APM Training Institute

APM Training Institute is Australia's only private college specialising in marketing, public relations and event management and it is offering one lucky reader the chance to fulfil their dream career by giving away one spot on any of their upcoming 2-day Event Management courses. More details below:

Elle Persson is currently employed at Spin Communications. Elle completed her Advanced Diploma of Business Marketing and did a Major in Event Management at the prestigious APM Training Institute and is now lucky enough to be working on such events as Australian Fashion Week and more recently the launch of the latest Giorgio Armani store.

She was initially enrolled at university to study psychology, but after six months she realised it wasn't for her. She then went on to study at APM where she was placed to do work experience at Spin Communications. After making an appointment with the General Manager to discuss her career and get advice, Spin soon contacted Elle and employed her full time.

Age: 21 yrs

Suburb: Bronte

Title of Course completed: Advanced Diploma in Business (Marketing) major in event management

What made you choose to study at APM?
A friend of mine was there the year before me and I was constantly envious of what she was doing! I also like the fact that the full time structure of APM allows you to fast track those extra years when doing a university degree.

What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
I finished year 12 with no idea what I was going to do, I got into a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and after six months realised it wasn't for me- I loved consumer psychology though so I figured marketing was the next step.

What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
The full on schedule meant there was no messing around. I am the kind of student that will take as long as a teacher gives me but at APM you have to get it done sooner and it makes you so much more focused.

The collage community was awesome. There was always something social on, the support network from the teachers was strong and I loved that every teacher worked in the industry so they constantly referred to their own experiences.

What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
Initially it was to find something I could be interested in to do with my career- that was done in the first two weeks! Once I knew what I wanted to do, I wanted it straight away so the next goal was to get a job doing anything related to the event industry.

What is your current job title, company name & job description.
I work for Spin Communications as an Event Coordinator. I assist event producers in all aspects of event management.

Describe what your current role involves.
My current role at Spin involves a large variety of tasks. Such tasks include budgeting, creating event concepts, planning the logistics of an event, research and general assistance for the others on the events team.

How did you find your current job?
I volunteered to do work experience in May 2004 for Australian Fashion Week and was fortunate enough to make some good contacts. I called the company and asked to do anything. I volunteered again for their next three events including Melbourne Fashion Week where I spent two weeks assisting the production team in Melbourne.

I got a job with my internship company organized by APM and started as an event coordinator but missed the fashion events and the Spin environment. I called Spin and asked to meet with the director of the company to discuss my career. I asked her for advice, expressed my keen interest and she got back to me soon after. I left my current job and joined Spin full time.

What were the most useful aspects of the APM course?
The Internship program was what put me above the rest in all of my interview situations. In the events industry (like most industries these days) you really need the hands on experience to become confident in your role and meeting the contacts- that's the only way I got where I am.

The broad range of subjects allowed me to gain knowledge in many areas such as PR, marketing, entertainment etc. Because of this, I am now able to understand the industry on a much broader scale.

What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
Take every work experience opportunity that comes your way because that is the best way in. If you don't make any contacts then you will gain the experience and perform better at the next event you volunteer on and you will eventually get noticed.

That and its only one year, a tough year but not a long time to put your head down and do some serious work because it is over before you know it.

Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduates? Explain.
I was extremely lucky, but then everyone in my class got a job in their industry so we were must all be doing something right! My internship company took me on straight after I finished my internship position so I didn't really have to look. After three months there I felt something was missing and it was the fashion shows and the atmosphere I had experienced at Spin the few times I was there.

What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
To take over the event world! Seriously, to produce fashion shows in Australia and Internationally. I want to produce amazing events that teachers use as case studies and I want to be able to give other students the opportunities had.

What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
I would say I have become a lot more industry savvy since I left APM. Keeping up with current events, industry activities, what companies are doing new things and continuing to study in my own time because there is a lot more I can learn. Its funny, I used to subscribe to Harpers Bazzar now I subscribe to an events industry magazine! Sad, I know!

APM Training Institute is Australia's only private college specialising in marketing, public relations and event management and it is offering one lucky reader the chance to fulfil their dream career by giving away one spot on any of their upcoming 2-day Event Management courses. They offer these in Brisbane 1-2 Sept, Sydney 8-9 Sept or Melbourne 1-2 December. A full fee place is worth $869. Entrants need to be over 18 and need to send a written submission of no more than 500 words of how this short course would help shape their career.

As this is a scholarship place, all applications will be assessed on clarity of writing and the persuasiveness of their argument. Chance will play no part in the selection of the scholarship winner and the 2-day course cannot be redeemed for a cash equivalent or taken outside of scheduled dates. Applications would need to be received by 19th August with the winner notified the following week. Application would need to be posted, clearly indicating Femail Scholarship - Event Management 2-day course.

Details of short courses can be found at www.apm.edu.au/shortcourses