Confidently Seeking

Just a quick post before the final weeks of university draw to an end.
I can't believe in a few weeks, I'll finally be a graduate (minus the official graduation). The blood, sweat and tears has all been worth it and I can confidently say to the world. Bring it, I'm ready!

I've been casually looking at SEEK for the jobs available over the last few weeks, just to see what is out there at the moment. I don't know about everyone else, but there's so many different jobs popping up in Perth! Ranging from communications assistant to marketing personal assistants, it's really surprising because we always think that there is nothing in Perth.

When looking through these employment opportunities, I have a habit of comparing my skills and to the ones needed by the jobs that I'm seeking. Obviously most of the roles advertised require a few years experience, which I don't exactly have yet. However, when I browse the other essential skills required, I can confidently say I really do have those skills! That makes me happy 1) 3 years of uni has not been a waste 2) I will find a job 3) Thank goodness.

More than that, the placement opportunity at Activ Foundation has given me the stepping stone I have needed to confidently say I have gained these skills, so for that I am so grateful for my time here. I've even agreed to stay on a bit longer after my placement leaves so that I can help out with the mountain of work that they have ahead of them before 2012.

It's a great opportunity which I personally asked for as I saw it as a chance to get more experience in some hands on work that Activ have going for the next few months. It will include developing strategies, implementing campaigns and an audit of current communications activity of Activ.

After my experience at Activ, it has surprisingly made me set my sights on consultancy work. However, it doesn't hurt to get as much experience as possible, especially if opportunities there!

Good times ahead.

I'll be posting my last blog very soon,

Until then,

Thy

PS. RIP Steve Jobs

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

Hey Premier, you're doing it wrong!

Two weeks ago, Activ Foundation held a special event to formally open the new office building located in Wembley, Perth. This was a momentous occasion for Activ, the building is state of the art and inside is one of the largest disability library resource centres in WA. To help officially open the building, the honorable Premier Colin Barnett was invited along to speak to the guests.

This was a great opportunity for Activ to showcase the services and facility that the organisation has on offer. The event brought heavy media attention, although the media attention on the day was fairly focused on the Premier, it was great to see the focus of the day was not taken away from Activ or from the special importance of the day for the organisation.

Before the event, the communications team had a few things to do. One responsibility was to write the speech for the CEO, Tony Vis, another was to contact local and state media to ensure there was sufficient coverage on the day.

I was able to write the media release for the event and on the day I was required to help oversee the event and also needed to make sure the media were well informed of any rules or regulations that they needed to oblige by. I was able to say a quick hello to the Premier too.

There was some worry prior to the Premier's speech that sensitive questions would be asked or that the media would cause some trouble, however, in the end all who attended were respectful and the event ran very smoothly.

A funny story that I experienced from the day was during the Premier's speech. Mr. Barnett, as a unique gesture gave a gift to the Activ Library - it was a book called Animalia. It was apparently tradition for the Premier to give a book to any school or library that he visited. Great idea, right? Well, when giving it to a staff member, he said 'I have no idea what it's about'...and flicked through the book with a confused look upon his face and handed it over...

Sometimes, doing nothing is better than doing a gesture that is clearly not genuine. This was one of those moments and I think everyone was thinking Premier..you're doing it wrong! It was clear that the Premier was doing this as an 'image' boosting gesture as oppose to a genuine act of kindness. I just thought, at least pretend you know what gift you are giving.

However, it might have just been my view of the situation. All I know is, it was very cringe worthy but also slightly amusing.


Here's a picture of the book:




Well, that's it from me for now. I hope you have enjoyed my quick recap of the recent happenings during my time at Activ.

As the semester quickly draws to a conclusion, I will be back very soon with another update!

Be happy,

Thy Nguyen

Keep it simple, stupid.

Okay, so I am back again ready to report on my work placement journey so far at the Activ Foundation. Time is going very fast, I feel so involved in the organisation and especially the communications team that I often forget that I need to soak everything in for the big fat report due soon.

My top three highlights are: 1) researching writing and editing media articles such as, media releases, internal newsletter and feature stories 2) Hyundai donating two cars to Activ and covering the story, meeting the clients and employees of Activ. See article to your right...Woo! 3) next Wednesday I'll be meeting the Premier of WA.

My experience so far has reminded me the following: The importance of being proactive, humble and as my title says keeping things simple. Being proactive means making an effort to contribute ideas and thoughts whenever you can, if you're wrong or if they disagree it doesn't matter it shows you care and are interested in what you are doing. Being proactive also involves opening your eyes and seeing what needs to be done or what can be done better.

No job is too good for you. Sometimes it's easy to think I didn't sign up to photocopy 100 copys of some person's document, but as my mum once said 'a bad attitude isn't going to get you anywhere'. So if you get a boring job and you will, it calls for you to take a slice of humble pie and just get the job done.

Finally, keep everything you do simple. For example, I often took 3-4 hours writing or editing something that takes 1 hour, because I would be too focused on spelling, grammar, paragraphs, fancy words. If I had just kept it simple I probably could have finished a few more. Also remember, everyone at work is usually so overwhelmed with their own task they don't want anything that is complicated, when asking a question make it valid and useful to the task that you want to complete.

Pretty straight forward right?

I hope everyone is coping well and keeping up with their work and study load, until next time!

- Thy
Activ Foundation

Activ without the E

Hi everyone,

It's week four already! Assignments due, deadlines getting closer, presentations coming up...Oh how I will never miss the stress and panic of uni-life.

On a much brighter note, it's also my fourth week at my placement, Activ. I am loving my time here so far, I really feel part of the organisation, the people I work with are outgoing, friendly and always wanting to give me work to do (I'm undecided whether this because they like me or not), but it certainly is nice escape from all the uni craziness.

A quick low down on the organisation: Activ is a Western Australia's largest provider of services for people with disability the services include accommodation facilities, occupation, family support and much more, Active has been around since 1951, so for a very long time.

More info: http://www.activ.asn.au/2/2067/8/about_activ.pm

Most people (including myself, before doing research) will not have heard of Activ, or directly link Activ with the services they offer. What the organisation is often known for is being a major partner of the annual event Perth City to Surf.

Why Activ: I first was attracted to complete my placement at Activ because of the potential opportunity to be involved with some aspects of the Perth City to Surf. However, after the interview and having a talk with the communications manager, I realised the vast services and community based activities which Activ actually do. The services are helping so many that truly need it, it sounds very cliche, but they want to make a difference in people's lives. How could I not want to be part of this.

So what I thought I wanted to do within my placement quickly changed, I now am involved with a range of activities within the organisation and getting hands on experience of the communications role. So much more than I expected!

When I finish my 20 days, I hope I can come out with more skills, knowledge, experience and most importantly a bit more confidence for what I can do.

I'll be back with more updates soon! For now, hope everyone is making the most of their placement and enjoying the high and low moments. Don't worry, it's all character building!

Talk soon,
Thy :)