Matt Spiller
Graduate, Diploma of Business (Marketing) major in Event Management

Matt's thoughts on his time at APM are below:

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   The informative open days held by the college.
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   I had owned my own café in the UK which I sold when moving to Australia. I was still in the hospitality industry but looking for a new challenge.
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   The broadening of horizons, the new knowledge gained in subjects I was interested in. I also liked that part-time students had a broad range of skills and backgrounds and had a definite motivation to learn and produce quality work.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   To gain a formal qualification in Australia.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   Traffic and Pedestrian Coordinator, Red Bull Air Race Perth.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   The position involves coordinating and implementing the traffic management plan for Perth's largest spectator event. With in excess of 300,000 people expected to attend the event over two days, my role is to ensure that the general public can travel and move around the event as safely as possible.
   I have to liaise and manage all the different stakeholders of the Red Bill Air Race. This involves police, councils, mainroads groups, national disabled service, cycle groups, the taxi council and a whole other host of groups. I am responsible for coordinating the group and ensuring that the event can go ahead with the happy consent of all parties.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   I volunteered on the inaugural air race in 2006. This was arranged by Luke, one of the lecturers at APM. At the event I was handed a traffic management role which got bigger as the event unfolded. This led to me being asked back this year.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM courses?
   
   I met some intelligent and driven people whom I hope to go on and build a lasting working relationship with. I have gained employment in the industry I was hoping to work in and that is a direct result of signing up at APM.
   
   
9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   Talk to people, define what area of event management you would like to work in and volunteer.
   
   
10. Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduated?
    
    I found employment after making myself available for any event opportunity that became available. By building up a network of contacts and doing a good job when asked, I found that opportunities presented themselves.
    
    
11. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    I would like to produce a major event.
    
    
12. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    Enrolling at APM, volunteering and picking up the phone and introducing myself to all the people I could think of who worked in the area of the events industry that I wanted to become involved in.