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Head shot of online Diploma graduate Jacqueline

Meet Jacqueline, who decided to study the online event management Diploma and fast track her way into sporting events

At the time of writing this blog, Jacqueline posted this on Linkedin:

Following an amazing summer of tennis with Tennis Australia at the Australian Open, I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as an Event Assistant at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix”

— Linkedin post

Well that post certainly caught our attention and brought many a congratulatory cheer from all of us at College of Event Management.

Jacqueline is just one of our newest batch of Event Manager – Diploma graduates and has since gone on to become a true sporting event professional. So, what led her to study in the first place? She worked as an executive assistant but wanted to crack into events. She felt the best way to do that was to gain a relevant qualification to add to her existing experience. See more about upskilling to a career in events >>

I’d wanted to upskill for quite some time, but could never find the time between work and raising a family. With Covid in Melbourne came a lot of spare time and this led me into study.”

And study (and juggle) she did. Towards the end of the course Jac landed the Australian Open gig. Keep reading to see how she nabbed such a coveted role and what her experience was like studying with CoEM.

Where do you work and what is your position?

I am now with the Australian F1 Grand Prix team assisting with ancillary events such as Glamour on the Grid and the Official Opening at Government House.

Previous to that I was with Tennis Australia for the Australian Open 2022. My role was Client Delivery Ambassador in the Premium Experience Team.

How long did it take you to secure a job (or internship) in events after graduating?

The Tennis Australia job was secured 4 weeks before graduating.

Why do you feel you got the job over others?

I feel that I got this job because I understood the needs and expectations of my client base having worked as an Executive Assistant in corporate Australia for many years. Having my Diploma in Events Management set me apart from other Executive Assistants who had applied for this role and were trying to get into Events Management.

What does a typical work day look like?

During the Australian Open:

  • Check emails upon waking to deal with any international requests that may have come through overnight
  • Head into work and reply to more emails.
  • Team Meeting to go through the events for the day
  • Action any last minutes changes to the events of the day
  • Prepare and have delivered any merchandise or show bags for the day’s events
  • Check the rooms for my morning events to ensure set up and av is in order and meet with the F&B leader for each event to run through the BEO’s
  • Back to my desk to catch up on emails and meet with the Operations team on forthcoming events and their requirements. Liaise with Accreditation
  • Try to remember to eat lunch
  • Deal with any issues such as late freight or set up and operational logistics for other events during the tournament.
  • Begin to focus on my evenings events, print BEO’s and check through them.
  • Check the rooms for my evening events to ensure set up and av is in order and meet with the F&B leader for each event to run through the BEO’s
  • Back to my desk, empty inbox. Go back out to the precinct if any issues and head on home!!!!

How satisfied are you with your current role?

Excited beyond belief

What’s the highlight of your event career so far?

From a professional perspective – working with a group of American event managers who travel the world and host guests at all the Tennis Grand Slams and having them give such supportive and positive feedback on my performance to my manager.

From a personal perspective – escorting the AO Men’s Singles Trophies to one of my events and getting to hold the cup (with gloves of course)!!

What led you to study event management?

I had wanted to upskill for quite some time but could never find the time between work and raising a family. With Covid in Melbourne came a lot of spare time and this led me into study.

Did the college contribute to you securing this position? If so, how?

Absolutely! I did a few weeks of volunteer work which was arranged through the college’s contacts and having this ‘real life’ event experience definitely assisted with securing my role. See more about our Industry Connections

While studying, how valuable was the Industry Engagement Program and why?

See above!

What other valuable lessons did you take away from your course?

Oh wow! Where do I start! The course was so much more than reading text and ticking boxes. I learned:

  • experience design and customer profiling for marketing.
  • about fundraising and given an opportunity to organise an event that would change lives – whilst I was studying.
  • tools and methods to produce my own events which I have already used in real life scenarios.

What was the best thing about the online study option?

By far the flexibility of online study and being able to complete my study when it suited me. But what I also liked was almost always having another classmate online at any time. I had people from all around Australia in my class and because of different time zones and their work commitments there always seemed to be someone else online to chat with and ask questions.

Do you have any advice for other event management graduates?

Invest in volunteering and keep your LinkedIn up to date.

What do you love about events?

The adrenalin of a deadline!

What does a future in events look like for you?

I’m enjoying delivering events in the corporate sector but my goal is to produce these events in the future.

NOTE: Jacqueline currently works for the Australian F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne assisting with ancillary events such as Glamour on the Grid and the Official Opening at Government House. She is truly an event professional and a sporting events superstar! 

At College of Event Management we offer a range of specialised online event courses. Contact us for more information about the right course to equip you with the knowledge and practical experience to work as an event professional. 

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