Friday 24 December 2010

In a New York minute...

There's a song by The Eagles that goes "In a New York minute, everything can change..."

That pretty much describes the moment in the car, with my mum, when I suddenly decided that acting wasn't for me and I wanted to do something else. After a major freakout, having wanted to act since I played Cinderella in Year 2, I decided Events Management was for me.

I was even more sure of this when in New York walking down Broadway and not wishing I was performing. Instead, I was wishing we hadn't agreed to go out with the hostel. The group were all male (except for two girls who I think must have got off the subway on route and gone back) and included one charming man who turned out to be homophobic, sexist and racist... nice.

I spent the summer gaining work experience. I volunteered for Tmesis Theatre Company and worked at a major music festival. In September I began looking for a job. I'd been thinking for a while that I would like to work for a charity and I'd heard that internships at charities are usually worthwhile (not just tea making). I saw an advertisement for a Running Events Executive in Glasgow for Oxfam and applied hoping that I'd get an interview. I didn't think I'd get the internship as I knew the voluntary sector is extremely competitive - after my interview I went and got a manicure so at least I'd have nice nails for when I received the "thanks, but no thanks" email.

But I got it and I couldn't be happier. In the last 3 months I've learnt so much and I'm beginning to think that Events Marketing (particularly charity and sport based) is where I'm headed. I have gone to running events all over Scotland, I've written a marketing plan, I can do a SWOT analysis, I get to work with two other interns who are just fab (we help each other and both are always up for a chat = take note intern2 Notes From the Intern) and best of all I know I'm helping people while furthering my career.

I can't say that all internships with all charities will be as beneficial as mine's turning out to be but if you're interested then have a look at these sites.

Third Sector
Guardian Voluntary Sector Network
Charity Job
Oxfam Internships

Thursday 16 December 2010

Run around the Shops/Run for Oxfam

Did you know that the average woman will walk more than a marathon when Xmas shopping?

And that she will burn more calories?

I didn't know that either until I started thinking about ways I can show potential runners that a marathon isn't out of reach. You just sometimes have to think about it in a different way.

So that's why I was in Marks and Spencer on Princes Street last Saturday promoting running for Oxfam in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2011 with my 4 gorgeous volunteers. (Nick, Andy, Cate & Elizabeth thank you so much) We were there to offer weary shoppers the same support we show our runners on race day. We cheered them on, made them smile and gave them free massages from two very hunky masseuses.

The week before had been filled with stress. Will the snow stop us getting there? Are the army really being deployed in Edinburgh? Will febreze stop the santa suit smelling?

That's why despite having to get up at 4.30am, it being absolutely baltic and having to use my eye rescue cream to look remotely human I was v.excited to arrive at Central Station and the trains be running. We got to Edinburgh by 7.30am, headed straight for the store and were ready to go at 8am.

In the morning we were placed in both the cafes. We went round and spoke to shoppers about what we were doing while they were grabbing a quick coffee. A lot of people were really interested in Oxfam and surprised that we are now involved in running events. I spent the morning running between the two cafes making sure Andy wasn't being taken advantage of by the many women getting massages and Nick hadn't passed out from heat exhaustion whilst wearing the Santa suit. I needn't have worried, he seemed to be enjoying it!





In the afternoon with the cafes rammed we switched tactics and cheered on the shoppers at various points in store. We gave out stickers, balloons and flyers and told as many shoppers as possible that they were actually doing a marathon. Not many thought they could actually run a full marathon and instead requested info about the 5K, 10K and 1/2 marathon which, are also taking place during the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. By 3pm the store was full and shoppers were frantic so we called it quits and caught the train home.

Upon arriving back in Glasgow I collapsed into my bed to mull over the day and get a well deserved nap! (How I have missed them since graduating) Whilst enjoying how comfy my bed is and thinking about what would happen on X Factor I realised something that made my tired legs worth it.  There are children that walk 26 miles a day to get water and they don't come home to a comfy bed like me. Women across Scotland will sit down on Xmas Eve with an alcoholic beverage, promising themselves that they will start earlier next year and rubbing their sore feet. They've walked 27 miles during December; there are children that do this everyday.

So when you think about it a marathon or 1/2 marathon is achievable - it just takes determination.

Determination is Everything.