Welcome fellow explorers! Though from different places in the world, we’re each lucky enough to be on a similar journey and at similar stages in our lives. I’m delighted to be able to learn from your experiences and share with you my own, right here, right now. Technology can bring us together in ways never thought possible before and for this communicative gift I am so grateful!
My name is Chelsey Phillips and I’m a part-time Commerce student from Curtin University at Bentley. I’m about to complete the final semester of my Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management and Public Relations (PR) degree. For me this has been a rewarding journey so far.
A prime example from where I had recently used my cross-cultural communication skills was in a Singaporean taxi last year. I maintained good listening skills and 2-way communication to establish information sharing and a build great rapport with humour. I feel this is one of my strongest personal assets that I hope to carry with me in every new environment.
I chose to complete my internship over the mid-semester holidays. I commenced my first day working as a PR intern at Curtin Stadium, in Bentley http://recreation.curtin.edu.au/, on Wednesday 26th June 2013. My blog access was provided shortly afterwards. I had made many notes to provide substance to my reflective blogs.
Ms Shelagh Pascoe, the Stadium’s Manager, had authorised my internship and had agreed to act in a mentoring role, as I familiarise myself with the organisation and the role in which I was undertaking. It became apparent to me just how crucial maintaining good communication is in every organisation, both internally and externally.
The Curtin Stadium is owned by Curtin University and must comply with Curtin Policy and Procedures to sustain the University’s good reputation, though operates separately to generate its own funds. Good internal marketing and promotions are a priority to encourage students, staff and the community to Curtin Stadium. Ongoing good relations with all stakeholders are therefore paramount for its sustainability.
My prior training in Commerce had given me a fair idea of how important the attributes of planning, organising, leading and controlling are in a manager’s role. Shelagh was devoting her time to giving me an operational overview of the stadium, the service roles and some marketing and promotional aspects.
On my first day I was encouraged to attend the Curtin “UniLife Support Services Team Performance Session” meeting with other Curtin Stadium staff members. This gave me an organisational overview and reinforced the importance of team building, service delivery and achieving Curtin’s goals. I could see the broader role in which the Stadium plays in university life and personal development of the entire community.
At the Stadium I was encouraged to make contact with other staff members. I had noticed that each of the staff was willing to share information with me and I was treated as an equal immediately. The empowerment that I felt after being supplied with a uniform made me even more determined to provide the best assistance possible with my prior workplace training and knowledge of public relations.
I consider the following resource a bible for aspiring PR academics venturing out to the real world PR, with an Australian focus:
- Harrison, Kim. 2011. Strategic Public Relations: A Practical Guide to Success. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers Australia.
I also believe, wholeheartedly, that the cultural boundaries that distinguish PR practice are becoming less prominent and that the human action of sharing information with others will be a lead driver of training and development, globally. In the meantime, the following textbook has assisted in greater cultural appreciation in the PR field.
- Curtin, Patricia A. and Kenn T. Gaither. 2007. International Public Relations: Negotiating, Culture, Identity and Power. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
All the best with your endeavours and watch this space!
Warm regards,
Chelsey Phillips
Curtin University Bentley, WA
14982969 Student
259629K Curtin University Associate
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