Leah Tennant
Graduate, Advanced Diploma of Business (Marketing) major in Events Management (2004)

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

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   "The industry experience which APM offered was a major influencing factor - not only through the valuable internship program, but also through volunteer opportunities. Previously being a university student, I realised the benefits of being taught by industry practitioners, rather than just academics. They have walked in the shoes of an events manager- not just read the books!".
   
   
2. What were you doing previous to studying at APM?
   
   "The year before I started APM I was completing a Bachelor of Communications/Public Relations at University of Technology Sydney. In my spare time I was working for ESP Entertainment as a Promotions Hostess. Here I would organise and run weekly promotions throughout clubs".
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   " I really had fun while learning. Unlike uni, APM places you in small classes that you remain in for the entire year. This enabled me to create strong relationships with both my peers and lecturers. Also the opportunity to network with industry professionals through coffee clubs, networking nights, volunteer work and the internship program was invaluable - it is how I got my job".
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   "My goal was to take full advantage of the opportunities that APM offered. I attended coffee clubs and regularly volunteered to work on a variety of events. At these events I networked with industry professionals and always collected business cards. I regularly keep in contact with all of them".
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   For the past year and a half I have been living in the UK. My aim was to further develop my passion of event management and marketing. It has been an amazing experience and it really demonstrates how far APM can take you! At first I was stage managing at large festivals such as Glastonbury with acts like 'The Killers' and 'The Who'. Now I work for the UK's most awarded experiential marketing agency, and at just 23 years old I am managing a team who are all much older than me.
   
   
6. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   "My advice to other APM students would be to utilise the opportunities that the college offers. Take full advantage of networking days and nights and build relationships with industry professionals. Showing initiative doesn’t go unnoticed. I would also advise students to hold onto all their assessments and treat them like a bible … you never know when your employer will ask you to whip up a document that you remember creating during your APM days!
   
   I have involved myself with ISES and MIAA to further extend my knowledge on what is happening in the events industry. I recommend this to all students - it is a great way to learn about and meet event companies. ".