Sydney Life

Part time work. Where would we be without it? In the past six years I've been a barista, child minder, kitchen hand, waitress, bar girl, administrator and picture framer. These hours have gone a long way to allaying financial responsibilities, maintaining lifestyle and fostering dreams of travel. Apart from the obvious monetary incentives, jobs whilst at school and uni have exposed me to new people, skills and ways of
experiencing the world.

One problem. I have completely neglected the value of good old fashioned industry related work experience.

While hospitality is a great business, making up much of my 'working life', I know that simply listing 'bar attendant' and 'formal waiting' on my CV is not enough to blow potential media mogul employers' socks off. There's only so
much a shiny and intricately patterned latte can say about commitment to a career in journalism.

I have been watching friends dedicate summer holidays or free days at uni to work experience in different organisations for years. I always felt guilty as the wayward traveller - working like mad during semester to save and then disappearing soon after 'pens down'.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to say for both experiences. They aren't mutually exclusive options. Travelling cultivates curiosity and endows you with perspective and a broader understanding of the world. Work experience,
in a field that interests you, gives you invaluable insight and plants the seeds for future opportunities where you can more practically reap what you sow.

I went to a student media industry day hosted by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance recently. With the motivating presentations came the stark reality that any hard core proof of determination to make it in the
game was seriously lacking on my part. In an 'epiphany' (or after someone bluntly said 'you can't say you want to be a journalist with only a few pieces to show for yourself!'), the importance of a large portfolio of work to establish credibility became very clear.

As the years go on, I feel I can't maintain the same part-time job 'pedis tool' logic which has conveniently taken my focus away from relevant industry involvement and understanding. Internships, work experience and opportunities to speak to industry professionals are all so accessible - if you have your eyes and ears open. For example, last night the Uni Media Society and radio group, SURG, co-hosted a media industry evening at Hermann's bar. Apart from the convenient bar tab incentive, it was a chance to 'network' and gain insights from a wide range of media professionals.

Up until very recently I've been looking to the future mostly with plans to travel rather than considering what I could achieve by immersing myself in Sydney opportunities. Now I'm reaching the final scenes of my degree with
only a couple of acts to go, it's definitely time for some restructuring - a reorganisation of time, priorities and action. I figure I can always disappear for a year or two at the end of my degree.

To state the blaringly obvious, true of all things in life, you're only going to get out what you put in. As much as I value my job sprinkling petals over elaborately decorated wedding tables, the part of me that wants to live out of a backpack has reconciled with the fact that it's time to get down to the business side of things…at least for a little while. With an exciting placement coming up, who knows what doors it might open up.