SUSTAINED AND MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO DIVERSE TEAMS:

 

I have been exposed to various, dynamic, diverse and multidisciplinary teams throughout the course of my degree. I have not only learnt about my teamwork capabilities, but also gained a greater understanding of how I can continually improve my teamwork skills.

 

The importance of teamwork, stems from my first team based research assessment at Deakin University. The team I worked with consisted of individuals’ different cultural backgrounds and experience levels. I had never encountered a situation like this before and I was uncertain if we could achieve the assessment outcome. I reflected on my as a hiking guide in the tourism industry and realised that I already skills that I could bring this situation. This enabled me to work out a solution with both the team and academic staff. As a result, my relationship with the other four-team members has flourished and we have formed lasting friendships.

 

Early teamwork experience has enabled me to reflect, develop and improve the way I communicate, manage and work with different teams. Teamwork for me is not only working collectively with a group to create a final product, but is the two way process that involves and helping and learning from others. I now take every opportunity to work in a team situation.

 

I am now proud to say that I have contributed to a number of diverse organizations, roles and teams during the last 3 years. They are listed below:  

 

VOLUNTEERING:

• Parks Victoria- Annual Kangaroo Count at Churchill National Park (2015).

• BirdLife Victoria- Friends of the Hooded Plover, Mornington Peninsula- Team member, Surveyor (September 2015 to June 2016).

• Conservation Volunteers Australia, Casual volunteer (2016)

• Friends of the Earth- Yes to Renewables Campaign Team Member (September 2016- Current)

• The Wilderness Society- The Great Forest National Park Campaign (2016).

• Oxfam Trailwalker 100km (Georgie Thring Walking Club).

• Took part in the a meeting with Parks Victoria, Nepean Conservation Council and Mornington Peninsula Conservationists to provide feedback on Point Nepean National Park's Management Plan (2017).

 

WORKING IN DIVERSE TEAMS (WORKPLACE):

• Project Manager for the Work-Integrated-Learning on Campus Project for the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (March 2017 until February 2018).

• Academic/Disability Support Worker-Note taker, Deakin Disability Resource Centre (February 2017- Current).

• Intern for the Natural Systems Team, Mornington Peninsula Shire (September 2016 to January 2017).

• Till host at Hotel Sorrento (November 2014 to November 2015).

 

Over the course of my studies, I have been involved in sustained and meaningful teams in the workplace. I complete a 4-month internship with the Natural Systems Team (NST) (Mornington Peninsula Shire), where I liaised and worked with the NST, council employees, non-for profit organisations and members of the public. This year I worked for two divisions at Deakin University. I am working as a Disability Support Worker for the Disability Resource Centre and as a Project Manager for the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, these positions have given me the experience of working in highlight skilled and professional teams.

 

RESEARCHING/STUDYING IN DIVERSE TEAMS THROUGHOUT MY DEGREE:

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•  SLE101: Techniques in Environmental Science

  • Species richness and abundance of birdlife in Blackburn Lake

• SLE103: Ecology and the Environment

  • Fauna and Flora survey of Point Nepean National Park

• SLE151: Biodiversity: A Global Perspective

  • Team presentation on Dragon and Damselflies

• SLE122: Environmental Sustainability

  • Team presentation

• SLE231: Hydrology & Water Resources Management

  • Research report on the Water quality and Management of the Werribee River.

• SHD201: Creating Sustainable Futures

  • Team video presentation on 2050 vision of Melbourne.

• SLE226: Environmental Team Based Research

  • Team research on artificial light and terrestrial pitfall trapping.

• SLE353: Asian Conservation and Environmental Sustainability: International Study Tour

  • Group research and video presentation on current impacts on NRM in Sarawak Borneo.

• SLE305: Integrating Marine, Coastal and Catchment Management

  •  Team research analysis on ICZM within context of Dromana Foreshore (CoM).

• SLE308: Policy Instruments for Environmental Sustainability

  • Team policy analysis on Phragmites australis in Victorian Waterways, along private land and;

  • team debate as the Coalition (Liberal and National) Party debating current Federal GHG emission targets.

• SLE342: Risks to Healthy Environments

  • Team research and risk management strategy for a planned burn on public land in Gilderoy, Victoria, Australia.

 

The above examples, evidence my ability to continuously strive for teamwork excellence for sustainable and meaningful contribution to diverse and dynamic teams.

 

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SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF TEAMWORK ON THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (WITHIN AND BEYOND THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS)

 

Prior to the commencement of my degree, I began to understand the importance of environmental management and sustainability and sought teamwork experiences within the environmental field. Every volunteer opportunity and external university opportunity that I have taken part in illustrators my willingness to learn and be involved. 

 

In 2015, I volunteered for Parks Victoria for their annual kangaroo count in Churchill National Park. We worked in teams of six, we had to traverse along a transect in thick and undulating terrain counting kangaroos that went to the right. This experience proved challenging as we lost out bearings, the kangaroos moved too fast and our experience/fitness levels varied. Despite this, we managed to laugh and enjoy the whole experience and as result Parks Victoria were grateful. I then volunteered for BirdLife Victoria- Friends of the Hooded Plover (FHP), I participated in annual meetings, conferences, workshops and beach walks. From the beginning I was given a lot of responsibility and asked to survey and monitor sightings/nests on Portsea Back Beach. Over the summer months this often included both morning and nights and I actively tried to update the online portal as much as possible.

