Job: Waitaki District Council communications adviser
Q) What jobs did you do before this one?
A) My first job many years ago was as a typist for State Insurance. Since then I have worked in a number of organisations, both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. After going to the University of Otago as a ''mature'' student, I decided to have a different career focus and work in the not-for-profit sector, starting with Save the Children, then Red Cross and finally St John. I now work at the Waitaki District Council in Oamaru.
Q) Why did you choose the career?
A) The short answer is because I was made redundant, but getting this job has created some great opportunities for me. I get to develop my communication skills, meet interesting people and work with a great team of people. Working in local government is giving me a unique insight into the services a council provides, of which there are many.
Q) How did you get it into and when?
A) When I saw the council job advertised, it literally leapt out at me (well, not literally!). This, I thought, could be the perfect job, the chance to continue working in the communications field but this time in a very different sector and in a different town. I was thrilled when I was offered the position and two weeks later I was packing my bags and heading for Oamaru (from Dunedin). I've been here five months and it has been a whirlwind time and I'm loving every minute of it.
Q) What qualifications, training and personal skills do you need?
A) It's good to have some experience in the communications and media field, but really it is about attitude and personal skills. You need to be able to juggle multiple projects, see the ''big picture'' and be prepared to make compromises. Having a desire to learn new things and being open-minded are very important.
Q) Any physical requirements?
A) A certain level of fitness, as you run up and down stairs during the day! (Including the basement and mezzanine, there are five floors in the council headquarters.)
Q) What appealed to you about the job you are doing now?
A) My two great loves are telling stories and interacting with people and in this job I get to do both. The council adopted an external communications strategy and I'm responsible for implementing it. I am constantly thinking about the different ways we as a council can tell our stories that are both informative and interesting. I enjoy meeting people and finding out what's important to them and how the council can help meet those needs. There's never a dull moment!
Q) What do you do on a daily basis?
A) A host of different things will come across my desk every day: writing articles for our flagship publication The Link, giving media advice to colleagues, producing brochures, liaising with journalists, writing communication plans for projects and public consultations and exploring ways to engage with members of the public.
Q) What is the most challenging aspect?
A) Starting work at 8am!
Q) What is the most interesting assignment you have had?
A) When I first started in this role I was involved in the annual plan process and was fortunate to have contact with people making submissions. It's a fascinating process.
Q) How has the job changed since you started?
A) This is a brand-new position and is evolving all the time. I've learned a lot since starting and continue to learn. Government legislation has recently changed and this will impact on how we engage with the public, an exciting time for me.
Q) What are the highs of the job?
A) Never knowing what's around the corner and the opportunity to work across all sectors of council.
Q) What are the lows of the job?
A) Starting work at 8am!
Q) What is the strangest thing you have had to do?
A) I had a media inquiry about a strange odour down near the Oamaru harbour. I found out that it is occasionally caused by the convergence of seaweed coming up on to the beach and a particular weather pattern.
Q) Where will you be in 10 years' time?
A) Who knows? I don't tend to plan that far in advance but I do know that I would have run the New York Marathon by then!
To be precise
If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing?
Travelling overseas somewhere - next stop Iran.
What did you want to be when you were 10?
Fast enough to keep up with my brothers.
What should 10-year-olds aspire to today?
Have fun and don't be in a hurry to grow up.
Name one thing you would change about your job?
The start time!
Do you get weekends and public holidays off?
Yes I do, although I could be asked to help out during a civil defence emergency.
