Voluntary work compliments QUT student’s future career

When Queensland University of Technology student Ellie Morrow began volunteering at the Spinal Injuries Association, she never imagined it would lead to full-time work.

In mid-2008, Ellie, 20, noticed an advertisement on the QUT Student Guild website calling for a volunteer, preferably a Communications student, to assist the Fundraising and Communications department at the not-for-profit organisation.

“I talked about it with my family and my dad mentioned how he had volunteered with a community organisation for many years and found it really rewarding,” Ellie said.

After beginning voluntary work with the Association in July last year, by November, Ellie’s work ethic and enthusiasm secured her full-time paid employment with the organisation throughout the Christmas holidays.

Now back studying a full-time Bachelor of Mass Communications degree, Ellie will continue to combine her studies with paid work at the Association.

“It’s a great organisation to work for,” she said. “Not only is the work I’m doing contributing to the successful promotion of the Association and its members, but ultimately it’s enhancing the lives of people with a spinal cord injury in Queensland.”

Ellie said the highlight of her role to date was helping to organise the Spinal Injuries Association Gala Fundraising Dinner last November, which nearly 300 people attended.

“So now I’ve had experience in organizing events, as well as writing media releases, compiling statistical reports on the Association’s Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) and general office duties,” she said.

“I would recommend voluntary work to all university students. There are opportunities out there in so many industries and you never know where it could lead you in the future.”

Ellie said her experience at the Association had given her an insight into another area of Public Relations and Communications that she had never known about before.
“I’d always thought PR was for big commercial companies, but my role with the Spinal Injuries Association has made me realise the amount of not-for-profit organisations throughout the country that need Communications employees to positively raise the profile of the vital work they do,” she said.

“I still have a few more years left of my degree, but I’m going to continue working at the Association throughout that time because it just makes sense to compliment your studies with practical experience.”

For potential voluntary or career opportunities with the Spinal Injuries Association, visit www.spinal.com.au and keep your eyes out on the QUT Guild Website.

The Spinal Injuries Association was established in 1960 and is the peak body for people with a spinal cord injury in Queensland.

Issued 12 March 2009.