Student Q&A: Theresa Fitzgerald

Editor's note: Upskilled is currently not taking enrolments for event management. Please contact us on 1300 009 924 to discuss other course options.
Editor's note: Theresa successfully completed her studies with Upskilled in January 2020. 

Theresa Fitzgerald is currently studying the SIT50316 - Diploma of Event Management with Upskilled and is on her way to completing her studies.

From organising birthdays and wedding parties, she has always been the official event planner for her family and for a long time has wanted to do event planning professionally.

She shares more on how studying the course has helped her gain relevant skills for an event planner role, what short and long-term goals she has for the future and how her trainer assisted throughout her studies. 

What sparked your interest in studying the SIT50316 - Diploma of Event Management?

I have always been an organiser. I like to know what, where, how and why everything is happening around me. I’ve been appointed the official event planner in my family for birthdays and wedding parties - I love it. An event planner would be my dream job.

Five years ago, I was in a job interview and the people asked me where I see myself in five years and my answer was to be an event planner. Since then, I haven’t done anything to be on that career path but I decided that 2019 would be the year for me to start the journey and pursue the role. I love it so much and I think it has a lot to do with seeing the look on people’s faces once it all comes together and knowing you played a part. It’s a wonderful feeling. 

Could you tell us more about your current job. Has the course improved the way you work for future job roles in event management?

 I currently have two jobs. I’m working a full-time role at my Local Council in the Rates Department. I’ve been there for the past ten years, and the other is a casual role working as front-of-house staff at a local Theatre/Entertainment Centre. I’ve only been working there since March of this year. I knew this job would greatly assist me throughout my studies. 

I have already undertaken the role of usher, floater, bar staff and a few other ones. Once I finish my studies, I would like to try out the role of duty manager. I am enjoying the course so much; it has opened my eyes to what life as an event planner could look like.

What skills have you gained or improved on since studying the Diploma?

I think I have been able to look at things from a different view since I always see things from the Customer’s perspective. However, since studying the Diploma, I have had to look at it from different angles as the manager/director, sponsors and performers. It has definitely helped me look outside the box. 

Could you share how your trainer has assisted you throughout the course? 

My trainer Gideon Roos has been amazing. Having not studied in a while, I was very nervous at first. However, Gideon has been so helpful when it comes to explaining questions and giving feedback on assessments. He has been able to help with questions, big or small. I’m so grateful to have such an involved and helpful trainer. 

Tell us your experience with online learning. How did it help you?

I’ve never undertaken online study before. At first, it was quite daunting to navigate but after speaking to my Student Support Consultant, Nazia and Trainer, Gideon, they both assisted me on the navigation of the website and the learning tools available to me. 

What aspects of the course have you enjoyed and why?

I have honestly enjoyed it all because it’s something I have a real passion for. The assessments can sometimes be overwhelming but being able to do it at your own pace really helps. However, you do need to make a plan for when you will undertake study to do your assessment or it may get forgotten or overdue, which can then become very overwhelming. 

What short or long-term goals do you have planned for the future once you complete the course? 

As a short-term goal, I would like to continue my current casual job and learn all the roles and eventually undertake work as the duty manager and be comfortable and confident with its responsibilities. For the long-term, I would like to secure a full-time role as an event planner or ultimately open my own event planning business.

Dreaming of planning and organising events like Theresa? 

If you have a strong passion for the events on a personal level, you may want to consider pursuing it as a career path and choose to study the SIT50316 - Diploma of Event Management, a qualification that can potentially improve your employment prospects in the industry.

The course is designed to be completed within 12 months and you will learn how to source and use information on the events industry, coordinate on-site event registrations, manage event staging components and more. Get in touch with an Upskilled education consultant by calling 1300 009 924 and see how a qualification in events can help you make a mark in the industry.