Junko+(wio)

​ I did intercultural studies at university in Japan. At the same time, I worked at a department store as a part-time sales assistant for four years to help me support myself and also to gain some experience. I graduated from the university in 2005. After that I studied English in the U.S for three months.

One month later I started work as a sales representative for a language school in Japan. My responsibilities were selling lesson packages to new and current students, selling learning materials, learning counselling, administration, and helping loan applications. I also had to take care of young students if necessary. It was fun to meet a lot of positive people and it was very rewarding being able to help people.

In 2007 I came to Australia to improve my English. I got a certificate of RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) and found a job at a restaurant as a waiter/kitchen-hand in 2008. It is good opportunity to practise everyday conversation and answering phones.

The following year I migrated permanently to Australia and started to study English at the Pol​ytechnic. I have been working at the restaurant for eighteen months now but in the future, I would like to get another job which gives me more responsibility like I had before.

**My workplace** I will do my work experience from 13th of April for 5 weeks at K-mart New Town. Kmart opened Australia's first discount department store in Burwood, Victoria in 1969. Today, Kmart operates 182 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand.

My position will be in general store operations and customer service assistant. I will start working at 9a.m. and finish at 5p.m. It takes 5 minites by car to the store from my house. At the workplace I need to wear black pants, white top, and black comfortable, closed in footwear.

**What will work experience be like?** I will do my work experience at Kmart. I have three concerns for that. The first one is that if I can understand instructions properly. It is sometimes difficult for me to catch what people said or words which I am not really familiar with. The second one is that if I can use appropriate English for work. I am able to communicate with people but my English is broken, so I need to use proper English or I need to try not to make people uncomfortable at least. The third one is socialising because I am not good at making a small talk. I would like to try my best because I need to practice more not only for work experience but also for everyday life.

**Work experience the second week** It was almost the same as the first week. The first thing I did was to restock shelves in the cosmetic section. I like cosmetics, so I enjoyed myself checking items and colours. Some customers asked me questions and I could help some of them, so it made me happy. Next thing I did was to tidy up shelves in the kids clothing section. It was not difficult at all because I had done it last week. I don't feel that I am making progress by recovery shelves but I could help some customers again in the section and I felt that I was making progress.

​The things I did was almost the same as last week and I'm getting better to restock and tidy up shelves. I also changed price tags from original ones to clearance ones. It was fun to find correct tags and to match them. Stocking shelves itself is not so interesting for me but I found myself that I am interested in consumer psychology. I can learn new things quickly. I had never worked in a restaurant in Japan but now I am working as a waitress and my boss gave me some compliments. He said I was suited to be a chef because I am practical. In addition I have people skills. I have been working for customer service area since I was in Japan and I like helping people. However, lack of English skill will be a burden for getting a new job. I have to learn some new skills such as computer. I think I need to get over my shyness as well.
 * Work experience the third week**
 * What are my strengths and weaknesses?**