Scholarship + Surf Lifesavers Internship = ICMS Student’s Sports Industry Launchpad

An internship with Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches as part of his scholarship award gave ICMS Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) student Lachlan Small industry experience and confidence to keep dreaming of a career in sports.

“My dream job is to work in the sports industry and work higher up in the sports field. By studying at ICMS and doing this internship, this puts me in the best possible position for that,” Lachlan said.

“Receiving the scholarship means so much to me because I know how many students applied for it, and I know by receiving it, it will enhance my career in the future.”

ICMS X SLSSNB Partnership for Safer Beaches, Scholarship Opportunity and Career Pathway

ICMS’ continuous sponsorship of Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches (SLSSNB) clubs, spanning six years and ongoing, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the 3 million annual beachgoers along the picturesque Northern Beaches coastline.

With SLSSNB being a volunteer organisation boasting an 18,000-strong membership and approximately 7,500 active patrolling members, the volunteers dedicated nearly 145,000 hours last season to patrol the 21 beaches, executing 27,000 preventative measures.

“Surf Life Saving  Northern Beaches takes care of the 21 beaches which allows all the regional students and international students from ICMS to swim safely at the beach. It’s great for me to be a part of this partnership that benefits all the students on campus,” Lachlan said.

The partnership not only ensures essential lifeguard services but also enriches the student experience, given ICMS’s proximity to the beaches protected by SLSSNB.

The collaboration has also led to the establishment of the SLSSNB Scholarship within the ICMS Professional Scholarship Program, providing students like Lachlan with invaluable industry exposure and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Real-World Application of Knowledge

During his time at SLSNB, Lachlan was able to blend the theoretical knowledge gained at ICMS with real-life situations in the surf life saving organisation.

“In my surf life saving scholarship internship, I taught many courses like bronze medallions and surf school programs,” he said.

Lachlan had recently finished his own bronze medallion during his surf life saving internship.

He explained that a bronze medallion includes various aspects of surf life saving like board rescues, fitness training, and CPR. He recommended completing the bronze medallion to any ICMS students who were keen on engaging with surf life saving activities.

Lachlan not only honed essential lifesaving skills but also embraced the broader event management opportunities that the organisation provides.

“One of the memorable experiences at my internship was the Junior Lifesaver at the Year Awards. I was given the responsibility of working on the behind-the-scenes work of the event. It was great for me to use the theory that I’ve learned at ICMS into a real-world scenario. I really enjoyed working on that event.”

Internships, like the one Lachlan did, are a key part of the ICMS Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Program.

This means that all ICMS students, whether they get a scholarship or not, complete an internship as part of their degree. This gives them vital industry experience when they graduate, often resulting in being offered employment by the industry partner they placed with.

Future Goals

Lachlan’s experiences at ICMS and his internship have fueled his dream of excelling in the sports industry.

“ICMS gave me an experience that I will never forget because I was able to complete an internship, work on so many events, and I really think I came out of my shell.

“After leaving high school, I was very shy and very nervous to go to university.

“Living on campus was one of the best things. I met so many people and did so many unique activities. I just really had a good time.”

During his time at ICMS, he experienced a supportive atmosphere and individualised attention that not only improved his academics but also helped him grow personally, enabling him to tackle obstacles and embrace new opportunities.

“At ICMS, the classroom environment is not too big and I get the support that I need in the class. I get to interact with my fellow students and the lecturers.

“You get to know your lecturers on a first name basis. They know who you are. They treat you as a person and not just a number. It is a great experience.”

Watch SLSSNB CEO Tracey Hare-Boyd explain more about the ICMS X SLSSNB partnership in this video.

To find out more about the ICMS X SLSSNB partnership, click here.

To find out more about the ICMS Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) degree, click here.

To find out more about the ICMS Professional Scholarships Program, click here.