Jessica Lourigan
Graduate, Advanced Diploma of Business (Marketing) major in Public Relations

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

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   

   The accelerated course structure and the business nature of the college. I liked the combination of the theory and applying that to the practical aspects of the industry. The internship placement and being taught by practicing industry professionals were drawcards.
   I appreciated the importance that the college placed on networking and the different avenues used to give students the opportunity to network and make valuable contacts eg. networking nights, coffee clubs, PRIA and industry nights.
   
   I was also attracted to APM because:

   • It’s a quality, private college offering the best in marketing and communication education.
   • It’s listed as accredited by leading educational, business and marketing bodies - in particular PRIA.
   • APM has some of the most prominent companies in the industry take part in the internship placement.
   • The smaller classes give you the opportunity to fine tune your learning and place more focus and clarification to areas that may need extra attention or are simply of interest.
     
     
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   

   I deferred my studies at APM for three years to travel and between short trips away and annual leave I worked at David Jones.

   On completing my HSC I started at David Jones in a casual position because at the time David Jones was listed as a company participating in the APM internship program.

   I saw this as ‘getting my foot in the door’ and soon after was offered the David Jones traineeship position that saw me defer studies with APM and study through David Jones and gain insight into all areas of retailing from the selling floor to management corporate levels, logistics to buying and marketing.

   The time and insight that I gained of the marketing department of the company confirmed my desire and career direction towards Public Relations right in time for me to start majoring in the field of PR as my deferment ended.
   

3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   

   Definitely the accelerated learning, each course is formulated to fast track your study and work load to get students into the industry, qualified and into the workplace and earning money.

   This ‘realness’ and insight that the course gives you of the PR industry, as cliché as it sounds, was the final confirmation for me, after a deferment of three years, that this was the job and industry I wanted to get into but equally a career and that I wanted to follow.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   

   To graduate with high distinction average grades, gain loads of contacts and experience and land a job in publicity, ultimately in David Jones. To my delight I have ticked each goal off the list!
   

5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   

   Publicity Coordinator, David Jones
   

6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   

   Coordinating all activity that is placed around the David Jones seasonal calendar from fashion collections launch, to corporate events, food, lifestyle, home and beauty and special annual events for example Christmas and Easter. Liaising with interstate publicity consultants, marketing, designers, buyers, management, media, celebrities and key talent. Overall assisting in the smooth running of the publicity department and getting all that David Jones is and associated with in the media to be in the public eye.
   

7. How did you find your current job?
   
   

   I’m now working at the company that I completed my internship placement with. Nearing the end of the internship the publicity manager for David Jones approached me and offered me the job as Publicity Coordinator.
   

8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   

   The opportunity to do so much and apply the knowledge that you learn to practical real life business situations.
   

9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   

   That’s just it... Break into the industry in every way possible. Put your hand up for everything, volunteer, network. Take up the opportunities that come your way and value the importance of contacts. For example, I volunteered in Royal Australian Fashion week, APEC, Pink Ribbon Day (David Jones is a major sponsor) and attended /took part in extracurricular APM activities, workshops, PRIA nights, networking events etc....You just never know who you’ll meet and you may miss out on opportunity if you don’t!
   

10. Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduated?
    
    Made possible through the internship placement, to my delight the job was offered to me, which made the transition from full time study to finding full time work easy.
    
    
11. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    

    I would love to become the Public Relations Manager for David Jones, and whilst working towards this goal I want to complete my Bachelor of Business (PR) degree and ultimately gain my Masters in Communications, to long term own my own consultancy ‘LoDown Communications!’ And of course along the way...travel.
    

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

    ‘Getting my foot in the door’ as the saying goes has proven to be true for me and the direction that my career has taken. Maintaining a career and rapport with David Jones whist studying has helped in the success and fast paced career progression that I’ve taken.