Category: International Jobs

Final Week with the International Jobs crew

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After five or so hectic weeks of finding guests, stalking them (legally) and schmoozing to the bones, our Media 6 seminar was a success! Although we haven’t received our feedback from the tutors, the fact that there weren’t any major dramas we had to deal with during the seminar was a triumph.

Overall, I was very glad to have been part of this team. A small circle of team members made major decisions with different aspects of the seminar that we led, but every member was motivated to work on their responsibilities. What was amusing to see was that even though we lost a majority of third year Media students attending (it is Week 11 after all), there was a great number of students from other Communications courses AND outside of RMIT that attended, including some old friends of mine whom I didn’t expect to come (nor did I invite them exclusively). I was surprised to see a mature couple enter the lecture theatre (late) and wondered how they heard about the seminar.

Despite the exhaustion, I am very happy with how much time was invested into this seminar and grateful for all the friends of the team members that helped make this seminar a success. I will definitely miss the weekly catchups on Fridays and the crazy followups on Facebook. I can only hope that the audience members saw the positive in our efforts and that we would receive great feedback.

 

I’m a Media graduate, get me out of here!

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It’s been an interesting journey so far of ‘team leaders’ being throned and de-throned, transforming the group to a democracy. Though perhaps the most challenging aspect of the organisation process for me so far was the communication with the guests. Being professionals with their own itineraries and no particular incentive to join the seminar, it was initially difficult to get a commitment. I managed to lock down one within the first few weeks, Josh McNicol, to represent the “Communications” aspect of our course. Being a friend of mine was certainly a benefit, especially since Josh has had experience working with clients in Europe, North America and Asia.

Through intensive LinkedIn scouring I found Lee Rogers (Film & TV), whose education at UCLA led him to a career with ties in the States, the UK and Australia. He expressed some interest in the seminar, but would not commit. On my second email, I provided Lee with a rundown of the seminar, our background as soon-to-be graduates and photos from the TV seminar. Lee confirmed then, and proved to be a lesson for me in garnering trust from strangers and potential acquaintances by providing them with as much information as is available.

The third (initial) guest was Charles Crang, a digital media professional who worked in New York as an RMIT alumnus. The fact that he graduated from RMIT gave promise that he would be willing to help out. Utilising the same persuasion techniques as I did with Lee, with a side of flattery, Charles also gave his commitment. Unfortunately, he backed down three weeks before the seminar, with the promise of helping to find a replacement. The group, however, was quick to take action and invited Bernard Wee, a group member’s friend and emerging photographer from Singapore. Everything had worked out to a tee, and planning the logistics of the seminar kicked off.

A day into the seminar week, specifically last Monday, Charles got back to me and introduced Kate Collinson, a professional of the same calibre as himself. It was an opportunity that was too good to pass, not only covering four aspects of our Communications course but having both gender balance and racial diversity. After a quick consultation with Shelley and the steering committee, the group had to alter every aspect of the seminar including the structure, the questions, even the staging, to cater to four guests. Regardless of the last minute rush, having four guests in my opinion, was beneficial in making our seminar unique and attracting audience from outside RMIT.

My job doesn’t end there, however. Using what ‘connections’ I have, I reached out to friends and acquaintances from Melbourne and Monash University to help promote this “FREE and welcome to ALL” event. It’s now the night before the seminar and I am still promoting the event on Facebook, copywriting varieties of “Free event” and “Welcome to everyone”. I can only hope that tomorrow will go smoothly and that I will have enough energy to maintain a cool composure.

IntJobs Week #5

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11882284_729698580468347_8757313360589793632_oIt’s Week 5 and the group’s progress is on par. The multitalented Aki has completed a campaign design, which means that the social media crew can begin pushing out content for students to discover. As seen on the image above, the group has also begun filming the promo video directed by Angus. More information on that soon.

On my end, I’ve spoken with my contact Josh McNicol about potentially speaking for us and he seems keen about the idea. Although he doesn’t have a conventional “international job” I sold the idea to him of working with foreign clientele and assimilating with varied cultures rather than finding jobs abroad. He said he can also recommend someone to me who’s currently working in the Australian Ballet, but has had experience working in China and I think Europe (?)

I’ve also contacted Adam Smith, who is based in Miami as the Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Public Affairs at the Laureate Universities. He’s also a connection of mine, but I was initially apprehensive to approach him as 4 PM Skype/FaceTime session in Melbourne will be 2 AM in Miami for him. But the great thing about him is his story. He didn’t have a traditional education in communications and forged his career by networking and hard work. He’s told me he will check his schedule and get back to me soon, but if he’s unable to do it, he can recommend someone he knows who’s based in Melbourne.

My only concern about these potential speakers, and also something which Vicson has spoken to me about, is their careers’ focus on communications rather than media. According to the Facebook poll we shared on the media pages, there is more interest on media graduates to invest in a career within film and television production, which is nothing to be surprised about given our course. On this case, I must cater for our audience’s interest and continue to look for people with established careers in production overseas.