Lisa Bexley
Graduate, Diploma of Business (Marketing) major in Event Management (2005)

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

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   Lecturers with industry knowledge, relatively short (although very intense!) course of one year, exposure to work experience within the industry, the fact the college is dedicated solely to marketing related subjects..
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   I was employed as a receptionist/office administrator at Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre in the Centre Management Team. My duties basically involved assisting the Office Manager and the Marketing team in the administration aspects of running the shopping centre.
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   The course was so varied in terms of subjects studied which gave me a great all round knowledge base. It also acted as a ‘taster’ and I actually discovered other areas that interest me outside of event management such as strategic marketing.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   Two goals – to graduate with my diploma and to have either moved to an events role or at least made contacts within the industry to facilitate a change in career.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   Assistant Marketing Manager, The Entertainment Quarter (formerly Fox Studios).
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   Officially I assist the Business Affairs and Marketing Manager. I am responsible for organising school holiday entertainment such as live kids shows four times a year. I liaise with our media buyers in developing our media plan for the year; I work closely with our creative agency in strategic development of our brand as well as on tactical press and radio ads.
   I manage onsite signage for EQ, our tenants and external events that use our site. I produce a newsletter for all tenants on site. I also work with the Markets Manager on promoting the Farmers Markets at EQ. I also develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the property such as the SCGT and Centennial Parklands.

7. How did you find your current job?
   
   Gandel Retail Management own both Chatswood Chase and EQ - when the position at EQ became available I applied for the role.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   The lecturers are one of APM’s keys to success. Not only are they knowledgeable but they’re also passionate and dedicated to seeing the students succeed. I also found that basing the assignments on “real life” situations extremely beneficial in terms of being able to apply my academic learnings in the workplace.
   
   
9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   Build a strong CV, gain relevant experience and develop contacts within the industry. So much in life is about who you know and only once you have your foot in the door, it’s about what you know.
   
   
10. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    I aim to continue studying – both at APM and internally through my company. This will help me determine the career path I want to take; either brand management, event management or a dedicated marketing role.

11. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    I have developed good relationships with my managers and kept them informed of my career goals and achievements. I have also taken on challenging projects such as writing marketing strategies in order to develop my learnings further and demonstrate to management my new found skills.