evolve and grow in the ten weeks I have spent here at my placement. Then I found a new daunting experience when I started expressing myself... the indirect jealously and intimidation of the full consultants that failed to match my ideas! I did not see that one coming, although arguably I should have! haha
It was a horrible feeling but at the same time it was one of those moments where I just wanted to put my hands behind my head, lean back in my chair and say 'Oh Yeah!' hahaha but I found being completely humble was just as if not more satisfying. I couldn't help but smile to myself when I left the office that day : )
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