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Gap Year Worker Report - May 2004
As
Credo's current gap year worker, it may be beneficial for me to give you an outline
of what the job has entailed for me and to give you an idea of what I have got up to on a weekly basis
during my year.
Firstly,
let me tell you a bit about my background. Before joining Credo I had been
working in retail jobs all over Britain after I graduated from Cumbria College
of Art & Design in 2000, where I studied Creative Arts. I worked in retail
in Carlisle, Eastbourne, Brighton and Edinburgh after leaving college and while
living in these cities I was finding it difficult to get permanent full-time
work suited to my degree. I decided that I required more practical,
professional experience and so, after seeing Credo's advert, which said the job
would provide me with the chance to enjoy various aspects of a professional
working environment, I applied for
the gap year worker position.
The
job does consist of a wide range of tasks and a varied timetable, which has
kept the job interesting for me. Administration is involved, such as liaising
with venues, taking ticket bookings, researching, taking minutes at meetings,
e-mailing members and compiling newsletter articles and organising publicity for events.
The
job also involves attending meetings particularly the weekly Credo meeting and
the bi-monthly Intermission meeting. Intermission is a monthly presentation
aimed at non-Christians that takes place in a pub in Hull and looks at relevant
topics. It is
organised by the
evangelistic group 'There Is Hope'
whose office space is just above Credo's. Credo as well as being involved in the planning, usually
provide drama and the presentation also involves TV or film clips which I have
sometimes researched/located/edited.
Credo meetings take place on Tuesday evenings where credo members share news,
pray and then rehearse for any
upcoming performances.
Performance
is also a major area of the work. Line learning and rehearsals are often
required. Being more interested in the technical areas of theatre production,
live stage performing is the main area I have little interest in
professionally, so therefore, when joining Credo I would have been happy not to
have to have done it. However, I did do it, from a small synod meeting in front
of 12 people to an Easter praise service in Hull City Hall in front of 1200
people and I have often enjoyed the experience and it has helped build my confidence.
Working
in schools particularly dominated three months of my year with Credo. Initially
it involved planning with Cathy and then upon entering the school included
filming, editing, song writing and scoring processes, which I enjoyed doing at
college so, was thrilled to be involved in doing them at a professional level.
It also involved the production of a booklet of the children's work, which I
compiled, edited and designed using Credo's computers. As I have an interest in
graphic design I was also involved in several design areas during my year with
Credo including the compilation of a book of scripts, the school booklet and
the editing of the Credo newsletter, promotion material for some performances
and set design and production
for the major production 'Literally Speaking'.
As
I started my year with Credo the planning stages for 'Literally Speaking' had
just begun, so from September until mid November, my time was mostly dominated by
the preparation work for this production which involved many of the tasks already mentioned as
well as manufacturing
props, editing soundtracks and sound effects and assisting with the technical
side of the side of the production. The whole process was another enjoyable time of my time and was extremely
helpful in preparing me for the rest of the year ahead.
The
job does involve a great deal of self-discipline when it comes to time
management. The year has also involved a degree of day trips to various places throughout England including London,
Leeds, Birmingham and Bridlington.
I
have thoroughly enjoyed my year, all Credo's members have been welcoming and supportive. My time seems to
have gone very quickly and it
has certainly supplied me with the practical, professional experiences that I was looking for.
Matt Varty
May 2004