My Intern Experience - Ada Wing Yi Wong
Welcome Ada Wing Yi!
Ada Wing Yi Wong joined our SAcommunity Media and Communications Team as part of her third year internship course at the University of South Australia from the 26 April 2023 - 23 May 2023.
She completed an 80-hour internship onsite at the Connecting Up Office, 21.5 hours a week for about 5 weeks around her university classes: (7.5 hours over 3 days a week).
Wing Yi Wong's portfolio of media articles written for the SAcommunity Team can be found >>here https://sacommunity.org/blog/20916
Personal Biography
Wing Yi Wong (also known as Ada) is a third year student at the University of South Australia. She is currently studying communication and media and her sub-major is in marketing. An international student from Hong Kong, Ada first arrived in Adelaide in 2022, embracing her time as an onsite student which suits her outgoing nature. Here she has been able to continue her fascination with Japanese culture, styling and music. Recently volunteering to help in the Kodomo no Hi Festival Japanese hosted by the Japan Australia Friendship Association.
Wing Yi 's passion for communication and marketing led her to seek out an internship in the SAcommunity Team at Connecting Up, a service of Infoxchange. She believes this internship will provide her with valuable insight into the workings of the communication industry and offer her hands-on experience in the field. Wing Yi is excited to meet like-minded individuals during her internship who can offer her guidance as she navigates the world of communication and marketing. She is eager to enhance her communication strategies, and information-collecting skills which she believes will be instrumental in her future success.
Wing Yi 's plans for the future are to develop a career in public relations for a fashion brand or in the government sector. She envisions herself working as a PR agent or communication coordinator, helping fashion brands craft their image and messaging to appeal to a wider audience. She understands that this field is highly competitive and she is eager to gain experience and build her skills to prepare for her future endeavours. Looking even further ahead, Ada aspires to start her own business and create her own brand.
Connecting Up Monthly Teams Meeting: Pankaj Chhalotre Head of Connecting Up, Cameron Brown Web Developer, Volunteer Stathis Avramis, Intern Jordana Izquierdo, Intern Wing Yi Wong, Intern Nada Soldo, Chloe Le Marketing Coordinator, Tina Vuong Customer Engagement Manager, Eric Jenkins Account Manager, Volunteer Rex Porter, Rob Kalka Business Development Manager, Sarah Rayner-Fry Customer Support Coordinator
Work Experience
Wing Yi eagerly joined SAcommunity's media and communication team as an intern. Upon her arrival, she was warmly welcomed by the entire office, who organized an onboarding meet and greet to make her feel embraced as part of the team. This gesture created a welcoming and friendly environment that immediately put Wing Yi at ease.
Before embarking on her role at SAcommunity, Wing Yi received an orientation, induction as well as training from Connecting Up, which proved invaluable to her professional development. The training sessions covered a wide range of essential skills, including professional presentation techniques, advanced editing skills, telephone techniques and training in the versatile graphic design tool, Canva. Equipped with these newfound skills, Wing Yi felt more confident and well-prepared to navigate her responsibilities, ensuring a smooth workflow and maximizing her contribution to the organization.
During her internship, Wing Yi's primary focus was on writing media articles by crafting engaging blog posts that showcased various South Australian community organizations. She had the opportunity to create stories from media releases and blog posts for charitable and not-for-profit organizations, which could then be disseminated to audiences by utilizing SAcommunity media channels, the website blog, eNewsletter, and popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Wing Yi wrote blog posts to promote service activities that could be released through social media channels to help raise awareness and support for these organizations, amplifying their impact within the community.
On May 23, 2023, Wing Yi attended the monthly Connecting Up Teams meeting held onsite. This gathering served as a platform to report on the progress of various tasks, including but not limited to budget reports, sales reports, and business development updates. Attending this meeting provided Wing Yi with a firsthand understanding of the actual operational dynamics and breadth of work within the company. It offered a comprehensive overview of the company's functioning and shed light on the diverse aspects of its operations.
Intern Rhea Rao providing peer-to-peer capacity building for Intern Wing Yi
Media project, storytelling and blog post
Throughout the course of her internship, Wing Yi dedicated her efforts to crafting captivating blog posts for SAcommunity, effectively promoting various events across South Australia. Leveraging the professional knowledge and strong communication skills she acquired during her university studies, Wing Yi meticulously researched event information and composed compelling promotional articles for non-profit organizations.
Before proceeding with writing the blog posts, Wing Yi contacted the media teams of each organization, seeking permission to publish their respective events. Utilizing the SAcommunity email and telephone training templates, Wing Yi reached out to numerous community service groups via email and phone, ensuring a streamlined and professional approach to securing the necessary approvals.
Once the articles and blog posts were completed and the permissions granted, Wing Yi took the initiative to publish her work on the SAcommunity platform and social media accounts. This enabled the dissemination of the captivating content to a wider audience, effectively promoting the events and driving engagement.
