Why ICMS Felt Like a Second Home for Sports Student Liberti Lorefice

Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) student Liberti Lorefice landed a full-time role in the sports industry before graduating. But when you ask her why she chose ICMS, she does not start with career outcomes. She starts with people. 

For Liberti, the close-knit ICMS community shaped her whole experience.  

From her first day at Orientation, the college became a second home and the people around her became like family.

That sense of belonging, she says, is what makes ICMS so different. 

Choosing a place where she would not get lost

Three years ago, Liberti sat where many future students sit now, feeling excited, nervous and unsure.

When deciding what her path would be after completing her schooling at Mercy Catholic College, she had one clear priority: she did not want to get lost in a crowd.

She was thinking about the number of people in her lectures, employment rates after graduation and the chance to make friends. What stood out to her most was the community at ICMS.

“What I didn’t realise at the time was just how much that community would shape my experience,” she said.

A community that runs through the whole college

The nurturing culture at ICMS started with small classes, group assessments and a wide range of social events and clubs. She says it really came to life through the people.

“From the lecturers and student advisors to security and kitchen staff and to the students and maintenance staff, I have never felt like just a number,” she said.

That feeling extended into the classroom too.

“In class, lecturers are genuinely interested in getting to know me and creating an environment where learning felt like a discussion rather than just a lecture,” she said.

They encourage questions and critical thinking, welcome different views, and value each student’s personal experience.

Support did not stop when class ended. Liberti says staff took the time to ask about her work, her weekends and sometimes even what she was having for lunch.

At the Student Success Centre, she always felt welcomed and supported, no matter what she needed help with.

Relationships she will carry for life

These relationships are woven into the culture of ICMS, and they are what she will cherish most.

“One day, I’ll probably forget the mark I received on an assignment or the details of a topic I studied. But I’ll never forget the people who made my experience here so meaningful,” she said.

That support gave her the confidence to get involved and take on new challenges across the college.

Leadership, recognition and giving back

Liberti served as Vice President of the Student Representative Committee (SRC), representing and giving back to the student community.

She also delivered speeches to future students, appeared in marketing campaigns, and worked as a Senior Student Ambassador.

Her efforts earned recognition. She made the Dean’s List and received an award during her placement, and she credits the people around her for both.

“Neither of those achievements would have been possible without the support, guidance, and belief that the people at ICMS have shown in me,” she said.

From placement to a full-time career in sport

The opportunity that shaped her career most was her Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement.

This part of her ICMS degree gave her the chance to gain industry experience before graduating and apply what she learned in class to a real professional setting.

She completed it with Supercars, best known for events including the Bathurst 1000.

She joined as a Partnerships Intern, spending three days a week for six months learning about sponsorship, client management and the commercial side of professional sport.

At the end of her placement, Supercars offered her a full-time role as Partnerships Coordinator. She now looks after sponsors including Triple M and Pit Viper.

“To have secured a role in the industry before even graduating is something that wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities ICMS provided and the people who encouraged me every step of the way,” she said.

Leaving with far more than a degree

As she prepares to move on, Liberti reflects on everything ICMS gave her beyond a qualification.

“I am leaving ICMS with more than just a degree. I’m leaving with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, incredible mentors, invaluable industry experience, and a career that I’m very excited to continue building,” she said.

Her advice to future students is straightforward: get involved, say yes as often as you can, and put yourself out there.

“The experiences you gain and the connections you build will shape your time studying far more than any assignment, exam, or grade ever will,” she said.

“ICMS has given me so much more than an education, and for that I will always be grateful.”

Disclaimer: The views and experiences expressed in this article are those of the student and reflect their individual experience at ICMS. Results and experiences may vary. Placement opportunities and career outcomes are subject to individual performance, program requirements, and industry availability. ICMS does not guarantee employment or specific placement outcomes.