Chapter NewsReach<strong>in</strong>g outA public relations <strong>in</strong>ternshiphelped UWS graduate NaimaOmar secure an excit<strong>in</strong>g fulltimejob as <strong>the</strong> CommunityParticipation Coord<strong>in</strong>ator fornew AFL team, <strong>the</strong> Greater<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Sydney</strong> GIANTS.Naima began her career at UWS Careers& Cooperative Education (CCE) as <strong>the</strong>Communications and Events Assistant.Through this role, she found out about<strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternship, which she says helpedher pr<strong>of</strong>essional progression immensely.‘It has given me different skills thatI now utilise <strong>in</strong> my current role suchas time management, organisation,<strong>in</strong>terpersonal skills and a general workethic that has helped not only <strong>in</strong> thisrole but which I will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to usethroughout my career,’ Naima says.Her busy role with <strong>the</strong> GWS GIANTSis focused on several key areas.‘The first is build<strong>in</strong>g and streng<strong>the</strong>n<strong>in</strong>gcommunity relationships – for example,we have a really important and dynamicrelationship with UWS, where we provideUWS students with various opportunitiesto be part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> GIANTS team through<strong>in</strong>ternships and volunteer opportunities.We love com<strong>in</strong>g to UWS events suchas Open Day to meet with students andto be actively <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Sydney</strong> community,’ she says.Naima also looks after CauseRequests from <strong>the</strong> community, suchas send<strong>in</strong>g out merchandise andpromotional materials, and organis<strong>in</strong>gmeet<strong>in</strong>gs with community organisations.‘Requests usually come <strong>in</strong> from notfor pr<strong>of</strong>it organisations, local sport<strong>in</strong>gclubs and educational <strong>in</strong>stitutionswhere <strong>the</strong>y seek donations such asGIANTS memorabilia to support <strong>the</strong>ir<strong>in</strong>itiatives. My job is to review eachrequest and determ<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong> type andlevel <strong>of</strong> potential GIANTS support.’’‘Ano<strong>the</strong>r really excit<strong>in</strong>g part <strong>of</strong> myjob is manag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> GIANTS playerappearances. Endless requests comethrough from organisations who ask forGIANTS players to attend an event orGWS star Israel Folau lends a help<strong>in</strong>g handto take part <strong>in</strong> activities for a specificcause. It is my job to determ<strong>in</strong>e whichones are worthwhile, to pitch <strong>the</strong>appearance request to <strong>the</strong> GIANTSFootball Department and determ<strong>in</strong>eschedul<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> appearance. I amalso required to draw up <strong>the</strong> Player Briefand at times attend <strong>the</strong> event itself tomake sure everyth<strong>in</strong>g runs smoothly.’‘My favourite aspect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> job is that<strong>the</strong> role is very diverse and <strong>in</strong>teractive– I get to liaise with different peopleand different community groups. Iam right <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> action!’ she says. ‘It’sa great time to be <strong>in</strong>volved with <strong>the</strong>GIANTS – it’s fantastic to be part <strong>of</strong>this grow<strong>in</strong>g team and <strong>the</strong> Greater<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Sydney</strong> community.’Hav<strong>in</strong>g had such a positive experienceherself, Naima encourages o<strong>the</strong>rstudents to stay <strong>in</strong> touch with <strong>the</strong>Cooperative Alumni Network (CAN).‘The Cooperative Alumni Network isa fantastic benefit for all UWS studentswho did an <strong>in</strong>ternship through <strong>the</strong>CCE. My advice to CAN members isto stay <strong>in</strong> touch with UWS and CCE.It is a great network to be a part <strong>of</strong>and I love go<strong>in</strong>g to CAN functions.You get to listen to amaz<strong>in</strong>g guestspeakers from various <strong>in</strong>dustries,meet current and former UWS CCEstudents who are start<strong>in</strong>g or well with<strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong>ir career. It is a great network<strong>in</strong>gopportunity, where you exchangeexperiences, ideas, tips and networks.’’‘Also, when you are <strong>in</strong> a positionto potentially give back, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> way<strong>of</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternship opportunitiesto UWS students, do it. Support <strong>the</strong>system that has supported you!’24 GradLife November 2011
Cooperative Connectionsalumnionl<strong>in</strong>eUWS ALUMNIFACEBOOK FAN PAGEOur Facebook Fan page cont<strong>in</strong>uesto grow with over 1,600 fans!We hope to cont<strong>in</strong>ue to grow <strong>the</strong>page, so spread <strong>the</strong> word!Happy group at <strong>the</strong> Coop Awards Night – Left to Right: Michael Cox, Emmal<strong>in</strong>eTuza, Freny Tayebjee, Stacey Moseley, Michelle Duval and Daniel Krimmer.F<strong>in</strong>d us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/UWSAlumni<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Western</strong> <strong>Sydney</strong>(UWS) Careers & CooperativeEducation (CCE) providesservices to assist studentsto manage <strong>the</strong>ir careers andconnect employers with UWStalent.Through services such as UWSCareer Hub and placement programs,students are provided with a headstart <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g degree-relevant,paid <strong>in</strong>dustry experience. Students<strong>in</strong> return create valuable contactsand <strong>of</strong>ten f<strong>in</strong>d ongo<strong>in</strong>g work.The CCE has also formed <strong>the</strong>Cooperative Alumni Network (CAN)to support and stay <strong>in</strong> touch withhigh fly<strong>in</strong>g past students who havecompleted a placement program.They also assist members to developboth personally and pr<strong>of</strong>essionally.CAN provides events that <strong>of</strong>fer greatfood, activities and enterta<strong>in</strong>mentthat are <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest to members,as well as <strong>of</strong>fer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> chance tonetwork among <strong>in</strong>dustry partners.To get <strong>in</strong>volved:»»Like UWS Alumni – CooperativeAlumni Network (CAN) on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/UWS-Alumni-Cooperative-Alumni-Network-CAN/293692997310676 t<strong>of</strong><strong>in</strong>d out what’s happen<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>network and share your op<strong>in</strong>ions ontopics <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest.»»Register for <strong>the</strong> CAN Newsletter –distributed bi-annually. It conta<strong>in</strong>sexclusive details on upcom<strong>in</strong>g events.»»Attend<strong>in</strong>g CAN functions – giveseveryone a chance to catch up andm<strong>in</strong>gle!FOLLOW UWS ALUMNION TWITTERMore than 700 followers!We encourage all Twitter users t<strong>of</strong>ollow us. Tweet us @UWSAlumni,and help us spread <strong>the</strong> news evenfur<strong>the</strong>r by re-tweet<strong>in</strong>g (RT) ourposts to your followers.Follow UWS Alumni on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/UWSAlumniEvery UWS graduate is <strong>in</strong>vited to jo<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Coop Alumni Network.Membership is free. Jo<strong>in</strong> onl<strong>in</strong>e at www.uws.edu.au/CAN.GradLife November 2011 25