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As some of you may know, if you've read my first 'The Internship" blog post, I have had the amazing opportunity to be apart of the Career Trackers program. If you haven't read my first blog, I'll fill you in anyway. 

Career Trackers is an incredible program that presents, assists and mentors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with a paid internship in the area of your interest. You heard me right... a PAID internship! Before all that begins, you have meetings with your Career Trackers adviser to determine what kind of place you would like to work with, which should coincide with your degree. With their help, you write up a profile about yourself, your hobbies, your studies, your skills and where you hope to be in your future. This profile is sent to a company that your adviser thinks would be suited to you and then you hopefully get an interview.

If you've never been in an interview situation before, do not fret, they prepare you for that too with individual and group workshops so that you can be fully prepared. You can also attend workshops about workplace environment and what to do in certain situations. Once you've officially got it, you get to do the internship throughout the winter break, which is optional, and/or the summer break so it doesn't interfere with university. But this internship isn't just handed to you... you need to make a good impression in the interview, and work hard throughout the internship no matter what kind of work they give you. (However, if there is any inappropriate behaviour, or bullying, or if the place isn't right for you, you are always allowed to leave and your adviser will help you get something else - this goes for anything) 

I am studying a Bachelor of Arts in Media and although I know my future will lie in film production, they didn't have many options in that area for interns. So I got paired with a company called Scentre Group who are centre management for Westfield. They basically run everything in the centres around Australia and internationally, its a big company. I became part of the marketing team as a Brand Experience Assistant helping out with organising promotions and campaigns to draw customers in and be more apart of the centre.

It has been an amazing experience. Surprisingly, I have been trusted with so much throughout my time there; writing up documents, preparing spreadsheets and being able to express my creative side through social media including creating posts, reels and IGTV's on Instagram, scheduling posts using content creator and SKED, writing news articles and offers for the Westfield website and app. I have really impressed my manager and co-workers which is a great feeling. I think the reason I am good at the work and put effort into it is because of the people I've been working with. The office has such a great environment, everyone has been so nice and welcoming from the start. I think that's what really makes a difference in a workplace, what makes people want to come in everyday and work hard. 

During the winter break I actually got really sick for two weeks (it wasn't Covid btw) so I had missed the middle two weeks of my internship. Luckily, they offered for me to come work one day a week when I didn't have uni commitments to complete the time I missed. The great thing about this internship is that if you do well, you could get an actual job there. That's what I have been offered!

Initially, I was concerned because I had so much I was balancing at the time - uni, family, two other jobs but then I realised that it is an incredible opportunity and would look great on my resume so I took it! I am an official Brand Experience Assistant and not just an intern so I basically do everything I have been doing and more! Because I am still at uni, I am in a casual position and only have to go in for two days a week which is great because it's less overwhelming. In the summer break, I will be able to work more. What's amazing about this is that my manager and team are so supportive of my future goals, and all they want is for me to have this as a stepping stone and I am so happy with that. 

Some of it has been challenging, I won't lie. Balancing this on top of everything else, thinking if this is right for me, adjusting to the office desk life and actually having to be an adult have all been challenges. But my favourite parts are being in an amazing team, a great company and being able to finally get to do hands on work and show my creativity. These are things I really am proud of.

I would definitely recommend Career Trackers to everyone. It's an incredible opportunity to get some work, show people who you are and what your made of. Go and get that foot in the door, you won't regret it.