Aims and Objectives: Weeks, Months, Years

More than slightly indulgent on my part, but I can’t think of a better place to list my aims and objectives for the rest of the year.  Given it is online, there is a little more at stake, for if I don’t achieve said goals, there is public record of my failures.  I have decided to split these into short-term and medium-term.  By medium-term, I am only stretching to 18 months.  I see no reason to hold this off any longer, so here we go.

The next 2 weeks (now- 04-03-2009)

This time two weeks, I will be sitting in PR Writing, on the Monday, I will have attended my first class of the Graduate Diploma, PR Theory & Practice.  Between now and then, I should be able to write 2 or 3 meaningful and engaged posts on this blog.  This ought to enable a rolling start to the semester, eliminating the possibility of being sluggish in the first few weeks. 

I will have sorted out my newspaper subscription, and managed to get back in the habit of reading the whole paper everyday.  In addition to this, keep up the current level of media engagement, by continuing to listen to a wide variety of podcasts and watching either the ABC or SBS news. 

I also want to start going to SAIL again, this time with the proper mind frame to tutor more effectively.  No point showing up week in, week out without being on the ball and in the right head space.

On a personal note, I should engage in rigorous exercise at least three days a week.

6 weeks (now- 01-04-09)

After 6 weeks of solid study, I should think about landing some sort of work placement within an agency.  I can also begin speaking with a few companies regarding an in house internship.  

This is around the time I should look to become active with PRIA, and the young communicator’s arm of the institute.  Seems like a great way to network and find out about opportunities around the traps. 

By this stage, I will have approached a number of NGO’s and not-for-profits regarding volunteer work within their public relations or communications committees. 

Fitness should be greatly improved by this stage, with exercise intensity being stepped up.

6 Months (now- 18-08-09)

By this stage, I should definitely have undertaken some sort of work placement, and be in the midst of an internship.  If not, I should be actively seeking an internship, something two-days a week. The idea will be to try out as many different settings as possible; agency, government and in house corporate. 

The first semester of university will have been a good one.  I am returning to learn, and I want to have produced quality work, hopefully returning a few high distinctions, as well as engaging and contributing in lectures and tutes.

1 Year (2010)

Having built an impressive array of experience in a variety of public relations and communications settings, I will hopefully spend 2010 working for an agency or in-house three to four days a week.  This blog will be updated regularly, and the quality of analysis and writing will be of a professional standard.  As a result, the traffic will have picked up, and it will be of some value as a resource to the profession. 

I will have been successful with a number of pitches, managed events, and improved my writing and verbal skills immeasurably.  The aim is to be an outstanding prospect as a graduate, so I need to be an excellent writer, with ambition to become even better. 

The regular exercise over the year, will improve my ability to stay mentally sharp and aid my professional presentation.