Rising to the challenge of completing her internship from home has been a big confidence-boost for University of WA student Gwyneth Anggadjaja, while at the same time contributing to the important work at Communicare.
Langford resident Ms Anggadjaja started her internship through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship (the Centre) at the Cannington-based community service organisation in early March.
Just two weeks later, as circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly progressed, the Centre and its partner organisations worked collaboratively to ensure all current Semester 1 interns could complete their internship projects working safely from home.
More than 70 UWA students are expected to complete their 100-hour internships remotely next month, contributing more than 7000 hours in service to the community during the pandemic.
The 22-year-old’s internship project is to support Communicare’s workforce to be culturally diverse by researching, revising and updating the organisation’s current Multicultural Action Plans (MAPs).
Ms Anggadjaja’s internship supervisor, Settle In Coordinator Peta Byrne, said the MAP was important because it “underpinned how Communicare’s workforce embraced cultural diversity” within its teams, clients and participants.
Ms Anggadjaja said regular Zoom meetings, messages and email check-ins with her internship supervisor, were invaluable.
“It has pushed me to work further,” she said.
“Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive; it was clear what was expected from me and I have strived to do my best.”
Ms Byrne said Ms Anggadjaja had adapted well to working from home.
“We have implemented regular Zoom meetings so that we can talk through tasks, documents and next steps,” she said.
“It’s also important to link in via videoconference to remain connected and check in on each other’s wellbeing.”
Ms Anggadjaja said the internship had been a “new and fulfilling experience” so far.
“Becoming familiar with different areas of the organisation’s services, being exposed to program-based interactions and client engagement has given me real insight into the work of Communicare,” she said.
“I am so glad to be able to contribute to something valuable for the community.”