Hey everyone! So I'm down to my last blogpost (if you haven't already noticed it's all been done in a day due to my absent mind!)
What have I learnt in the past 8 weeks? Has this helped me? Have I wasted my time coming into office from 9AM-430PM twice a week?
Here's what I think. PR393 is a unit that provides students with an insight to the "real" world. It prepares us (not completely, but to a certain extent) as to what we should expect upon graduating and entering the workforce. Although I have had experience working in a Public Relations and Publishing firm in Malaysia, working here has allowed me to have a taste of what the Australian workforce is like, to every extend exposing me to the "Aussie" lifestyle. A huge difference in comparison with the firm I was attached to in Malaysia, where I worked till late everynight, sometimes even staying in office till past midnight. It's nice to know that people in the workforce here remember that their families are at home and that personal and work life should be separated at any given chance.
In terms of Public Relations experience, the events I have helped organize, media releases that I have wrote, volunteers that I have worked with, school visits that I have done to create awareness has all helped me build the hands on experience that I need to prepare myself for what the real world has to offer.
My sister graduated years ago with an Undergraduate Degree in BioMedical Science and Forensics, during her university years she was not required to do a Professional Placement unit. The difference though is that once she entered the workforce, she realized it was nothing like what she had expected it to be and after almost a year of working, she hated the field she was in and moved on to believe or not, Communications and Community Relations. My point is that with units like PR393, students are able to experience the feel of what it would be like in the future, a reality check to know that being in Public Relations isn't as easy as Samantha Jones makes it seem in Sex & the City.
Throughout my eight weeks at Therapy Focus, I developed the urge to know more about children with disabilities, a passion to not only help them when I can but turn it into something that I'd be able to do on a regular basis. My parents we're already dropping hints of me continuing my studies, and so after much research I've decided to pursue my postgraduate studies in Education and hopefully, to study in particular on Learning Disabilities in Primary Education. It's a far turn from the Communications world that I've always been in, but hey - a postgraduate is technically my second degree so I figured why go into something from the similar field.
I hope the rest of you have gained lots from your placements and I wish you all the best in your future undertakings. Good luck!
2 comments:
Hi Ashie,
This was a really great read - thank you! It was particularly interesting that you compared your working hours from Malaysia to Australia, and I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing we are a country that values the time with our families and do try to separate work from home.
By the sounds of things you learnt a lot from your placement and have developed a new passion for helping others - this is highly commendable!
Good luck for your future studies and whatever you end up pursuing in the long run.
Meredith x
Hi Ashie
I too am really glad that you have given us all some insight to how the work hours in Australia compare to what hours may be expected in other countries. One of the main reasons I enjoy being at my current workplace is because they understand that we have families and commitments outside of work. This friendly corporate culture is what attracts many of our wonderful staff members and is how it manages to retain them for so long, even though the staff at Scitech are paid below the average market rates.
Another great point you have made is about the value of work experience. I have been studying design in my elective units and have been extremely surprised to find out that many of the majors do not include professional practice units. I can understand why some very creative units such as jewellery do not require it (as many will work by themselves from their own studio once they graduate) but many of the other majors result in jobs in extremely competitive industries. This work experience gives PR students a head start in the 'real world' and is a fantastic thing to add to your resume. Fashion and graphics students are also entering highly competitive industries and could benefit from the experience and networking opportunities.
All the best with the rest of your placement, it sounds like its really helped you define what pathway you wish to take with your studies and career!
Charlotte
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