EXPECTATIONS (10 hours)

Credit: photographed by Roslyn Grossman

It’s a usual Monday morning, but I am a little tired (I didn't slept very well) and I am are extremely nervous and anxious about the day ahead.

Butterflies in the pit of my stomach, I set off to start my design internship with RSPCA Queenland. I will be interning with the Market Department within the Head Office, which is situated on Wacol Station Rd, in Wacol. Upon my arrival, I call Christian Bowman who is the Head of Marketing and Digital, my contact and supervisor. He greets me warmly before kindly buying me a Chai latte from the RSPCA cafe. I am then introduced to Kara (Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator) and am lead through a series of corridors and a flight of stairs before we eventually emerge from the labrinth and are now in the belly of the beast- the Marketing Department.... I am so exited and cant wait to begin!

Over the next 12 weeks I hope to investigate how their creative, account management and production services are delivered to their 'clients' ( all internal stakeholders) and understand what makes the studio tick when it comes to inspiration, work and design.

As I sit at the desk asigned to me I ponder my expectations: • to learn how a professional in-house design studio works and operates

• to be able to utilise the design skills that I have learned throughout my academic career

• to gain some professional experience

• to be mentored and given constructive feedback

• to contribute ideas and colloborate on the creative process

* to be treated with respect and as a valued member of the team * to acknowledge that I am not a professional designer and am still learning • to gain some professional work for my portfolio

• to possible gain some commisioned or contract work with the RSPCA in the future

• to gain network opportunities now and in the future

• have the opportunity to explore the running of the RSPCA Brisbane campus

• interact with other department staff

• interact with all the beautiful animals Christian and I sit down and have a chat as to what his ( and the RSPCA's) expectations are of me; they are as follows:

Skills:

• utilise my design skills using the Adobe creative suite

• engage my people skills - both in the team environment and stakeholders from other departments

• effective time management - provide time estimations and meet deadlines

Tasks:

Design a range of print and digital collateral including:

• posters

• advertisments

• flyers

• web banners

• infographics

• brochures

• and anything else assigned to me by a member of the marketing department.

Behaviour:

• be a good listener

• be active in note taking

• proactive in making sure I have full comprehension of tasks

• respect team members, clients and stakeholders

• proactively advise if having any problems or issues with assigned tasks

Dress Code:

Office appropriate

• no shorts

• no singlets

• no thongs

All-in-all I think we are all on the same page. At this point I feel like there is no "gap" in expectations to bridge.

May the adventure begin!

Credit: Courtesy of RSPCA Queensland