Written by Soren McKenzie, business student at La Trobe University, majoring in Marketing and Sports Management.
During my time at SenateSHJ I learnt so much, but the one thing I didn’t expect to learn was how to feel at home in a work environment.
SenateSHJ has such a warm and accepting culture and allowed me to feel comfortable, despite being a new addition to the workplace. From my first day, I was included in a wide variety of tasks that benefited me in terms of experience and industry knowledge. I have never felt so welcome and have truly appreciated and cherished my time here.
Throughout my internship, I worked across research tasks, client management, document editing, writing articles and case studies, preparing media summaries, and attending various client and internal meetings. These experiences significantly developed my understanding of what is required to thrive in the communication industry. I now have a clear appreciation of how essential communication is to every business and how SenateSHJ utilises these skills to create opportunities for its clients.
Initially, my biggest challenge was feeling accepted in a new field. However, I overcame this quickly thanks to the kindness and support of the team. The collaborative environment stood out to me immediately. SenateSHJ operates seamlessly, with strong communication and attention to detail evident in every project. Everyone is willing to help, which not only reduces stress but increases efficiency and strengthens outcomes.
This experience has played a major role in shaping my career thinking. Being part of such a professional and supportive organisation has opened my eyes to future possibilities. I hope to carry the skills and confidence I’ve gained into real-world situations and, once I complete my degree, work in a workplace like SenateSHJ.
I am especially thankful to Angela, Tia, Melissa and Amy for guiding me and helping me understand different aspects of the field. Being treated as a colleague whose opinion holds weight has been one of the most meaningful parts of this experience.
To any students considering work experience in this field, I strongly recommend taking the opportunity. The insight, skills and real-world exposure gained are invaluable and will prepare you for the industry ahead.
