Checkpoint #2:
Presentations & Projects

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As always, my week as an intern at the University has flown by! I’ve been especially busy last week mainly because of various networking events I was invited to, lecture briefings I had to assist with delivering and initiating action on projects I’m leading.

I’m still in disbelief that I’ve been on placement for 8 weeks out of 52. It really doesn’t matter whether I am student or staff at the university, the academic year always without fail flies past! The saying, “time flies when you’re having fun!” really applies to my time at university. Looking back at the last 2 years as a student, it seemed like a fast-paced blur which still applies to my time as staff.

This is one of the pioneers of writing these checkpoint post, I want to track everything I’ve learnt thus far before it finishes in a blink of an eye!

As I’ve said, I’ve been involved with a variety of different things and as a person who enjoys having a busy agenda, I was enthusiastically taking each opportunity as a way to help with my personal and professional development.

Presentations

Over the years, I’ve been involved in theatre groups at school and from this, I realised that I do actually enjoy talking (acting in the past) in front of an audience but whenever I hear the word “presentation”, dread and anxiety fill me up only the seconds before I have to present. I’m sure I’m not the only one!

Throughout my degree, I’ve planned, lead and delivered presentations and from this, I’ve slowly learnt how to use the nerves in my favour. I still have a lot to learn (and I can’t wait to learn all the tips and tricks!) but I’m glad that I was able to practise and impress my manager this last week.

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Projects

I am one of the Green Impact Lead for the university this academic year, I was pleased to be assigned to the post because it has given me a chance to enhance my leadership, professionalism and organisational skills as well as make me weary of the university’s wider sustainability project.

Being in charge of this project has definitely sparked my interest in ways I can contribute to making a green impact, even outside work!

So far, I’ve chaired a meeting for the project, recruited a student assistant and drafted out a plan for the year – even received positive feedback from current communications to my team and wider University! I’m excited to see how we can go above and beyond the criteria and of course, helping out wider society even if it is just a tiny percentage. Remember, the earth is what we all have in common.

You can find out more about Green Impact here.

Round-up

From the breadth of experience I’ve been exposed to not only in this week but so far in my placement has made me realise how much I enjoy communicating to people about things I am knowledgeable of and passionate about. Eager to see what’s in store in the future!

Do you have any tips in delivering presentations? Have you ever led a project before – share with me your experiences below!

9 responses to “Checkpoint #2:
Presentations & Projects”

  1. Whoo hoo for being productive. I think it’s great you’ve been kept busy with all these presentations and projects. These skills you gain from these will definitely help you in your future since many of these skills you will carry over into your future career.

    I can’t say I have any tips about presentations because I avoided doing those as much as I could all my life. But projects? I can give you tips on that! The biggest tip I can give you is to plan out an outline of what needs to be done and tackle those tasks little by little every day. I’ve learnt the hard way to never do everything at the last minute. Of course I didn’t really take that advice when I was in uni, but I did take that advice when I worked and was doing post-grad XD; I learnt that doing things little by little helps a lot, and it keeps you on track!

  2. I am still in shock that Tristan and me have been in school for 3 years now. I was actually supposed to graduate in the year 2017, but I pushed it back due to some classes that I had to drop and re-take over at a later time. Being productive is an amazing feat! By being productive time seems to fly right past us. Doesn’t it? Whenever I’m speaking to my friends about my college life and how long Tristan and I have been there, their eyes bulge. They can’t believe how far we’ve gotten in college – heck, nor can I. I’m extremely close to getting my associates degree (I just need to pass one more math class then I get it).

    I don’t know if I have any tips or not, but I do know one – Just breathe and relax. Don’t lock your legs/knees.

  3. I always found myself surprised about how fast time is flying by when I was at school. Counting down the weeks til finals was always my way of measuring things XD. Not sure about now though ;o.

    Yes! The more presentations you give, the better you become at it whether it’s through public speaking or even putting your slides together. Less is more :). Go show the world how much of an awesome leader you can be (and make me proud along the way)~

    I have an easier time presenting when my slides are minimal. I have the flexibility to talk and not stutter because I have to follow some script. Hand gestures are helpful!

