Power Grads
Wendy Pfitzenmeier
I’m Wendy Pfitzenmeier and I’m the Communications Officer for the City of Tea Tree Gully. As part of my role, I’m responsible for coordinating the daily public relations activities at the council as well as dealing with the media liaison. I’m also responsible for coordinating the council’s bimonthly publication as well as other publications as they arise.
I studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism while I was at the University of South Australia. I really enjoyed undertaking this degree and I’ve had many, many opportunities since completing my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. For example, when I was in second year, I was actually referred on to the Department of Education and Children’s Services for a journalism position, and this really was a fantastic opportunity to work as a journalist, work in a dynamic team environment and really learn a lot about my craft, and I really, really enjoyed that position.
I was also fortunate to participate in the university’s international exchange program. I was able to live and study in San Diego in the United States. I had never had the opportunity to travel overseas before and this was just fantastic because it opened up so many new opportunities, I got to live with many different types of people and I also got to experience completing my degree in another country, which was absolutely so rewarding.
I learned so many skills while I was at the University of South Australia. I use so many of them today in my current work. For example, effective communication is absolutely essential for my role as the Communications Officer. I liaise with a cross section of staff right through from the mayor, the CEO to the people who work in the office. It’s so important for me to get effective messages to all of these people and for them to understand the role of the media and how it can really assist our work at council.
I learned so many other skills also while I was at university. For example, teamwork and meeting really tight deadlines, and getting a fantastic result at the end. All of these skills have really helped me excel in my current work.
When I began studying at the University of South Australia, I was straight from high school and I really didn’t have a great understanding about university life. However, I felt that the staff here were very encouraging and very welcoming and I really enjoyed my time at the university. So much so that I am looking forward to, in the next few years, undertaking further study particularly my honours degree.
I would definitely recommend people to study in the School of Communication because you’re not only learning vital skills to work in the field, you get fantastic practical and theoretical experience and you also get staff who really care about you.
While I was studying journalism, I had some fantastic opportunities to participate in some great practical experiences. For example, I was a soccer reporter at Hindmarsh Stadium during the 2000 Olympics. I found out about this because it was advertised through the School of Journalism, and we were really encouraged to participate.
More recently I’ve been able to take my skills abroad as part of the university’s international offshore program. I’ve recently got back from Hong Kong where I was teachin Reporting for the Media. Last year I was in Singapore teaching Creative and Feature Writing for the Media. Both were very challenging and very diverse programs and I really, really enjoyed the experience.
I’d personally like to thank all of my lecturers and tutors for all of your assistance, support and encouragement. I’ve really appreciated it.