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Lucy Blake
At the end of her internship at the Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS), Mary Gurgone was delighted to receive Lucy's reflections on her AfCAS experience as follows:
What did you expect to achieve with the internship?
My goal was to enhance the marketing of AfCAS, as well as to contribute my ideas for improving administrative processes, increasing the efficiency for AfCAS processes in the future. I also wanted to learn more about the work of AfCAS and how small not-for-profits run to improve the lives of members in their community, such as CALD seniors. Additionally, my goal was to raise awareness for the work and mission of AfCAS to the community and increase volunteer numbers.
How Did You Find the Internship Experience at AfCAS?
My internship at AfCAS was incredibly valuable and enjoyable. Mary, Anne and Shrutika provided me with important insights into the operations of a not-for-profit organisation and the diverse range of jobs/roles needed for smooth operation. Overall, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and will continue to use what I have learnt in my future activities/work.
What were your Learnings from the Internship?
The office work environment at AfCAS was a new experience for me, where I learned valuable lessons in teamwork, collaborating closely with AfCAS members both in person and online through email. I also gained a deeper understanding into the community that AfCAS serves and why their work is crucial for the well-being of seniors and volunteers alike. Additionally, I also learned how to effectively manage my resources such as timeover my 5 weeks at AfCAS and leverage my connections for support.
What were Some Highlights of the Experience?
I enjoyed creating an Instagram account for AfCAS and managing/posting on their other social media platforms, allowing me to channel my creativity when drafting posts and captions, aiming to increase AfCAS’s frequency of advertising to the community. Additionally, I also enjoyed getting to create AfCAS’s first newsletter. Another highlight for me was going to Chu Bakery with Mary, Anne, Shrutika and Marjorie in my first week, which helped me build relationships with them and learn more about them outside of the office. It was incredibly rewarding and memorable to see all the work I completed for AfCAS being utilised, allowing me to see the positive impact/contribution of my work to AfCAS's mission.
Any other comments?
I would like to thank Mary, Anne and Shrutika at AfCAS for supporting me throughout my internship, providing me with guidance and knowledge that made this experience so enjoyable. I would also like to thank the University of Western Australia’s McCusker Centre for providing me this opportunity.
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