Wing Yi located and received permission for media releases from multiple community organisations with assistance from Rhea Rao, for her e-newsletter, including The Migration Museum (Ahlan Wa Sahlan : Hospitality in Arabic Culture 4 February - 31 July 2023), The South Australia Maritime Museum (Dark things in dark places: The wreck of the Star of Greece 13 July 2022 - 06 August 2023), The Art Gallery of South Australia (First Friday: Echoes and Voices Fri 2 Jun 2023), shared her personal story (Volunteering at the Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival) and collated activities for the February Community Events 2023.
Community Event Storytelling Articles
Wing Yi shared her invaluable volunteer experience at the Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival 2023. Within her narrative, she elucidated the origins of her fascination with Japanese culture and the precise moment that sparked her interest. As she delved into her personal journey, Wing Yi passionately conveyed her emotions following the festival, expressing the profound impact it had on her. She articulated the invaluable experiences she gained, treasuring the deep connections she forged and the insights she acquired.
'I immensely relished the experience of crafting my personal story, as it afforded me the opportunity to share my passion and the profound influence that Japanese culture has had on me, allowing a broader audience to delve into the captivating facets of this intriguing cultural realm.'
Intern Wing Yi with Intern Nicole Cheng providing her with peer-to-peer assistance
Teamwork, people and culture
Throughout her internship, Wing Yi actively engaged in regular communication with her coworkers, fostering an environment of collaboration and idea-sharing. They would frequently discuss and exchange ideas regarding the creation of media content, providing mutual support and cultivating a strong sense of trust and team spirit among them.
On May 17, 2023, a Zoom meeting took place, centered around IDAHOBIT Day. During this meeting, one of Wing Yi's colleagues shared their personal experience, shedding light on the importance of inclusivity and acceptance. The virtual gathering served as an opportunity for Wing Yi to connect with coworkers from the Brisbane and Melbourne offices, offering a deeper understanding of Infoxchange's company culture and values. It became evident that Infoxchange was dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels secure and respected.
During volunteer Week, the team coordinator thoughtfully prepared cakes to celebrate and recognize the valuable contributions of the team members. This gesture not only united the team but also made each member feel appreciated and valued for their efforts.
Moreover, Infoxchange organized a cultural lunch day where staff members brought their own traditional food to share. This delightful activity allowed individuals to learn more about one another's backgrounds and fostered a sense of inclusivity within the company. It demonstrated Infoxchange's commitment to embracing and celebrating diverse cultures.
'Working in a real office environment allowed me to gain firsthand insights into the dynamics of people and culture within a company. It is an invaluable experience for me and cannot be read in textbooks.'- Wing Yi
Intern Wing Yi with Rob Kalka Business Development Manager, Connecting Up, Infoxchange
Mentor Informational Interview Experience
On May 23rd, 2023, Wing Yi had the privilege of meeting her self-selected mentor from the ~140 Infoxchange staff members available. She chose Robert Kalka, a seasoned Business Development Manager at Infoxchange. With a genuine desire to expand her knowledge of the marketing and business industry, Wing Yi sought guidance from Robert to refine her marketing strategies and gain deeper insights into the inner workings of the industry. Robert was selected as her mentor due to his extensive and diverse experience in the marketing and communication field, aligning perfectly with Wing Yi's career aspirations.
It is an invaluable opportunity for Wing Yi to engage in a meaningful conversation with someone currently thriving in the very profession she aspired to pursue. The mentor program allowed her to explore the possibilities within her desired career path and gain valuable insights into the skills and preparations necessary for success in the field.
In preparation, Interns pre-prepare 5 key questions which are checked and emailed, and then after their meeting they record 5 key takeaways from their mentor informational iinterview for reflection.
Intern Wing Yi recording her internship experience and mentor takeaways
Key Takeaways
1. In the role of business development, the primary focus revolves around identifying products, designing product mixes, and seeking out opportunities. This entails actively analyzing the market, assessing customer needs, and strategically positioning products to maximize their potential.
2. Effective communication skills are indispensable in the marketing and business industry. They play a pivotal role in fostering enduring relationships with business partners and clients. Strong communication skills enable professionals to understand and address the unique needs and preferences of their customers, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty.
3. Apart from technical expertise, working in the business industry demands additional skills such as self-motivation, excellent organizational abilities, and effective time management.
4. Building trust between working partners is a vital aspect of the marketing and business industry. Trust fosters open and honest communication, promotes collaboration, and establishes a solid foundation for successful business operations. It cultivates a sense of reliability and integrity, which strengthens professional relationships and encourages long-term partnerships.
5. Through hands-on experience, professionals develop a deep understanding of the market dynamics, customer preferences, and effective marketing strategies. So working experiences is important for working in marketing industry.
