Nick Leyden
Graduate, Advanced Diploma Business (Marketing) major in sport

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

1. What made you choose to study at APM?
   
   I love anything to do with sport and to combine it with work was something that appealed to me. The 1 year length of the course was also an attraction as it meant I could get out and use my qualification quicker.
   
   
2. What were you doing previously to studying at APM?
   
   I was working and living in Darwin. My jobs up their included working for the Darwin Chamber of Commerce as an events assistant and the Department of Defence in the RIS department (Research Investigation Services).
   
   
3. What did you enjoy about the course you studied?
   
   I enjoyed the length of the course and the fact that a lot of it was really relevant to what is expected of you once you start working in the industry. I really enjoyed the people I met and the fact that unlike a university degree you were able to get to know everyone in your class.
   
   
4. What was your goal when you enrolled at APM?
   
   My goals were to get a credit average in the course and to make contacts in the industry.
   
   
5. What is your current job title, company name and job description?
   
   My current job title is National Marketing Assistant for Zest Health Clubs.
   
   
6. Describe what your current role involves?
   
   My current role involves looking after the Marketing of our 29 clubs Australia wide in their local areas each month. I also work with the National Marketing/Communications Manager in co-ordinating our national campaigns each month.
   
   
7. How did you find your current job?
   
   I did some research into the company and applied in an administration role to get a foot in the door because there were no marketing roles available. Within 3 months my role came up and I was lucky enough to get it.
   
   
8. What were the most successful aspects of the APM course?
   
   The lecturers are actually working or have worked in the industry which means they are telling you only what you need to know rather then concentrating on unnecessary theory.
   
   
9. What advice do you have for other APM students hoping to break into your field?
   
   My advice would be not to rule a job opportunity out straight away. Everyone has to start somewhere so if it is not the job you want straight away have a think about future opportunities that could come from the role. A foot in the door is the most important thing to have especially when working in sport.
   
   
10. Did you find it easy or hard to get a job after you graduated?
    
    APM has a great name so once I started talking about the nature of the course and the internship that I carried out it certainly became easier.
    
    
11. What other career goals or aspirations do you have?
    
    I would like to someday manage a Marketing/PR agency in Darwin.
    
    
12. What other initiatives have you taken to help your career?
    
    I am constantly getting training on the job with Zest but next year I am looking at doing a Bachelor of Communications to give me further options in the industry.