Roles and responsibilities | The Placement Log

REFLECTIVE LOG

Part 2

Roles and responsibilities

Contents

2.1 Meeting and management

2.2 Venue scouting

2.3 Décor and design

2.4 Catering and tasting

2.5 Personal travel organisation

2.6 Photography work

2.1 Meetings and management

A large part of my workload was sitting in on meetings and acting as a disseminator for Niramit. Client communication is how the company runs, as Niramit aim to meet the needs of the customer. Researching into possible locations that the event will be held at, as well as managing the arrangements of the future locations I would attend as part of the company, (see part 2.5) were all important for the organisation of events.

Online calls using platforms such as zoom and teams, where I acted as a note and minute taker, were just as important. From my experience of working in bars and restaurants, a task I was normally assigned when sitting in on meetings was creating a list of refreshments. I had to ask questions such as, does the guests have any special requirements or allergies and find out what their favourite flavours where. Themed events were more specific, cocktails had to be mirrored in the fashion of the theme, for example, I had to create a more ‘relaxed casual’ menu of drinks, such as different flavoured pina coladas for a wedding reception, rather than stiff martinis. Documents and PowerPoints of all the information received from these conferences had to be created so I could forward them onto my bosses and refer them back to the clients.

The responsibilities I was given were not extremely large, as I wouldn’t have the final say on the products or vendors that we order with, however, my suggestions and input was considered. The lists and diagrams I made in either conclusions or suggestions were added too official decisions, but as I only sat in on the meetings, I did not have direct contact with the clients. I had much enjoyment in these tasks as I love to organise and present my thoughts.

KEY

How much

How little

How much responsibility I think I was given in this task:

35%

65%

How much I enjoyed this role:

70%

30%

2.2 Venue scouting

Visiting potential venues and coordinating with the staff was one of the roles I enjoyed most. I accompanied my bosses most of the time, although, I was allowed to scout out potential venues alone sometimes which gave me the sense that I had much more responsibility. I had visited many different places, mostly around the centre of Bangkok, such as Marriott hotels and areas to host weddings.

The pre-production of venue choosing consisted of measuring the space, estimating space, and referring back to client meetings to see the quantity of guests. Evaluating if requested décor would fit in certain areas, such as light fixtures, as well as if the venue had any restrictions was part of the organisation that I was part of. Documenting the space through photography and diagrams was also part of my job and saving them onto a folder for future references. Scouting venues alone was challenging at times, sometimes finding it hard to navigate in a new city, despite this i found it compelling and exciting to be a part of. The task definitely improved my communication and decision-making skills.

KEY

How much

How little

How much responsibility I think I was given in this task:

60%

40%

How much I enjoyed this role:

80%

20%

2.3 Décor and design

This section of work I was given the most responsibility in, as when I am reflecting on my placement as a whole, the most physical elements I have worked on would be under this category. Working with the design and décor team gave me much enjoyment, as well as truly feeling like I was contributing to the group.

After studying photography and fine art, as well as English literature and language, (see future career section) it gave me an upper hand in the designing and ability to select effective phrases when creating features for events, including invitations, posters, gift boxes and flower arrangements. At the Wedding of Palkin and Vinit (see part 3) I packed near to one hundred gift boxes and contributed to the layout of numerous invitations. Colour matching and crafting are skills that are essential for this type of work, and being an artistic person helped me excel in this role. On the early days of the Hindu wedding I arranged a room of flowers, where the wedding couple would have their ritual of Pithi, (see part 3) it was not the most complex of tasks but one of the most pleasurable. Working on this type of content required skills I already had, despite this, the design team taught me new skills, furthermore, working on traditional cultural events like this Hindu wedding taught me new affairs entirely.

KEY

How much

How little

How much responsibility I think I was given in this task:

75%

25%

How much I enjoyed this role:

10%

90%

2.4 Catering and tasting

Some events involved my input in tasting and helping with the food preparation and decisions. This opened my pallet up to new and improved flavours and broadened my skill set on the design and organization of food display.

The tasks were enjoyable, yet my involvement was limited as I have many food restrictions in my diet, henceforth I couldn’t taste a lot of the food that was part of the menus. Despite this limiting my involvement, helping to serve food to guests, designing the look of the plates and lots more allowed me to still be included. The responsibility to decide what menus were served was not my role, however, my opinions of approving what looked or tasted good was acknowledged my Niramit.

KEY

How much

How little

How much responsibility I think I was given in this task:

80%

20%

How much I enjoyed this role:

50%

2.5 Personal travel organisation

Traveling was a common task whilst working as the intern for Niramit, the normality for an events company was being present at any proceedings organised. The events, that were a fair distance away, required the mode of transport to be by plane, and the company would travel together. Expenses of travel and hotels were organised, and payment was covered, yet the organisation of the equipment I was to bring, and elements not associated with the company, was to be my own responsibility.

For example, we took a flight to Phuket Koh Lak for an event, and we stayed at the Koh Lak Marriot Resort. (Koh Lak Marriot) If you read my personal journal, (see personal journal section) the insights of my placement are accounted in intimate detail, which explain the complications of my stay there. My reside was intended to be for four days, but I had to return to Bangkok, the organisation of my return was my responsibility. Managing the organisation of travel to more local events was simpler, as using google maps and walking, catching the sky train, or using a taxi motorbike, were all unpretentious methods of transportation. This also includes traveling to Niramit’s office, once I had succeeded in finding my way the first time, it was a regular repetitive journey.

KEY

How much

How little

How much responsibility I think I was given in this task:

75%

25%

How much I enjoyed this role:

50%

2.6 Photography work

Photography being one of my main points of interest when looking for a placement, I was glad to have found a company that specialised in this. Overall I was satisfied with the role I was given when working as their intern, however, I had hoped for a position with more responsibility and involvement to do with photography. A day in the office consisted of, photography related, editing images for albums.

These images were taken by Anoop and other members of the Niramit staff, although interesting to work on, I would have liked if I could have been a larger part of the final images. Day visits to possible venues (see part 2.2) would be documenting and recording the space. The action of documentation is something I enjoy, as preparation for future tasks I see as important and necessary. Being able to have this, leads to accurate comparison and this recorded material was appreciated in the Niramit company. During larger events my most substantial role was to capture the behind-the-scenes material of the Niramit team working on the job. This role was entirely mine alone, which I appreciated as it was my completely responsibility. When it came to my smaller roles it was clear Niramit had given me responsibility, however, on more important photography tasks this was not as prominent as I would have liked.

KEY

How much

How little

How much responsibility I think I was given in company tasks: