Rachael writes her own success story
3 May 2002
Rachael Apperley.
If her past achievements are any indication, 23 year-old Rachael Apperley has a bright future ahead in public relations.
Even before she had completed Kangan Batman TAFE's Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations), Rachael had a broad variety of PR experience on her CV.
Her academic achievements, enthusiasm and flair for PR have also recently been recognised through one of Kangan Batman TAFEÂ's highest student awards – the Gold Medallion Award for best student in the Business school.
Throughout the two years of her course at Kangan Batman's Essendon campus, Rachael took any opportunity to practice and develop her public relations skills, volunteering to work on a range of extra-curricular activities. She was part of a small team of PR students who assisted the institute's Marketing Department with its annual Open Day, helping promote Kangan Batman TAFE to prospective students.
Rachael was also part of a team that produced several student publications, and event-managed the annual Student Ball on behalf of the student association, KITSA.
In the second year of her studies, Rachael also ran a successful campaign to become the elected Student Member of the Kangan Batman TAFE Institute Council. This role drew on her well-developed communication skills, as her campaign involved extensive public speaking, and, once elected, she was required to interact with community and industry representatives, ranging from company CEOs to small business people. Whereas many her age would be daunted by such an opportunity, Rachael handled it with confidence and maturity.
Rachael credits her teaching experience with developing her communication and public speaking skills. She teaches jewellery-making at Bizzarr Beads, where she has worked since finishing Year 12.
It was this job which lead her to enrol for the PR course. She was the store manager for three years, and during that time completed the Certificate III in Retail through on-the-job assessment. Achieving this qualification inspired her to undertake further study, a decision which has proven highly fortunate.
During her advanced diploma, Rachael did a practical placement with the Melbourne Festival, providing publicity support such as writing media releases. At the end of her placement, she was offered a paid part-time job.
Her other public relations experience has included promoting a friend's nightclub, and working for another fashion designer friend, helping her to communicate with her business partners, consumers and buyers.
Now that she has completed her studies, Rachael hopes to find a full-time position in PR.
"I'm proud of myself for achieving my goal of finishing my course. It took a lot of self-discipline to make myself study because I was working long hours in retail to support myself", Rachael says.
"It was really hard if I'd worked late, to study the next day. But now I've reached my goal and my next one is to find work in a PR consultancy, perhaps in the fashion area."
Kangan Batman TAFE has 24,000 students across its six campuses in Broadmeadows, Moreland, Richmond, Coburg, Avondale Heights and Essendon.
Each year in May, Kangan Batman TAFE conducts two graduation ceremonies at the Moonee Valley Racecourse to accommodate all of its graduates and award-winning students.
The first ceremony, at which Rachael received her awards, was held on Friday 3 May. The Hume City Council was major sponsor of the ceremony, while Broadmeadows Town Centre was supporting sponsor.
Rachael won the following awards:
- Gold Medallion Award for Best Student in the Business Group
- Silver Medallion Award for Best Student in Finance, Management & Marketing
- Outstanding Achievement - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
