Because I’m a Sure Win.

Scene: A typical job interview

Interviewer: “Thank you for taking the time in applying for the Public Relations Manager position for our company. So I see you have a Master’s Degree of Communications at University X. Can you note any kind of experiences you have had to contribute to this role?”

Kid with the Degree from University X: “...Well I can memorise the first fifty chapters of the Idiot’s guide to Public Relations by Professor Theory.”

Interviewer: “Mhm. Thank you for your time.”

Ever heard of the famous Eleanor Roosevelt quote:

“A person is like a tea bag- you never know how strong one is until he or she gets in hot water.”

It basically means that you can never know of one’s strength or capabilities unless he or she has experienced a hardship that defines them.

In a lot of ways, that is how I view the learning program that is applied in Central Institute of Technology. We are noted for our “hands on experience” and method of teaching to ensure that a student is able to make an easy transition from classroom to workplace. I believe that obtaining a Diploma in Public Relations will give you a better chance of winning the job when compared to a person who has completed their Degree from a university.

Take any job site for example. When reading the prerequisites for the role, most places are more interested in the years of experience in the role as a opposed to how many degrees you’ve obtained and at what institution. Especially in the role of PR. Unlike most industries, the typical PR role combines a seasoned knowledge of the industry and its peoples as opposed to the text book theory. After writing a thousand page thesis of how to function in Public Relations, it’s still difficult to comprehend the role of one until you have actually done it.

Tafe offers work experience, and that is exactly what it is: Experience at a workplace. To be able to say that yes, I have experience in a role in of a real company already offers insight for your interviewer into what you are capable of. If an employer were to ask you of how you can apply your learning to their organisation, it is much more effective to speak of your experience as opposed to how you would handle it in theoretically. Employers want to know that they can hire you into a role with minimal time spent on training. They want you to fulfil the role, then and now.

At the end of the day, it really is up to the individual to make use of their Degree or Diploma.

But in the short time I’ve studied at Central, I’ve come to realise that the field of PR is a not a black and white role. It really takes a person to posses the innate sense of creativity, logic, organisation and leadership that simply cannot be obtained through a textbook.

I have the highest confidence that after receiving my Diploma, I can easily beat out the Kid with the Degree from University X, why? Because I’m a sure win.

Asylum Seekers VS the Ring Masters, The Media War.

For a long time now, there has been a very controversial subject to every headline in the newspapers, every channel on the news, every nightly report; the subject of Australia’s ever-growing number of Asylum seekers. Every where you turn there is always someone who has something to say about it. Anyone from informed political leaders, humanitarian rights protesters to even housewives, EVERYONE has an opinion on the asylum seekers.

The media, realising how many papers can be sold from scaring the masses, has truely milked it for what it’s money’s worth. And just like every war there ever was; there are two sides. In his specific article, the writer clearly did not vote for Labour party.

In the effort of finding the PR slant in the first article (which believe me, was not hard), I found it would be more intriguing to compare it to another article by another publication and writer. In the first article is from Perth Now, a more or less the go-to site for those seeking gossip and entertainment. When compared to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute report on the asylum seekers, the evidence in the PR slant of my first article was clear:

· The repetitive use of the words “draining,” “freeloading,” “taxpayer’s money,” “illegals” when describing the asylum seeker “pandemic” automatically gives the reader negative feelings towards the matter.

· Prompting that the Australians are more in the need in the wake of the Queensland floods

· People personalise the situation to themselves on matters that concern them directly, particularly their money. The article prompts that our hard earned taxpayer’s money are being wasted spent on non Australians.

· Utilises patriotism to extradite “non Australians” e.g. “It is un Australian to flush our money in the toilet”

· Since the September 11 attack in the US, Muslims and middle eastern groups have been given horrendous press, often relating to Al queda and terrorism. The media utilises this to develop mass paranoia and hate

· Slanting the Gillard government as one who does not understand how to manage the already troubled Australian economy by allowing asylum seekers to freeload off its citizens.

The media can manipulate any story into one that speaks to their audience so deeply as to influence their state of mind and opinions and plague people’s emotions using their extremist prolific writing and propaganda.

What I’ve learnt is that true journalism is written in a neutral tone using minimal adjective and emotive writing and has correct and reliable sources and references.

In light of that I’ve come to believe that the true ruler of the world aren’t our political or religious leaders, it’s the media. The media ring masters wield the ever influential whip to command their human circus for the entertainment of their human audience. The outcome? We are our own laughing stock really.

Happy, New AND Improved Year.

My name is Wendy, I made it through Certificate IV in Public relations and I’m still here. ‘nough said.

My expectations of the course was clear from the beginning, it is not going to be easy. Cert IV was dipping my toes in the water, now understanding the depths, perils that is to be of the Diploma course, I know that a sloppy belly flop in isn’t going to win me anything. I’m going for a perfect, five star dive and giving everything I’ve got.

Now studying at a supervisory level, what I hope to get from this course is to really push my creative outlets, develop a true sense of independence in decision making and most importantly, growing into a leader that possesses a matured sense of humility and ethical values.

Though sore from such a small group compared to last year, I think that our diminutive but dynamic team will be fantastic. I think that after working so closely last year, we are all very familiar with one another’s strengths and talents and acknowledge that we all have so much to bring to the table.

There are so many avenues in the PR world that I want to explore. I am hoping that by the end of the course I will be able to visualise myself in an industry I would like to see myself working in, if not, working in it already.
Above all, I want a University degree. My goal is to attend the University of Western Australia after completing my diploma and major in Communications and Marketing and maybe even minor in Psychology.

In terms of the age old question of “what I what I want to do when I grow up,” first and foremost, I would love to be able to become a writer or editor for Frankie Magazine or any other publication. I am in love with the written word and the thought of being paid to write my thoughts and opinions would be amazing.

I LOVE MUSIC, I’m not sure if I’ve ever emphasized my self enough, I LOVE MUSIC. To pursue a career in music is a dream of mine. I know that people glamorise the media and music world as a constant, giant party, but I’m not there for the thrills. I understand that it isn’t a nine to five job. I think your field of work becomes your life and a life would be no life at all if there was no passion to what you do.

It truly fascinates me just how much the power of communication has really taken the hold on the world today. Just like a game of Chinese whispers, communication can be easily misconstrued and when it happens in the real world, multimillion dollar corporations can fall and even powerful leaders can fall at the whims of an inept Tweet.

Public Relations is, at its core, the art of communication and communication is the foundation of operating in any work place, regardless of any industry. So why do I want to work in PR? Because I think that in a way, it is the most humbling form of an unsung hero.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Behind every powerful leader is a powerful wife,” but what I, Wendy Phung believe, is that with every groundbreaking, life changing, revolutionising choice a leader makes, there is a PR guru whispering in his ear.