grounded in the business - University of Western Sydney

Chapter NewsReaching outA public relations internshiphelped UWS graduate NaimaOmar secure an exciting fulltimejob as the CommunityParticipation Coordinator fornew AFL team, the GreaterWestern Sydney GIANTS.Naima began her career at UWS Careers& Cooperative Education (CCE) as theCommunications and Events Assistant.Through this role, she found out aboutthe internship, which she says helpedher professional progression immensely.‘It has given me different skills thatI now utilise in my current role suchas time management, organisation,interpersonal skills and a general workethic that has helped not only in thisrole but which I will continue to usethroughout my career,’ Naima says.Her busy role with the GWS GIANTSis focused on several key areas.‘The first is building and strengtheningcommunity relationships – for example,we have a really important and dynamicrelationship with UWS, where we provideUWS students with various opportunitiesto be part of the GIANTS team throughinternships and volunteer opportunities.We love coming to UWS events suchas Open Day to meet with students andto be actively involved in the GreaterWestern Sydney community,’ she says.Naima also looks after CauseRequests from the community, suchas sending out merchandise andpromotional materials, and organisingmeetings with community organisations.‘Requests usually come in from notfor profit organisations, local sportingclubs and educational institutionswhere they seek donations such asGIANTS memorabilia to support theirinitiatives. My job is to review eachrequest and determine the type andlevel of potential GIANTS support.’’‘Another really exciting part of myjob is managing the GIANTS playerappearances. Endless requests comethrough from organisations who ask forGIANTS players to attend an event orGWS star Israel Folau lends a helping handto take part in activities for a specificcause. It is my job to determine whichones are worthwhile, to pitch theappearance request to the GIANTSFootball Department and determinescheduling for the appearance. I amalso required to draw up the Player Briefand at times attend the event itself tomake sure everything runs smoothly.’‘My favourite aspect of the job is thatthe role is very diverse and interactive– I get to liaise with different peopleand different community groups. Iam right in the action!’ she says. ‘It’sa great time to be involved with theGIANTS – it’s fantastic to be part ofthis growing team and the GreaterWestern Sydney community.’Having had such a positive experienceherself, Naima encourages otherstudents to stay in touch with theCooperative Alumni Network (CAN).‘The Cooperative Alumni Network isa fantastic benefit for all UWS studentswho did an internship through theCCE. My advice to CAN members isto stay in touch with UWS and CCE.It is a great network to be a part ofand I love going to CAN functions.You get to listen to amazing guestspeakers from various industries,meet current and former UWS CCEstudents who are starting or well withintheir career. It is a great networkingopportunity, where you exchangeexperiences, ideas, tips and networks.’’‘Also, when you are in a positionto potentially give back, in the wayof providing internship opportunitiesto UWS students, do it. Support thesystem that has supported you!’24 GradLife November 2011