Interviewing Sian Wright, my housemate who has had multiple jobs in the marketing sector has opened my eyes to the many different paths that a media and communications qualification can take. I realised that despite our similar degrees that she catered to her interests within her career, taking on roles and responsibilities that suited her work values.
The interview
When planning for her interview I knew that our familiarity with each other would set the scene for a more relaxed conversation which was beneficial for a narrative style interview. I knew that I could ask deeper questions without hesitance or fear. I created a list of questions but knew as I heard answers that I would be able to listen and adapt.
Sian has had a myriad of roles in her career so far, she has worked in many marketing roles including for the University of Wollongong. She has worked at a PR firm in England and is currently in a corporate managerial role at a company called Novigi.
Work values
One of Sian’s biggest work achievements was planning events both in her professional and her personal life. Throughout that story her values of organising and helping others really shone through. She has always had an affinity for planning events for others to enjoy. Even in her current role at Novigi she is planning the corporate wine tour for her bosses. Planning is not only a skill she has developed with experience but a pastime she enjoys. This narrative was furthered with the alternative story of Sian organising a trivia night for her friends, hosting, researching and writing google surveys as well as coming up with a theme, were just some of the things she did to make the night a hit. (Carey, Walther, & Russell 2009, p.320). The pattern of planning and organising events for as she said, “often others to enjoy more than myself”, arose as a clear pattern.
Outsider witnesses noted during class that she had, ‘mum energy’.
Mentors & leadership
Comparing two types of work environments that Sian experienced allowed for a connection to her work value of positive leadership. When working overseas in England her role in PR was one of her toughest work places. Her manager had opposite values to her own and often demanded too much from her. The workplace hierarchy was based on who brought in the most money from clients and they did not value the work which Sian did which was more focused on the day to day. In comparison to her current work environment where they appreciate her for all the tasks she takes on. They have frequent conversations about her future at the company and she has two bosses that she regards as mentors. This positive effect has made her see a future at this company which has been a new experience for her.
Her bosses had a very high status in her club of life and she really values mentorship within her workplace.
“These members of our ‘club of life’ have often had different ranks or status within the ‘club’,”
(Russell & Carey 2002, p.2)
Future of work
Sian thinks that the future of work is more flexible. She had to move online in the pandemic and throughout September was a part of a Selftember program that allowed her to have a four day work week and one day of active self care. She thinks that programs like this will become more frequent and that a four day work week makes more sense in typical 9-5 jobs.
I found it insightful to discover the different roles she worked in and her work values as they really resonated with me. It was interesting to see how quickly the industry had developed in less than a decade so I think change will be the only constant in the future of work. Hopefully it is change for the better.
References
Carey, M & Russell, S 2003, ‘Outsider-witness practices: some answers to commonly asked questions’, The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, no.1, pp.1-22, <https://narrativepractices.com.au/attach/pdf/Outsider_Witness_Common_Questions.pdf>
Carey, M, Walther S, & Russell S, 2009, ‘The Absent but Implicit: A Map to Support Therapeutic Enquiry’, Family Process, no.48, pp.319-331<http://narrativepractices.com.au/attach/pdf/The_absent_but_implicit_-_A_map.pdf>
Russell, S & Carey, M 2002, ‘Remembering: responding to commonly asked questions’, The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, no.3, pp.1-13, <http://narrativepractices.com.au/attach/pdf/Remembering_Common_Questions.pdf>
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