 

Initially I found this task challenging, as many days were I was alone completing my surveys.

When the opportunity arose to attend workshops, meetings or conferences, I was thrilled to put my hand up. Unfortunately due to relocation, I had to give up the volunteering.

 

By 2016, I felt more comfortable in my knowledge of environmental management and became more confident in my ability to undertake more technical skills.

During this period I volunteered for Conservation Volunteers, Australia. The tasks we undertook were similar (weeding and planting) at each different location (Port Melbourne Foreshore & La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary). The teams consisted of five to six individuals, many of which already new each other. I found working with people who are unknown to you exciting, and I often enjoyed engaging and discussing conservation issues.

 

By the end of 2016, I had volunteered my time at another two organisations, Friends of the Earth-Melbourne (FoE) and The Wilderness Society. Both organisations were very different in team structure and culture was diverse. I thoroughly enjoyed working for FoE for the Yes to Renewables Campaign (Y2R). The campaign often involved engaging the local community and educating them about the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) and Climate action. During this period, I undertook research on regional renewable energy projects and created an excel spread sheet, whilst also assisting the Campaign Manager, attending evening meetings and attending Parliamentary Hearings.

 

During this time, I also attended the Melbourne Sustainable Living Festival (2017) and the Macedon Ranges Sustainable Festival (2017) both times working on the FoE stalls and engaging the public in current campaigns.

 

During this period, I took on a 4-month internship with the Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS). Working within the Natural Systems Team, meant that I often visited different Bushland Reserves along the peninsula, engaged in Fauna and Flora surveying as well as other tasks. During my internship, I was involved in the implementation of the Bushfire, Conservation Workshop for local residents and Mornington Peninsula Conservation Groups. Working alongside the Nepean Conservation Council, Country Fire Authority, Parks Victoria and the MPS to facilitate constructive discussion about the dangers and constraints of Fire Management on the Mornington Peninsula Shire. During this workshop, I had lengthy discussions with professionals, local residents and conservation groups about strategies to improve future management of fire and as a result the team came up with key outcomes (See Workplace-Teamwork tab). Although this task was challenging, it highlighted my desire to work in community engagement and also heightened my understanding and knowledge of the complexity of Fire Management in Victoria.

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Development and/or implementation of creative and innovative ideas and/or processes within a team

 

Whilst undertaking different teamwork opportunities, I attempted to put my ‘creative thinking’ and ‘forward thinking’ hats on. This helped me with problem solving and utilising my skills and knowledge to implement and/or develop a creative and innovative concept.

 

Volunteering for BirdLife Victoria and working alongside an experienced team, meant that I was continuously exposed to new and innovative ways to gain funding, community support and educate the public. During this time, I was involved in a memorable workshop day, where the Friends of the Hooded Plover team assisted the Willum Warrain Association at their gathering place in Hastings. During this workshop we shared creative ideas, FHP demonstrated how to construct the shelters, whilst the community shared their stories through their art (See Volunteer-Teamwork Tab for evidence). The day was extremely successful and the engagement from the Willium Warrain Association, the Port Phillip and Western Port CMA, DELWP and BirdLife meant the community were gaining fundamental insight into the conservation and management of these species.

 

Working as a Project Manager (PM) for the WIL on Campus Project has given me free reign to create, develop and implement different processes within a team.

 

I have worked alongside the Industry Engagement Manager to assist in the implementation and development of the Industry Engagement Framework, here I decided to put my hand up and take on a task that require innovation. I am currently working with the program- Illustrator to draw, map and showcase his concepts. This task is something I have thoroughly enjoyed as we work collaboratively together, bouncing ideas back and forth.

 

As part of my role, I am responsible for organising and ensuring a smooth run through of the Staff Workshops. For the first workshop, the Project Lead, wanted different team members to take on various responsibilities and wanted a fun and creative way to engage the academic staff. During this process, we collaborated with another team member and developed and implemented a fun creative quiz (See Team-Workplace tab). This task was successful as it changed the setting and allowed academics to reimagine their course curriculum (assessment tasks).

 

The free reign I have been given throughout this experience has enabled me to invite other team members for help but to also get an understanding of how teamwork works in the ‘real world’.

 

CLOSING PARAGRAPH:

Teamwork for me is something that I continually strive to improve. My scaffolded experiences throughout my University degree have enabled me to reflect on areas that I can improve on. I will now go into the workplace with a greater understanding of different work styles, how to work with different team members and external commitments that may come into play.. Writing this application has allowed me to remember and reflect on forgotten experiences. I am extremely proud of what I currently have achieved so far and I look forward to working with many more teams.

 

Deakin Hallmark Assessment Panel, I sincerely hope that you consider my application for the Deakin Hallmark award for Teamwork excellence.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Isabella Schaffer