As a fresh-faced graduate from the University of Queensland, I’d expected a more tumultuous entry into the workforce. I’d expected at least a few months of job-searching, and Eat, Pray, Love soul-searching, before committing to any role.
So, when I was offered to join the Storyfest team as an Events Assistant straight after graduation, it was a rather welcome surprise.
My degree was in Communications, with a Major in Public Relations. While I had little experience in Events, I was open to learning and driven by a love of books and storytelling. Storyfest, the largest youth literature festival in Australia, would be the perfect opportunity to meet authors and be surrounded by the magic of books.
While that was true, the differences between full-time university and full-time work didn’t hit me until I started.
Having grown used to years of silent studying in the UQ Library, adjusting to Storyfest’s colourful office made me feel a bit like a vampire.
Yet I feel like many graduates can relate to that feeling. Not the feeling of being a sun-fearing monster, but the feeling of being thrown out upon uncertain waters. You don’t see how far it is until you’ve taken the jump.
Luckily for me, I had the most amazing coworkers and boss. The A Team consisted of a troupe of bright, powerful women. If I had questions, I wasn’t afraid to ask. The Storyfest team were open to guiding me, nurturing my individual skills and interests.
Over my short time at Storyfest, I gained crucial knowledge in basic accounting, administration, and events. I handled the ticketing platform for our Gold Coast festival and events, selling nearly 22,000 tickets and engaging over 15,500 attendees.
I assisted in developing a multitude of events, big and small. Besides our cornerstone three-day Gold Coast Festival, I also helped stage activations for Valentine’s Day and Family Fun Day, On the road… visits with acclaimed children’s authors such as Jacqueline Harvey, and most recently, Storyfest’s Annual Giving Day!
Each event had its own obstacles and learning curves, but now I have countless memories (and mental blooper reels) to return to from my time here. Despite having so few members, the Storyfest team operated like a well-oiled machine because we trusted each other and formed genuine bonds.
I was also pushed out of my comfort zone more times that I can count. From my first day, Storyfest’s CEO extraordinaire Andrea was keen on building upon the personal skills I’d developed at university.
I had never worked a corporate job before, and I wasn’t yet confident in my own abilities. But Andrea trusted me before I trusted myself. She pushed me to write media releases, content for magazines, interviews with authors (and this article). She listened to me, noticed my strengths, and helped build my confidence.
Earlier in the year, I held my very first interview with Storyfest’s Artistic Director, Megan Daley. And when I say my very first, I mean that it was, literally, the first professional interview I’d ever hosted! But I was challenged to simply push aside my doubts and apply the knowledge I knew – deep inside – that I had.
These were experiences I would never have gained had I not joined Storyfest. Had I not taken the leap, tried something new, and met the wonderful people that I had. Thanks to the many opportunities I was given for writing and engaging with authors, I’ve decided to follow a career in publishing.
As I move on from Storyfest now to pursue a Masters in Publishing at the University of Sydney, I reflect on all the ways I have grown since joining Storyfest. And I express my gratitude towards the team for being so supportive during this transitional period in my life.
I could not recommend Storyfest highly enough to individuals looking for hands-on experience in an exciting, fast-paced workplace. Whether for an internship or for professional placement, I guarantee that you will not regret your time at Storyfest!