  4. I’m so glad that you’re enjoying your placement! I hope that you continue to learn from it.

    I feel college flies by for everyone. I’m very reluctant for my experience to end.

    As for presentations, I haven’t given a lot so far but I’m hoping to do more in the future so that I can hone my skills. One thing I’ve learned in the presentations I have done is to be yourself. Just do you and all the things that make you you.

  5. That’s awesome that you’ve been getting so much experience when it comes to leading and organizing a project! I’m really into green initiatives too, so I think that’s exciting that you’re one of the Green Impact leads šŸ™‚ I manage all of the projects my team works on, and I find that having a central planning tool that everyone can access helps a lot. We’re currently using Asana! We also check in on a weekly basis to make sure everyone is still on the same page.

    I think presentations get easier over time, but they can still be nerve-wracking! I always practice out loud multiple times. I’ve learned that practicing in my head is not enough and doesn’t truly prepare me. I’ll even practice while I’m in the shower, so my husband can’t hear me, haha. I also put a sticky note on my laptop of key points, so I don’t forget to mention them.

    Good luck with everything! I’m glad things are going well!

  6. Congrats! Leading projects is definitely a lot of work and it takes a lot of energy to lead rather than to merely follow. I can’t say I have any great presentation advice except the basic advice to practice talking and know your material. Try saying it in different ways; then if you mess up during the presentation, you already have a variety of ways for recovery.

    A great source is to watch great presenters and observe what qualities you like or even terrible presenters and note what made it bad. Steve Jobs was a great presenter. I love watching the video of when he revealed the iPod for the first time. He herded the audience and guided their thinking and desire into the final product. I also love great graduation ceremony speeches that inspires. Then for informational presentations, I would look at how some of my favorite professors delivered information. These are the hardest because it tends to be pretty dry. T___T

    Looking back, college is definitely my favorite time and I only wish I worked harder and narrowed down on my specialities. It seems like you’re doing a great job to get the most out of your experience.

  7. Aw, I love to hear that you are enjoying your internship so much! I always feel the same about the school year ā€“ it flies by so fast that I canā€™t believe Iā€™ve already graduated!

    I was the same with presentations. I hated them at first as Iā€™m not big into public speaking, but the more I did them the more comfortable I became with them and the more confident. I wouldnā€™t say I love doing them now and thereā€™s always room for improvement, but Iā€™ve come a long way. Itā€™s good to hear that you have, too! My advice really is to just practice. The more you practice the more kinks you get to work out and the more things I think of to say or add or questions to anticipate. Also, try to keep it interesting and definitely show enthusiasm!

    Youā€™re accomplishing so much in your time at school. Go Pauline!

  8. I’m so pleased your internship is going so well – it sounds like you’re really getting to grips with everything and thriving.

  9. You know about my experiences presenting! It was something that used to make me stress and I never liked it, but for some reason the words ā€˜doing a talkā€™ make me feel a lot better and sound less… less formal? Less serious?

    I did my first public presentation/talk last December and itā€™s crazy to think that it was so long ago. And I think itā€™s great that you enjoy communicating about what you are passionate about. That is what makes these kinds of presentations different from what you are made to do in class at university and stuff. Itā€™s just a horrible chore in class, but these presentations are a chance for you to show what you know. And if you like what you are doing it makes it even better. I will admit I like the attention and having people listen to what I have to say. That is part of what motivates me.

    I am not really a leader and have never led a project before. But as for delivering presentations, when it comes to the slides, I try to keep it really, really simple. I have a lot of notes and essentially have what I am going to say off-screen, but for the slides I only put a few points. Otherwise people will be reading the slides instead of listening to what I am saying. I am still finding it impossible to have my simple slides as a prompt, because even though I know what I am talking about, I have prepared a great talk with all the words written out and I donā€™t want to miss any part of that.

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