Allison Dando
Graduate, Diploma of Business (Marketing) major in Sport Marketing

Allison's thoughts on her time at APM are below:

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   It gave me the flexibility to continue my studies whilst still being able to work full-time at a fraction of the cost that some of the other colleges were charging. APM is also aligned with several industry bodies and universities which meant that if I choose to continue on after completing my studies with APM I could do so.
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   When I commenced studying with APM I was working at a Personal Assistant to the Group Security General Manager at the Commonwealth Bank. Halfway through my course I changed positions and I am currently working as the Corporate Relations Coordinator for B. Braun Australia Pty Ltd (a healthcare company).
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   The variety of the subjects and the fact that all the teachers came from the industry which meant they had first hand knowledge about the subjects and we are able to share in their expertise and experiences.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   My goal when I enrolled with APM was a career change, when I first commenced I was really unsure what industry I wanted to work in but I did know that marketing was the direction I wanted to take. So to begin with I started out doing the certificate course which then assisted me to make a decision about which area I wished to focus on which ended up being sports.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   Corporate Relations Coordinator, B. Braun Australia Pty Ltd.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   My job encompasses a variety of different things. I work on tenders, conferences, sponsorships, charities, education workshops, procedures and processes, the website, newsletters etc. My current role involves a lot of time management skills as alot of the work I do consists of deadlines that cannot be extended or missed.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   An employment agency rang me up about it.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM courses?
   
   The support you receive from the faculty to ensure that you not only succeed but learn what you need to in the specified times.
   
   
9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   My field… well I am not really in the field that I wish to be in yet but I am working on it. If you are interested in the health arena, they look for 'can do' attitudes and people who are willing to go the extra mile.
   
   
10. Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduated?
    
    The sports industry is extremely competitive and only limited opportunities are available. I have learnt that this particular field takes some thinking outside the box, you need to be creative.
    
    
11. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    If the opportunity presented itself, I would love to work overseas for a couple of years, in sports there is a lot of money worldwide and I think there is a lot to learn from the overseas countries, especially when it comes to football (soccer).
    
    
12. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    I have started taking small courses that can assist to strengthen and improve my skills, particularly in the areas of graphic design and website design as a lot of the positions on offer do have these aspects to them.