Chris Tyrrell
Graduate, Advanced Diploma of Business (Marketing) major in Sport (2004)

Chris’s thoughts on his time at APM are below:

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   The short length of the course and the fact you had the bonus of entering an internship program whilst studying.
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   I contracted to a swimming pool maintenance company doing servicing and maintenance work for 4 years.
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   Being guided and taught by those in the industry who have a real feel for what is going on and being able to source your own internship placement so I could get very specific experience.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   To start a career in athlete management/ sports marketing.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   Marketing and Events Coordinator with Sydney FC. I’m involved with all marketing activity the club undertakes however my primary role is to coordinate any events the club may hold from awards nights to junior member functions and any other promotional events.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   My current role involves coordination of club events and functions, liaising with external event contractors, liaising with soccer NSW in relation to promotions etc, implementation of the club’s donations policy, coordination of club promotions (membership drives, launches etc) and act as the clubs floor manager on match day.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   The club actually approached APM for any graduates who they thought might be suitable. I had kept in contact with some of my lecturers at APM so they knew I was still in the market for a job. I was then contacted by APM and applied for the job from there.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   The small class sizes, the intense work load working to tight deadlines, the internship, opportunities to network and develop contacts and the experience of the lecturers.
   
   
9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   It is a pretty tough field to crack, or it was for me anyway, so you have to keep persisting. Send resumes off specifically tailored for the positions you are applying for. You have to keep an eye out for every opportunity because the moment you don’t you’ll miss your chance. If you get an opportunity to gain some experience through any volunteer work, do it. It all adds to your “package” and knowledge at the end of the day and makes you a more desirable candidate than the next person who hasn’t extended themselves.
   
   
10. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    Just trying to learn as much as I can at the moment from a lot of experienced people. Would like to run my own sports marketing/management business one day but we’ll just take it one step at a time.
    
    
11. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    Always kept in touch with contacts, relevant to the field I was looking to get into, that I had made prior to securing a job. It’s much easier to have all hands on deck helping you to find that elusive break.