My GC2018 Internship Journey

Written by Brittany Bell


What can I expect?

My name is Brittany Bell and I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications/Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing.

I’m really excited to be joining the Spectator Experience and Customer Service Integration team, which works on providing the best experience possible to spectators of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

There is a lot of uncertainty going into an internship, but I know I will definitely gain valuable skills and knowledge from working at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC), especially from colleagues that have worked on Games all around the world. I’m excited to step out of the “Uni Life” and into a working environment and taking in everything that comes with it, from networking with people internally and externally and seeing my work come to life to being able to learn the basic skills needed in any workplace.

I really am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing myself to work on projects that will leave me part of the legacy of GC2018.

Although I haven’t commenced yet, I know that my experiences at GOLDOC are going to be so valuable and vital any career path I look to follow after my studies end.

I’ll be sharing my experiences along the way once the internship commences, to show all of the different types of projects I work on and alongside during my time at GOLDOC.


Halfway mark

While I am now halfway through my internship, I feel as if I have been at GOLDOC much longer. The staff are more than welcoming and great to work with and it’s such as positive work environment.

Now that I have been here for several weeks, I have been immersed in so many different, exciting and rewarding experiences. From researching, working on and budgeting for major enhancements for spectators to press releases, sitting in venue meetings and Brisbane City Council and Office of Commonwealth Games seminars.

I have been leading on and aiding several different mass scale projects that will directly impact the experience a spectator will have during Games time. Knowing that everything I work on will be a legacy forGC2018 makes coming to work every day so exciting but diverse. My experiences have been invaluable and will no doubt set me up for success in my career. I have been able to meet and network with such knowledgeable people, internally whilst working with most of the Functional Areas within GOLDOC and externally.

Besides the obvious professional development I have gained from my internship, I have definitely enhanced my time management skills. Being able to juggle an internship, some study and the balance of my “normal” life has been eye-opening and will certainly help balancing my future studies.

I knew that I would gain such a valuable and worthwhile experience but this internship exceeds my expectations everyday. It would be one of the best experiences I have had to date and I would recommend it to anyone who is considering undertaking an internship at GOLDOC.


Where to next?

Now I have completed my internship, I am working at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) full time as a Spectator Experience Officer.

I have gained so much experience, through everything I have done I have learnt or gained something valuable from it that will benefit me for the rest of my career and life. I have made so many connections that has taken my networking to another level.

It’s a really exciting time as GOLDOC moves closer and closer to Games time. There are key elements of the spectator experience journey that my team and I are delivering which is becoming really exciting as things start to become real.

I have also finished this semester High Distinctions for my 40CP load, which has boosted my GPA. This internship has really been valuable to me in every aspect. From networking, professional and personal development, my academics and even friendships that I have made from doing this internship.

Completing this internship has definitely been one of the best things I have done. For my career and future, it will enable me to travel the world, work on a range of different events and in different organisations.