Telephone techniques training
Throughout the internship, Wing Yi was prepared in order to contact and/or potentially conduct interviews with various organizations to gather details about their activities, this is through email templates provided but also through follow-ups as/if needed by phone.
Recognizing the importance of effective communication in such interactions, Connecting Up offers all volunteers and interns, including Wing Yi, specialized training in telephone techniques. This training focused on enhancing her interviewing and conversational skills, equipping her with valuable tools to navigate telephone conversations with confidence.
Wing Yi received telephone technique instructions and telephone script templates and engaged in multiple simulated scenarios with staff and team members, preparing her to handle a wide range of possible conversation dynamics. This training served as a valuable resource in honing her ability to potentially gather information effectively and be prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue during her interviews if this eventuated.
Training and Education - Professional Development
Wing Yi has expanded her expertise in media and communication through an array of training and educational webinars provided by the Connecting Up digital learning platform.
These training webinars are offered free of charge to interns and volunteers and team members select topics of interest to them and that they feel will assist them in their internship or volunteer or career journey, while also assisting them in their current role, crafting content for SAcommunity media projects.
Through the webinars, Wing Yi augmented her comprehension of popular social media platforms, acquiring invaluable strategies to aid her in the future development of campaigns and communication strategies. She also deepened her knowledge of common software applications and communications tools such as Canva.
The following are the training webinars Wing Yi selected each week during her internship. Interns are asked to provide a reflection on the main points relevant to them from each chosen webinar learning experience.
Week 1: How to create a winning social media strategy
By attending this webinar, I will gain valuable insights into effective strategies for engaging and capturing the attention of my target audience. I will acquire the knowledge necessary to create a comprehensive social media plan and utilize tools that can assist in identifying my specific target audience. Furthermore, the webinar will provide me with the necessary skills to efficiently schedule my social media posts, ultimately leading to success in the realm of social media marketing.
Week 2: Intro to Microsoft 365 by Conan Daly, The I.T. Team
During this insightful webinar, I acquired valuable knowledge on the extensive range of productivity tools available in Microsoft 365. Specifically, I learned how to effectively utilize "Teams" as a means of seamless communication and collaboration with my colleagues. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of lesser-known functions such as Forms and Power Automate, which have the potential to greatly enhance my organization's efficiency.
Week 3: Perfecting your plan for your non-profit – Feb 2023
Through this webinar, I had the opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge on crafting captivating website designs. The session covered essential information on effectively structuring a website and strategically planning its content. This newfound understanding will undoubtedly contribute to the enhancement of my design skills, equipping me with the necessary tools and insights to create engaging websites in the future.
Week 4: Recording of ELMO - 2023 HR Industry Benchmark Report
As someone who has a keen interest in the HR industry, I was eager to delve deeper into its operations and current state. This webinar not only offered valuable insights into the industry, but also provided access to the 2023 HR Industry Benchmark Report, offering data-driven insights that are crucial for navigating the intricacies of today's complex employment landscape. The aspect that particularly caught my attention was the introduction to the role of a remuneration specialist because I was not familiar with this part. This new knowledge has sparked my curiosity and further enriched my understanding of the diverse roles within the HR field.
Understanding Marketing Automation & Personalisation
Attending this webinar proved to be immensely beneficial for expanding my knowledge in the field of marketing, particularly in the realm of marketing automation. Prior to the session, the concept of marketing automation was unfamiliar to me. However, the webinar provided a comprehensive introduction to this concept and equipped me with the necessary information on how to automate and personalize marketing efforts. By learning about the tools and strategies involved in marketing automation, I now have a solid foundation for implementing more efficient and personalized marketing campaigns.
Week 5: Become a Canva King or Queen - Yvette Adams, The Creative Collective
The session not only enlightened me on reliable sources for accessing high-quality royalty-free stock imagery but also elevated my proficiency in designing captivating social media posts. The newfound knowledge and skills I gained from this webinar will undoubtedly have a significant positive impact on my ability to create visually appealing and engaging content. It helps me to create some attractive cover of creative content during my internship.
SAcommunity February 2023 eNews
Upon successfully wrapping up the media project, Wing Yi embarked an eNews media release for February 2023. This undertaking aimed to provide the public with a convenient and comprehensive overview of the diverse array of events scheduled for that month.
Diligently curating the calendar, Wing Yi skillfully employed her acquired design skills from university, leveraging tools provided such as BeePro and Canva to impeccably craft an aesthetically pleasing and informative calendar.
“I think it is a valuable chance to put my design prowess into practice, seamlessly blending my academic knowledge with real-world applications.” -Wing Yi
Media & Communication Team Interns: Nicole Cheng, Ada Wing Yi Wong, Rhea Rao, Jay Tayiana and Stephanie Hoi Ching Wu at Connecting Up
“Thank you for having me and this internship such a great working experience for me. “ ~Wing Yi Wong
