Monday, December 16, 2013

Internship.

First week
It was really nervous going into the first day. I didn't know what is it going to be. It would be my first time working in a big big company. Something that i've always wanted to be a part of, an advertising agency. I've been thinking you know, what if next time my future sets here in an advertising agency. I don't really know what position i will be taking but just advertising.

I'm part of as a copywriter. That's going to count for something. Honestly, I don't know what a copywriter does. How the company works, what people are there, what positions are there, anything about the real world I just don't understand. It's like a whole new beginning. It's like studying again but you're applying it to work. I don't think what I study does apply to the work I am doing right now. It's so so different. Yes, in university you study about the concepts, the theories, the way how the media works, the arguments on content and production of content, almost everything. But then, when I came in the first few days, it's not like what you expected, seriously. It's about generating ideas, that's what they want from you.

Maybe it's different for each company and how they approach to advertising. But when I come in for the first few days, it's all about the ideas and you have to really REALLY good in generating ideas constantly. First day, bored. Nothing much there is for me to do. Family and the internet told me to go forward and ask, ask for jobs, do anything they ask, read books about it or just be proactive. But, first day, I can't really do it. I'm just held back by the fact that i'm actually working. So, I just sit there and try to do nothing even though in my heart i'm filled with desires to do work.

At first, in my heart, I wanted to be a part of something great. Something extraordinary. I want to do this, do that and just get involved in every single thing but I tell you, it's really hard. First day, got introduced to the team, went to Anthea, one of the copywriters in the company for work and ask me to think about some activities that a kid and a mum would do at a park with balloons. And from there, i've been thinking about it the whole day. Before that I was just trying to do my own research on the company's client but that didn't work out. Well, after that's all being done, i've got to do some administrations stuff, get the key to enter the building, got the documents that I need to get and everything else sorted out. Well, that's all I had to do for the first day. Nothing major, nothing big, just an introduction.

Going back I tell you, i felt so so exhausted. I just lay down on my couch for the whole night till the next day. I don't even have the energy to go for the next day but i pushed on. It was so hard for me. Imagine university, well, you can't compare to working life. University you get so much flexibility with the hours, you can even choose the best time if you're lucky. Work, it's Monday to Friday 9-6 every single day. Sometimes you work overtime, sometimes you even have to work during the weekends. Oh, I almost forgot, first day, I woke up so early thinking that the working hours is at 9, reach there at 8 30 and no one was there until 11! I'm saying that this working lifestyle change so much like it's a culture shock. Now I wonder why they say work is so much different. You have so many more things that you need to do, commitments rise and ah, I don't want to get into it. It's so massive the way how it transits from university to work. Step by step we go through life and this is one of the transitional phase of life.

Second day, third day. I get to design stuff for shell. First time I got the job, I was saying to myself I don't study design, I don't draw and no, this is another way of generating ideas. This has got to be the time that i've drawn the most. The ideas are not flowing and my drawing isn't the best so that job I got wasn't good but it's okay, at least I know how it works. These are some of the things that they would throw at you. It's a good experience. Another job is that I have to travel to deliver some documents to other companies. Like a post office guy! Well other than that, there's nothing much. Just staring at my computer screen the whole day and finding work to do. That's all.

Coming into the fourth and fifth, I'm already dreading myself to come to work. I don't know what I'm feeling. So many things that just baffles my mind. So many things i'm into question. The lifestyle that i'm coming into after staying in Melbourne for so long. So many things that I've to get used to. Working life, the life here in Malaysia, living with my mum, my own space and time, my freedom, my future and career, just so many things that I need to question. Sometimes coming back from work, I'm just so frustrated and exhausted with myself and work. I can't be happy because of the stress and the pressure that I'm putting myself into. My mum just would not understand and I don't blame her. I've been living with myself for so long, I don't know how is it like to live with someone else. That's another phase that I need to learn too. My mum sends me to work everyday. I can't drive and no, I can't stay out late even 12 is the latest for me. I'm forbidden to go out during the night especially mamak. Coming back, everyone is scared about safety and security. To be cautious about the things that happens at night, robbery and murder. It just adds another stress and worry to myself when i'm back. You don't have to worry about things like this back in Melbourne. It's new to me again.

I've never spend so much time with my family before. Been following my mum everywhere she goes, listening to every thing that she says, trying to be there for her every single day, go to places that she wants to go, letting her have control of the TV even though she doesn't watch it. As though she's my girlfriend. Saturday was family day that day and it was nice to see my cousins and everybody else. This is what I come back for, the reunion of the family, the gathering of adults and children of all the cousin. This is what I focus my holiday to be with. Nothing else. I really need an answer or just to be communicate my relationship with God. That Sunday was powerful, the message was strong and it really hit me even though there's so much difference in the atmosphere in the church comparing it to the church in Melbourne. That's all for the weekend really. Bought a lot of DVD's and just needed to watch lots and lots of movies this holiday!

Second week
Yes, passed first week now onto the second. Feeling dreadful again like I can't wake up to work but I can sleep through the weekend and wake up around the same time feeling fresher. Anyway, second week, more things to do but not more things like it would keep you busy the whole week and got no room left to do other things. More interesting things to do I can say.

Nestle Crunch Wafer is the biggie that I needed to do this week. First I got the TVC, that means the television ad that haven't got edited or put any soundtracks in. They asked me to think of something to write for the radio ad following the TVC. So was working closely with Anthea on it and came out with the script, got it done on Friday. Another was the Line campaign, this is really interesting because you get to know about what kind of ideas you have to campaign the whole thing. So we have to come up with something like a larger picture of everything and under it we implement the marketing plans. That's pretty interesting but my idea was unclear and it was just bad. But it's a good experience. I have to really learn how to suck it up and take it and try it again with a better idea! I really want to improve and I don't see a place or a person to help me or to guide to improve. One thing is that everyone in the office is so busy that they got not time for me really. I just want to do work and improve myself in things but I don't see the chance YET. Maybe in January after the New Year.

Weekends was boring. I was thinking of hanging out with friends . Do something or go out and just have fun because hey, coming back from Melbourne and no fun? It's not right. Just work and work and being so tired and all, I just want to get out and enjoy. Turns out everyone is busy and can't find someone to hang out with. The worst is when i'm not free then there's someone to call. Oh well, wrong timing at a wrong place sometimes. Oh did I mention?

THE HOBBIT: DESOLATION OF SMAUG IS AMAZING

I got to watch it on Thursday! That was fun. I tell you, being with my cousin, Wilson, I get to be myself, I'm so myself. That's why I love hanging out with him. I felt so me when i'm with him. Just wish to have more time with him. Really, he is the closest family to me compared to everyone. Love him for that.

Anyway, went to the concert my mum's been pestering all week. That's done. Sunday didn't go to church but spend the whole day with big brother and finally, Leanne. She doesn't like me. Oh no, don't want to hold my hand, don't want to do anything with me. That's so sad. Missed her first birthday and everything, she's really a one hard to please. But oh well, when she gets older, then probably I'll get to know her well and I hope I can be as close with her like me and Wilson. That's all I hope for. Not some formal and conservative thing going on like you have to be in your best behaviour. I don't want that. Anyway that's how I spend my weekend. Went to the shopping mall and just have a nice day with the family. And, I love love the family talk we had that night. Just me, my two brothers and my mum. I just like how I get to know their perspectives towards me. I really needed that because it helps me put into perspective and I know what i'm going through and what I need to get through. So it was all good.

It's been a roller coaster ride for me the past 2/3 weeks. Nothing but more things to discover. Learning each day as it comes.

No comments:

Post a Comment