Youth Focus - Erin Fisher

Youth Focus is a new initiative undertaken by Girl.com.au and is designed to provide motivational and enlivening stories about today's youth.

Meet Public Relations Consultant Erin Fisher.

How did you come to decide your career path?
All through school I was involved in Calisthenics (dance) both competing and teaching. I loved the 'back stage' atmosphere and the satisfaction of being responsible for putting performances together and seeing them come off successfully. That sparked my interest in event management and since then I have just always wanted to get into the PR/ events industry.

What attracted you to this industry? What was your perception?
I knew that I didn't want a dull job sitting behind a desk all day - I wanted a job where I could be involved in exciting things and meet different people. Being in a PR/ events job you get to use your creative talents and meet lots of people...including the celebrity kind! You also get to attend all the events that you put together and have the satisfaction of seeing your story in the newspaper.

I suppose I had the 'glamourous' perception at first... that wore off fairly quickly!

What was your work experience prior to enrolment?
I came to APM straight out of high school but I worked part time in a fairy shop doing children's birthday parties - It was a good basis for a career in the events industry - something always goes wrong when there are children involved.

What APM course did you do?
Advanced Diploma Marketing - Sport & Entertainment

Was it full time or part time?
Full time

Why did you choose APM Institute?
I came across APM when I was looking for Event Management courses at the Canberra Career's Market. Everything about the course was right for me. I was planning to move to Sydney - APM was in Sydney, I wanted to do event management - APM had a specialised course, I didn't want to spend the next three years studying - APM's courses were 10 months long, I wanted a good chance at getting a good job in the industry - APM had the internship program.

After talking to Alan and reading the course description I didn't look anywhere else.

Where did you do your internship?
The Write Communications Group

What activities did you do in your internship?
Started off doing general admin and database stuff and was given a lot of time to read through client documents etc. to get a feel for what each client did and how The Write Communications Group worked. After I had been there for a few months and had helped out on a few different accounts I was appointed as an account executive on Horticulture Australia's Stonefruit Account where I did basically everything from writing the initial PR strategy, writing all the media releases, helping to implement a promotion with the Blood Bank, helping to organising my first small scale event and writing all reports etc.

How were your fellow students to work with?
My fellow students were fantastic. I moved from Canberra to do the course so I was really stressed when I first started about making new friends and living in a new place etc. I couldn't believe how quickly I formed friendships - it's really good to be in an environment where the people you are learning with share the same interests as you do.

Have you kept in touch?
Yes, my best friends in Sydney are from APM and we all keep in touch and catch up regularly. There are 3 of them that I see all the time.

Where are you working now?
The Write Communications Group

How do you like it?
I love it - It's so much more than where I expected to be with the experience that I have. It still amazes me just how far I have come in such a short space of time.

Was it what you expected when you chose your career?
I'm not sure that I knew exactly what to expect but it's definitely not worse! If anything - the work has come a lot easier to me than what I expected.

What is your title?
Account Executive

What are your responsibilities?
Day to day service of client accounts. There are 5 clients that I am the Account Executive for. I have also started working on new business with my boss.

How did your course help you achieve these?
APM taught me the basis for what I needed to know to slide into my internship easily. I could confidently complete the work that I was asked to do, which proved to me that the education I got at APM was practical.

What are your career plans?
Not definitely sure yet, I like doing PR because I love to write but I would also like to focus a bit more on Event Management. I would really love to travel and have my own business one day.

Are you interested in continuing your training?
I have thought about specialising more in Community Recreation - outdoor events and programs, but I'm not sure yet.

*If you'd like to nominate an inspiring young person who is achieving things in your community (at school, in sport, in the arts etc…), then email michelle@girl.com.au