30537a - Progress Challenge 01

Okay, What's doing?  You have probably wondered what had been happening lately.  Well, here goes...

Finally, I have finished all the assignments fro 30537a and this is the first instalment of the unit for this Module.  I have a grade for Checkpoint A (no feedback, just a pass mark and no explanation for this) and am now awaiting feedback for Checkpoint B, so I can figure out what I can do better this time around before I upload my final assessment.

The good thing is that I got a Distinction (or is it a High Distinction) for the quiz I had done last week.

Anyway, here are my writings for Progress Challenge 01.

30537a - Progress challenge 1

By Colleen Sedgwick

For this task, you are required to conduct research into a design company within the field you wish to work in (e.g. a fashion magazine). You may conduct your research entirely from information online, but you may like to set up a meeting or start email correspondence with a representative from that company to acquire some of the facts needed to write this report. You must write a short response to all of the following questions:

1. What is the name of the company you are researching? Within which industry do they fall? Why did you choose this company over similar companies within this industry?

2.  Who is the director/head of the company? Where did they work before this role, and when did they begin this role?

3.  What are the other roles within this company, and who currently fills them? What is their background, and for how long have they filled these positions?

4.   What is the common pathway that these current employees took to gain their roles at this company? Did they all start out as interns, or does this company only hire designer with five years or more experience?

5.    Are there any current vacancies? Propose a strategy that you could implement to gain these positions.

6.    Does this company participate in any industry events, like conferences, talks or seminars? If so, where and when?

TIP: Navigate to the student forum to engage in the discussion with your peers.

Now that you have completed the Progress challenge, you may submit your work for feedback and discussion.

Instructions

• Write 500 words and complete as a PDF.

• Navigate to the self-check page to submit.

TIP: If you choose to complete each progress challenge as you work through the module, the process of completing your assessment tasks will take a lot less time.

Answer

The Company

It is not purely a design company but I chose the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission).  I would classify this industry under Media (i.e. mass media, broadcasting) – this may include coverage of a variety of topics like the performing arts, music, sport, education, and advertising.

I have three main reasons for choosing the ABC:

1.      Firstly, it has educational value;

2.      Secondly, I believe the network attracts people who want to work in the arts and media;

3.  Thirdly, I could also choose other broadcasting networks - SBS, Channel 9, Fox – however, the ABC’s influence has been the most profound because I of the shows I used to watch and the music I used to listen to (this includes Countdown, Triple J and its predecessor, 2JJ - before it switched over to being an FM station).

(126 words)

Who is the Director or Head of the Company?

Michelle Guthrie (BA, LLB) – Managing Director[1]

v     Studied an Arts/Law degree;

v     Joined in May 2016;

v     Background in both traditional broadcasting and digital media;

v     25 years’ of media experience;

v     Companies she has worked for previously include B Sky B, Google and Star TV.

Hon James Spigelman (AC, QC) – Chairman[2]

v     He served the ABC since the 1^st April 2012 and will be finishing on the 31^st March, 2017;

v     Also did an Arts/Law degree;

v   His background is mostly legal – he worked for both the NSW State Government and the Australian Commonwealth departments;

v     His experience in cultural and educational institutions included:

o       Chair of the National Library of Australia between 2010 and 2012;

o     Member of the Board of the Australian Film Finance Corporation between 1988 and 1992 (Chairman between 1990 and 1992);

o       Member of the Board of the Art Gallery of New South Wales between 1980 and 1988 (Deputy Chairman between 1983 and 1988);

o       President of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences between 1995 and 1998.

(174 words - Luckily for these people, they landed the 'plum jobs' with the ABC, due to their experience in politics, the media and law).

What are the other roles at the company and who fills them?

Board members

The ABC expects its Board members to have a background in at least one of the following fields[3]:

1.      The media industry, including broadcasting, digital media and/or digital technologies;

2.      Business or financial management;

3.   Corporate governance, including managing large and/or complex operations in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors;

4.      Cultural industry and/or cultural policy, including its administration.

Other employment

Other employees fill roles as reporters, producers, broadcasters, camera operators, web/UX designers and digital media experts[4].

(81 words)

What common pathways did these current employees take to get in there?

One can get employment in the ABC through the following channels:

1. Applying online[5];
2. Traineeship positions[6];
3. Indigenous opportunities[7];

(23 words)

Are there any current vacancies?

The ABC not only advertises on their own site about also sites like LinkedIn[8] and The Loop[9].

(18 words)

Does this company participate in any industry events?

I do not know of any recent events the ABC participates in, regarding the media industry.

(16 words)

(Total = 438 words)

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[1] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2016): About the ABC – Michelle Guthrie (BA, LLB), Managing Director, in http://about.abc.net.au/profile/michelle-guthrie/[7/03/2017 3:00:58 AM]

[2] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2016): About the ABC – James Spigelman (AC, QC), Chairman, in http://about.abc.net.au/profile/the-hon-james-spigelman-ac-qc/[7/03/2017 3:00:19 AM]

[3] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2013): (Selection criteria for the appointment of non-executive Directors) Determination 2013, in The Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation, https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013L02091[7/03/2017 4:08:59 AM]

[4] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2016): Working here - Meet our People, in http://www.abc.net.au/careers/workinghere/ourpeople/[7/03/2017 2:50:23 AM]

[5] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2016): ABC Careers – How to Apply, in http://www.abc.net.au/careers/applicationtips/howto.htm[7/03/2017 2:43:20 AM]

[6] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2016): ABC Careers - Developing our Talent, http://www.abc.net.au/careers/workinghere/developing.htm[7/03/2017 2:51:31 AM]

[7] Australian Broadcasting Commission (2016): ABC Careers – Indigenous Employment, http://www.abc.net.au/careers/indigenous/

[8] LinkedIn (2017): Digital Media Planner (for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, in https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/270037502?trk=jobs-home-jobsfe-redirect[7/03/2017 2:57:32 AM]

[9] The Loop (2017): Australian Broadcasting Commission (TV), in The Loop, https://www.theloop.com.au/ABC/overview[7/03/2017 2:06:16 AM]