Meet Neha: Neha is studying Public Relations and has taken the opportunity of three internships as a Communication or PR intern. It has helped her understand the industry and what professional practice looks like and establish some very useful connections.
Why did you choose to study at Deakin?
Neha: I chose to study at Deakin because of the right balance provided in the course structure. The balance being between level of focus towards a major/discipline while allowing freedom to explore other options through free subjects/electives. Public Relations has been of great interest to me and I am happy that Deakin provides a course which focuses on this discipline.
How is your course preparing you to be work ready?
Neha: The course offered at Deakin is affiliated with the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). It also has a compulsory internship to be eligible to graduate. Moreover, one can use their electives to further complete more internships or study other useful subjects that complement the course. This all together creates a balance between theory and practice. Hence, it prepares one to be ready to take on work after graduation.
Tell us about your experience of Deakin’s teaching staff.
Neha: The academic staff at Deakin is very well embedded within the industry they teach about. Some of them have written major books that provide great insights into the industry. They are well versed with practicing with some of them having their own PR firms, for example. Most of the academics have worked for years in their field before starting teaching. Just having a chat to one of them over a call or coffee can help one gain so much insight and useful information about the industry. Such conversations can lead to useful networking and connections.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your course?
Neha: The most rewarding aspect has been the industry experience that I have gained via internships. I have had the chance to intern in three different settings as a Communication or PR intern. Every experience has been so different from the other. It has helped me learn, understand the industry better, understand what professional practice looks like and establish some very useful connections.
Have you undertaken any internships as part of your degree?
Neha: I have interned under PR with Mango Communications which is a PR agency. I have also interned with the Melbourne International Animation Festival as the event intern for their branch event in Bendigo. Recently, I interned with headspace which is a mental health organisation as their Communications intern. I also worked with Junior Chamber International (Eastern) handling their communications for one year.
From all these experiences, I have had the chance to apply practically all that I have learnt at university. I have understood work culture of different organisations. I have gained experience in teamwork. I have learnt how to research, understood and observed how campaigns are materialised. I have been part of and organised events. I have gained experience in learning and using new software. There is so much that such internships teach you that you can only learn with experience and not in books.
How would you describe the learning environment and culture at Deakin?
Neha: The learning environment and culture at Deakin is very inclusive and welcoming. There are student clubs as well that can help you go beyond studying to establish connections with like-minded people and be a part of causes/activities you really care for. I was part of the dance club for a while. Those classes were a great outlet and stress-buster. I loved every bit of them. I was also part of the Drama club. Auditioning for plays was such a learning experience that helped me not only understand how theatre works here but, also helped me gain some people skills.
Where do you see your career in five years?
Neha: I have a lot of things in mind. Deakin has opened up a world of opportunities and possibilities. I want to pursue Communications further. I also aim to complete my Masters one day. I am really interested in working as a PR practitioner for a PR agency initially. Then with enough experience in my hand I want to dive into publicity which is a more specific way to look at PR.
Have you faced any challenges whilst studying?
Neha: Initially, yes. Understanding how university works can be overwhelming for anybody. It is absolutely different from school. It took me some time to adjust to the concept of self-study. I had to learn to be strict with myself when it came to catering to my study material and assignments. However, I overcame such challenges rather smoothly. It was all about learning self-discipline, having a time-table and sticking to it.
What would you say to someone about to study online?
Neha: I think maintaining a calendar is helpful. Keep note of your classes and due dates. Once again, it is all about self-discipline. Online studying makes it easy to forget your uni commitments since the environment around is less stimulating academically. So, it is entirely upon us to make an environment around us that motivates us to get to our work.
Neha Khanna is studying Deakin University’s Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations).