Anita Murphy
Graduate, Advanced Diploma of Business (Marketing)

Anita’s thoughts on her time at APM are below:

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   I had been interested in APM since 2000 when I saw their display at a Careers Market in my home town of Goulburn. The thing that caught my eye was a picture of the Sydney Swans mascot. I took information about the college and read through it. It sounded interesting. In 2005 I was completing a Certificate IV in Business Management when I decided I would bite the bullet, move to Sydney and study at APM. I chose APM because it was a one year course and it had the 6 month internship program.
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   I was working in a pie shop in Goulburn!.
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   I got to experience the broad range of disciplines that sits under Marketing (eg. Public Relations, Sponsorship, Event Planning etc). It meant that I could have a ‘taste’ of the different disciplines and decide which one I really liked.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   My goal was to get good results, meet new people and have fun along the way. I achieved all three!
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   I am the Sponsorship & Sales Administrator at the Sydney Swans. In brief, I support the Sponsorship staff with benefit delivery for our Principal, Premier and Major Sponsors and I support the Sales staff with selling and maintaining our Corporate Boxes, Suites and Dining at both Telstra Stadium and the SCG.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   I liaise with sponsors and corporate partners to undertake suite renovations, organise artwork for signage, invite sponsors to events we hold and organise for contracts to be sent out to new and returning corporate partners. I also liaise with design agencies and signwriters for signage at the SCG and Telstra Stadium.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   I was completing my internship at the Sydney Swans in the membership department. Unfortunately, they did not have a job for me. The Sponsorship and Sales team needed support so created a position for me.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   That the internship lead me to a job. There is so much support at APM whilst you are studying, and also after, that if you need help or advice there is someone there that will be able to help.

9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   Experience. Volunteer. Get in there and try it out. If you don’t like it, then try other jobs/areas. Also, a lot of employers now are looking for experience, not just a qualification. Whether it is volunteering at events, clubs or organisations show employers that you have had experience in a similar role.
   
   
10. Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduated?
    
    I found it challenging. Especially to look through newspapers and online employment agencies and find jobs that would be suitable to my qualification and skills. I had a few job interviews before I landed the job at the Swans. It really depends on how you apply yourself in finding a job – search the areas you want to work in and research it and contact them to maybe get some volunteer work experience. This could be a stepping stone to landing a full time job.
    
    
11. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    At the moment I am not quite sure. I am only 4 months into my job and still finding my feet. However I would like to grow within the Swans and work my way up the ladder. I will definitely study again, however it won’t be for another couple of years. I’m enjoying not doing assignments!
    
    
12. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    Whilst I was at APM I involved myself in as much volunteer activities as I could. I helped out at Mercedes Fashion Week, Mothers Day Fun Run, Breast Cancer ‘Pink Walk’ and The Police Commissioners Ball. I was also a massive fan (and member) of the Sydney Swans so I knew a lot about the organisation before I even started working here. Knowledge about the company is critical when you go in for a job interview and may well be the deciding factor when choosing the best candidate.