In Profile: Soňa Michalková
Soňa Michalková, Communications Assistant and Administrator – Radford Development Foundation and Radford Collegians Association
What do you like best about your current role?
I really enjoy the complexity/broadness of the role! For me every day is different, which I love. This role allows me to utilise different skills and develop new ones – I am learning every day. In addition to this, I am surrounded by very intelligent and inspiring people, and I have a chance to work and liaise with them daily, which is fascinating. However, what I love the most is the chance to connect with people while doing something meaningful – whether it is raising donations or passing on collegians’ knowledge and experience to current students.
Can you tell us about your role and current projects?
As an administrator of two completely different community organisations I do lots of event planning and organising, communication via different channels and liaising with third parties – whether it is merchandisers, suppliers for events, catering, music performers or Radford collegians. I also act as a public officer and each community follows different administration policies and procedures which can be sometimes challenging.
It is very important to remember all the dates and details and so in short, I need to be super organised and train my memory every day. In terms of projects – since lockdown we have had lots of event cancellations and due to nature of these events, we are not able to hold them virtually. Therefore, for the remainder of the current school year I want to focus on the administration required for Term 4 and further event planning for the next school year in 2022. The Radford Foundation will celebrate its five-year anniversary and the Radford Collegians will hold a reunion after three years, with nine class groups returning to Radford, so these are both big events that need to planned well in advance.
What did you do before joining the Radford community?
Prior to Radford, well, Australia, I worked in Slovakia where I am from. I worked as an Executive Assistant in a public organisation and later as the International Relations Manager for Metrology Institute, which was super interesting. I’d never heard of metrology before. I even had a chance to travel every month within Europe for project meetings, which sounds like a fantasy given the current situation.
Afterwards, I spent a year in UK studying my second Master’s degree in brand management and then I moved to Australia. I lived in Newcastle for a bit over a year, and in March I moved to Canberra for my internship at the Slovak Embassy. I was initially planning on staying there, but when I was offered a role at Radford, I decided to move!
What do you enjoy outside Radford?
My activities have changed completely due to COVID-19. Before, I was travelling, enjoying art galleries, and going to lots of concerts and music festivals! Now, I spend more time outdoors, walking, visiting the nearest beach, when I can, and exercising. I do hope that I will be able to see some great artists and concerts soon and travel more within Australia (and back to Europe of course).
How are you managing lockdown?
In all honesty, it hit me very hard at the beginning, since it has been only couple of months since I moved to Canberra, so I do not know many people. Plus, my partner had to leave to go to Victoria right at the beginning of the lockdown. However, after couple of days I changed my mindset, and gave myself a goal to try to make the most of the time that I have for myself. My focus shifted to a healthy diet and active lifestyle, so I started walking around the lake and exercising. I think I’ve managed lockdown well for the rest of it simply by accepting it, focusing on myself, and making new friends within the Radford community.