I have now spent five weeks working part time at Arthritis and Osteoporosis WA and so think it may be time to reflect on what I have done and how much I have gained in both experience and knowledge already...
When first starting I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Like many of you I had no previous experience working in a public relations role and so was unsure of whether my expectations were going to be contradicted. Three years ago whilst I was choosing my major my dream job was to work for a charity, but over the length of my degree and after learning about big business and corporations my overall career goals began to change.
Working at Arthritis WA even for this short period of time however has caused me once again to reassess what type of public relations sector I would most like to work in and why. Upon joining the PR team here, I was immediately made to feel welcome and given a level of responsibility that I was not expecting, but was very excited about.
‘Jessie’s Fun Run,’ is an event inspired by Jessie Soden a ten year old girl suffering from Juvenile Arthritis, and her family. Over the last five weeks I have been responsible for generating publicity for the run, with the public, local business, and students in primary and high schools along with their families. I have had success with The Canning Times using the press release I wrote for a front page story, The Sunday Times contacting us to write a story in May, and also Jessie featuring on 6PR with Millsy. I have also spoken at a primary and high school informing students about the event; giving me great public speaking experience.
I have also been involved in setting up and working at the Arthritis WA Art Show, attended meetings with HBF and the other six charities for the upcoming HBF Run, updating the emailing system, writing letters to various businesses and individuals, and updating the Facebook page.
I have been lucky enough to be able to work one on one with the public relations and events coordinator Mary-Ann, who has allowed me to help her with many of the projects that she is working on at the moment. Being able to shadow Mary-Ann has given me a chance to see all tasks and procedures that are carried out under the PR umbrella within a charity.
So with this experience in a not-for-profit position showing that I really do enjoy all aspects of public relations, I am still unsure if it is the industry for me. What I do know is that it has given me a chance to show my innovation and my ability to work independently in a rewarding environment and that opportunity has benefitted me greatly.
Until my next post I leave you all with the question; is working in not-for-profit more beneficial when first starting out because of the monetary constraints creating a more innovative work ethic? Or do big corporations that have easier access to funds for projects give interns a better look at how the public relations role can be implemented?
2 comments:
Hey Kendall!
Wow, sounds like you are having an amazing time at your placement. Being able to help generate publicity and awareness for that fun run must have been such great experience and so rewarding to be involved in. In regards to your question...it's quite interesting you say that because I am actually working for a Networking firm in south perth. I have been dealing with marketing a lot of their events, through the use of social media. They run a number of events for their clients. ( sometimes very corporate to rather social)However, they really do rely on membership for most of their profit. So when I look back on my time working for them I feel like I could have learnt more because they have it easier then say not - for profit organisations. And because you have the chance to shadow a coordinator you would be witnessing or the in and outs of what really happens behind closes doors. To be honest from reading your blog, it seriously seems that gaining experience at such a reputable charity has been very eye opening for you and that monetary constraints wouldn't make any difference to how much you have learnt. So to be fair I think the experience at both a not for profit and bigger pr firms would be so different...however I feel we should experience both!
Well I want to now from reading this :) Thanks!
Katherine G
Hey Kendall,
With regards to your question I believe there are great benefits to reap when working for a not-for-profit (NFP) organisation. As you've said, having limited funds forces you to be more creative and my guess is that you would rely heavily on relationships as a source of ongoing generosity.
I work at Curtin University which, believe it or not, is a NFP organisation! Curtin doesn't fit the typical NFP mould in that there's not exactly a lack of funds. However, I still find myself generating ideas that are cost-effective. I think that posters, banners and flyers can often be the most effective tools for promotion.
So whether working at a NFP or at a corporation I think having the ability to use money wisely is a skill that all PR professionals need.
Whether you begin your professional career at a NFP or at a corporation, I think it ultimately depends on the individual and what career path they would prefer. If you're truly passionate about who you work for I think you will suceed no matter what sector of PR you decide to pursue.
Sami
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