My name is Phoebe. I'm a final semester Public Relations student at Curtin University. I'm a Capricorn, my favourite colour is yellow and despite the information I've just given, it is impossible to gain a complete perspective on exactly who I am, what I know or what I can achieve.
In the same way, small amounts of information given to the public about a company or firm create a portrait with holes, a dot-to-dot framework left to complete by those who observe or have a stake in the performance. My passion lies in filling those holes, to not only create a sketch but a rich tapestry of colour, ethics and practice that comprise an organisation and its relationship with its publics.
I am passionate about public relations and the effects that a single person may have on business operations and relationships for years to come; the power of the butterfly effect to influence positive change and see a real result in the surrounding community is something that drives deep to my core.
It's a strange thought how three years of theory, tangled with real-life examples of the heroes of our discipline and the villains of poor corporate management, cannot quite express the experience of first walking through the doors of your work experience or internship placement and having that thought of "Oh dear."
After a mild panic when over 15 submitted applications for internships were met with either apologetic expressions of "Sorry, we don't have the resources to accommodate interns at the moment" or radio silence, an opportunity to assist with the rebranding and PR repositioning of Meridian Services, a small private security firm in Burswood, seemed like the perfect way to gain immediate and thorough experience about exactly what complete PR overhaul for a firm entails.
Despite an international reach, the firm itself is small, with the four directors overseeing a local task-force of 20 private investigation, technical and administrative staff. Meridian's resources are divided across four distinct "programs", with each offering benefits specifically for target niches; Chameleon Innovative Assets (CIA) provides a fail-safe way to identify assets and equipment belonging to specific owners or sites; Meridian offers private security and investigative services for both business and personal use; BUSTED! focuses on the reduction and elimination of theft and asset loss from building sites and Space Safe Kidz aims to educate children in primary and secondary education about the dangers of cyberspace and how to be safe when using the internet. The company is acutely aware of its social responsibility, which in turn indicates a willingness to learn and adjust accepted practices should the need arise.
My first week at Meridian Services was roughly the equivalent of taking
the floaties off a child's arms and throwing them in the deep end of the
swimming pool for the first time. Upon arrival, I was met with an immediate question from my supervisor: "How well can you write?" As an intern, I was anticipating to undertake the 'dirty jobs' at first, such as cold-calling and proof-reading media releases. However, my role involves working besides two experienced public relations practitioners, each with experience in marketing activity and a vast knowledge of the way in which a firm like Meridian can turn itself around.
I left my first day with a stack of briefs, including the framework for the organisation of BUSTED!'s August Roadshow collaboration with Nova 93.7; by the week's end, I was placed in charge of the social media operations and streamlining for both BUSTED! and Chameleon. My active participation in the public relations activities of the firm was not only encouraged, it was seen as a necessity. Glancing at the road ahead, the skill set that I've developed through years of study will be put to the test from the very beginning; it is only in the midst of the impossible that you discover your strength.
Regardless of all challenges ahead, it is clear that the education and experience I will receive will be nothing short of hands on, with no chance of being left in the corner to collect dust as a passive observer. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all and cannot wait to read about the unique journeys undertaken by each and every one of my fellow students.
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