2010

Happy New Year

and all that. It’s the second week of the year and my fifth week in Esente Communications. Here I was hoping that the New Year 2010 would be ushered in with something special for us and for me in relation to the working environment, but no – the workload of the first week was already a burden for me to bear. As usual, I do media monitoring, research and some administrative work here and there, not forgetting the media calls.

I don’t know why, but this wasn’t the field of PR that I was acquainted with. I had my impressions, I had my expectations. Back in university we had constant guidance; no one ever left us alone, even if we had done things the wrong way. And we still learned to do it the right way, we were given precise explanations. The working world, on the other hand, is a dog-eat-dog world. People are ready to justify themselves and deny their liability because they have been there for a long time, before we interns ever came in. Miscommunication abounds, and if you lack the alertness and the ability to cope with working life, the blame will be put on you. And for all this, they call it public relations for Pete’s sake.

Nobody is perfect

, no one will ever be. As interns, we’re here to learn and we make a lot of mistakes (aren’t we all meant to do so?). This is our first working environment and from what I’ve heard and been told, there will be a lot of guidance, support, fun. Pfffffffff, I don’t see it.

Reflection

I can safely say that this placement opportunity has enabled me to improve my time management skills immensley.

After working on the MYM Fashion Show during Perth Fashion Week, I feel I have learnt the importance of client relations and time management when organising an event.

I have also learnt the importance of creating media releases that are consise and news worthy, otherwise I have found that your work will not be reported on and thus means no promotion and coverage on the events your company is organising.

I am suprised at how often I had to look back on previous work I had done, in my PR units and I have often found myself looking through text books from first year in an attempt to refresh my memory.

This really is a unit that not only tests your skills, but forces you to re-fresh those skills and work on them.

At the beginning of this unit, I was scared that I was too in-experienced to do a placement unit. However, I have found that over time I have become more confident in my skills and I have become more organised.

This unit is great for preparing you for the outside world and although it won't be easy, at least I can be a little bit more confident than before.

Also go to www.colosoul.com.au to look at photos from the MYM fashion show and look at the future events Colosoul is organising.

My work experience has come to an end which is a little bit sad because i have really enjoyed my time in the office.

The last few weeks have been chaotic as the magazine's deadline for publishing is coming closer and closer. I have been shocked at how much input i have had in the final production, and cannot wait to see my work in print!

Lately, i have been liaising with clients, booking interviews, writing content, assisting the sub editor and editorial director and assisting with graphics and layout. I have been given the opportunity to put together serveral pieces for the magazine, including choosing the photographs, conducting interviews with the subject and writing up the content.

I was also able to watch several models be interviewed for fashion shoots and help choose items to be worn in the fashion shoots- this was very excting! The gift bags i was put in charge of organising have come together and look fantastic, they are filled with products i was able to get company's to 'contribute'.

Overall i am very happy with how my work experience placement has turned out, now for the dreaded report!!