Clint Salter
Graduate, Diploma of Business (Marketing), majoring in Entertainment and Music Management.

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

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   

   I was looking at enrolling into APM at the end of 2003 but decided to go to university. I lasted four weeks at university as the learning environment was neither stimulating nor practical. After working for three years I decided to look into APM’s part time courses. I was used to receiving an income so full time was not an option. The part time course was attractive as it was only two nights per week for one year, was taught by key industry professionals working in the entertainment field and the classes were small.
   
   

2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   Before enrolling in the course at APM I owned a Dance Studio and was the Marketing Coordinator for LeisureCo – a company that prides itself in managing council owned leisure facilities. Working two jobs basically full time was no easy road. I would work Monday to Friday writing marketing plans, coordinating events with department heads, and implementing action plans to ensure each department were being marketed in the best way possible while keeping to a strict budget.
   
   As owner and Director of ‘Born With It Studios’ I taught children and adults of all ages how to dance in many styles including jazz, funk, lyrical, hip hop and tap.
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   Working full time and studying part time is difficult if you want to do well. APM offered great support in terms of accessibility of lecturers and faculty staff if you ever had a question or needed help. The course itself is relevant to today’s world. Each subject you study can be applied to either the job you currently have or the job you want. The skills and knowledge you gain from not only your lecturers but from class mates (due to the small number of students) is an advantage that can be difficult to get in other educational institutes.
   
   I was also very lucky to be in a class with great people from all walks of life, each of us with different goals. It’s not all hard work and study. We had the occasional night out and still do now even though the course has finished.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   I had my goals figured out before I went for the interview/information session at APM. I wanted to gain a job in the entertainment industry. Whether it was as the receptionist of a television network or the mail boy at a record label I just wanted to get my foot in the door so I could work my butt off and move up the ladder.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   Currently I am an Agent with The Harry M Miller Group.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   One day is never the same to the next. My main responsibilities are to look after the day to day activities for celebrity clients including Zach Douglas, Jenny Kee, Michael Falzon and more. The Harry M Miller Group has a stable of forty-two of Australia’s finest multi media personalities. For three to four months of the year I am responsible for coordinating The Big Brother Project.
   
   This project involves dealing with appearance partners to book appearances for the housemates once they have left the house, liaising with Endemol and Network Ten on media releases, sponsorship, television commercials, interviews etc and basically being able to know where each housemate is every hour of the day. After three months of running around the office like a chook with its head cut off I felt an amazing sense of achievement when I was on the Gold Coast watching Gretel announce the winner of Big Brother 2007.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   I applied for the position of Big Brother Coordinator with The Harry M Miller Group in February 2007 which was advertised in the jobs section of the APM website. I went for the interview and ended up being offered the position of receptionist. For three months I worked there before being promoted to Big Brother Coordinator and now I am an Agent.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   

   Relevant course content that was taught in an interesting manner by industry professionals. During the year there are also many opportunities to volunteer at events where you can make valuable contacts from the industry.
   

9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   Don’t expect to fall into a job in the entertainment industry if you are not prepared to work harder than the person next to you. From my short time working in the thick of industry you need to work hard and enjoy your work. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing then you need to move on. Although the perception is it’s all about who you know this is not entirely true. Yes it could get you into the mail room but there is no way you will see anymore than parcels and letters unless you give 100% and enjoy giving 100%.
   
   Don’t start your course with no goals. I believe too many people go to university or gain a diploma and have no idea what they want to do with their life. Four years down the track they still don’t know what they want to do. APM provides career advisors who can assist you in figuring out what position could suit you within an industry from analysing your likes/dislikes, skills etc. Take advantage of this student service earlier rather than later.
   
   
10. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    

    The Harry M Miller Group is a company where I can continually grow and learn. I plan to be at the company for a very long time. One day I would like to combine my creativity and love of music and dance with all the business skills I have gained from The Harry M Miller Group to be a director/choreographer of a hit musical.
    

11. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    

    I’m always looking at new ways to increase my skills and knowledge through short courses, seminars and asking my work colleagues to provide feedback on new ideas I have come up with or advise on a particular client situation. You learn the most you could ever learn by being thrown in the deep end and fishing your way out, hitting the odd rock now and again. At the end of the day you need to make mistakes so you learn never to make them again.