Written by: Jeremy Pitt (GC2018 Games Family Intern)
Entry 1: My first taste of GOLDOC
My name is Jeremy. I am studying a Bachelor of International Business and was lucky enough to secure a position as a Games Family intern.
Today was the welcome presentation for all the GOLDOC interns. It’s great to have so much information about the role so early on. As someone who can’t help but stress the small stuff I feel at ease knowing I won’t be thrown into the deep end.
At the end of the presentation our supervisors took us around the office and introduced us to the people we will be working with. They were all really nice and the office has a very positive and happy vibe.
I am incredibly excited to meet the rest of the people I will be working with and contributing where ever I can.
Entry 2: First Week Excitement
On the nights leading up to the beginning of my internship my mind was a restless whirlwind of questions, like; what are they going to get me to do? Will I be thrown into the abyss of the unknown? Or guided gently to the threshold of knowledge and experience?
I am pleased to report that my experience was the latter of my expectations. The first half of the day was a general welcome training for all new employees and interns. Here is where we did our photos.
HINT: The non-smiling photo is the one you will end up wearing around your neck so practice your serious face!
The entire week was packed full of information. Our on boarding coincided with each of our supervisors needing to meet with people from many of the other Functional Areas (FAs) so our days were spent attending meetings, meeting new people and learning about everyone’s role inside and outside of Games Family Services. Furthermore, each member of the team set aside an hour in the meeting rooms to talk in detail about what they do.
At the end of the week, my mind was turgid with new information. The clique of a good organisation being like a machine stands true. Some employees are cogs, others are belts and springs and all of which work together to form one smooth motion of production.
New Interns may feel overwhelmed at first. It’s a lot like learning a card game. At first you see a lot happening and only half understand what’s going on but, given enough explanation in conjunction with playing along, sooner or later the pin drops and you know when to say ‘UNO’. I take this as a life lesson, as fear can dictate so much of what we do (or more appropriately – not do) and it’s important to maintain a sense of foresight and understand the natural progression of things.
Entry 3: Games Family Services
I was only 4 weeks in and already felt like part of the team, entirely assimilated into the GOLDOC machine.
Games Family Services (GFS) is a very broad and obscure FA and certainly one that cannot be entirely understood from an outsider’s observation. In essence, GFS looks after the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) delegates and the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) delegates. The CGF is the London based federation that oversees the planning of the Commonwealth Games by regulating the organisational committee responsible for the games, i.e., GOLDOC. The CGAs, on the other hand, are the associations of all 70 countries that are participating in the Commonwealth Games. As you could imagine, these parties need a lot of information on just about everything as every Games are different and every country has its own legislation that must be adhered to. GFSs job is the bridge of communication amongst these organisations and hence are essential for the smooth execution of the Commonwealth Games.
The biggest event for all information on the Games is held prior to the games and it is called the Chefs de Mission Seminar (CdM Seminar). The CdM Seminar is held in October and it is the event I have been assigned to organise. So far I have planned the layouts of the trade booths, completed a plan for the numbers and use of the radios, laptops and printers and assisted in the recruitment of volunteers for the seminar, just to name a few accomplishments.
From speaking with other interns it was apparent that the amount of work given varies drastically. Take initiative and remember this is your chance to be a part of something big and learn skills beyond what university and even other internships can offer. Be proud to be part of the program and embrace any and all opportunities. If you find yourself with a lot of spare time throughout the day, you’re not alone but what will separate you from the others is your initiative. Griffith University advertises to ‘be remarkable’ — I can assure you this trait is entirely intrinsic and directly propitiate to your motivation.