Yvette Thompson
Graduate, Advanced Diploma Business (Marketing) major in Sports & Entertainment

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

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   I wanted a short course that was industry recognised with good job contacts. The lecturers still worked in their respective industries and had first hand knowledge and advice.
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   I was working in a small sports management company, Original Pro Sports Management on reception and decided I wanted to pursue that field as a career.
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   We didn’t just go to class and learn from a textbook. There were a lot of different opportunities offered by APM, such as coffee clubs were we met people in the events/marketing industry who could give us advice and answer our questions – preparing us for what to expect. There were also job opportunities offered regularly, industry expos and of course the internship that got me a position at Nova 96.9 for a time.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   I wanted a course that would get me into the entertainment industry – something that would prepare me both intellectually and professionally.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   Group Sales, Luna Park. I am accountable for all children’s parties, school bookings and corporate team building days both in sales and marketing. This year my role has also expanded to include specialised functions like ‘The Big Top Ball’ combined Christmas party, Christmas day lunch and the NRL launch of One Community and My Clubhouse.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   I am accountable for the growth of the group business. This includes the sales and marketing, which I get to design and implement myself.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   I applied for a different job through an agency, and they called me about this role about a week later. I was very lucky.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   I felt APM prepared me for the industry professionally. One of the biggest aspects of my job is industry networking opportunities, and APM incorporates this into the course.
   
   
9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   Every opportunity you have to meet people in the industry, go. Use your internship as a springboard. Once you have a network of people, it makes it that much easier to come across your dream job.
   
   
10. Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduated?
    
    I found a job with a publishing company almost straight away. I gained some valuable skills and grew alot professionally, but it took me almost 3 years to get to Luna Park. It is hard, but everything I learnt a long the way helps me with my position now.
    
    
11. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    I want to get my degree in marketing in 2008. I can do this by correspondence while still working, and I can gain exemptions for subjects from my APM course.
    
    
12. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    

    I just completed a small business management course at TAFE in the evenings and Luna Park has put me through a networking training program which was invaluable.