Sports Management Student Kick-Started His Career During Placement

Sports Management student Ewan Metcalfe is #alreadyhired, landing a full-time role with International Premier Events (IPE), after kick-starting his career during his ICMS industry placement.

After initially commencing his studies at a different higher education institution, Ewan realised that he wanted a degree with more of a business focus – one that would “correlate with trying to pave a way into a successful career”.

He found the Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) at ICMS which blends core business subjects with sports specialisation subjects. This is a blend that sports lover Ewan appreciates as it gives him the balance he was looking for in his studies.

“Developing an idea about business models….and being able to balance those business subjects with subjects like Innovation in Sports Management makes you keen to go to class and be involved in discussions,” said Ewan.

As part of all undergraduate courses at ICMS there is a compulsory Work Integrated Learning program where each student completes a training placement with a company within their chosen industry. Ewan’s compulsory placement with International Premier Events (IPE) was so successful they have kept him on as a full-time employee while he is still studying!

IPE are a Sydney-based, privately owned company Australian sports marketing and event management company specialises in talent representation, sponsorships and providing corporate hospitality for all major sporting events throughout Australasia.

Prior to Ewan beginning his placement with IPE, they had previously taken on another ICMS student to trial their internship program, from this IPE became one of ICMS’ industry partners.

“It was a super unique experience as it was during COVID-19, meaning there were no events although I was driven to gain anything I could from the internship experience,” says Ewan.

From his placement he learnt that it was important to continuously develop skills and take on new information everyday as building knowledge and a greater awareness of every aspect of the business can lead to becoming the best in the industry.

Ewan was offered a trial in the sales department of the business and from there he was offered a full-time role with the company. His current title is Sales Executive at International Premier Events, selling corporate sports packages to new business for any events the company is connected with as well as maintaining strong relationships with his own clientele base.

Ewan’s future goals are to continue his development as a Sales Executive and learn from others in his workplace. “I perceive these people as the best in the business and strive to be on the same level as them one day. Who knows, maybe one day I will create my own business and become my own boss.”

Now in his final year of study, Ewan’s advice for future students are to make the most of any opportunities that come your way and remain focused on the end goal because that’s what makes the hard work worthwhile.

“You have to think about the opportunities you are given and create an amazing future for yourself! Through being at ICMS and the geographical location, it always reminded me to stay grounded, keep working hard to further improve my life and stay happy,” he says.

It is this positive attitude that his employers and lecturers admire most about Ewan!

Bachelor of Business (Sports Management)

The ICMS Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) gets you to wherever there is sport – which is just about everywhere. From athlete and facilities management to marketing and finance, a Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) will prepare you for a leadership role in this ever-evolving and intensely exciting business environment.

Subjects focus on core business skills with the addition of specialised sports management subjects. Business subjects include sales and marketing; agile leadership, collaboration and managing people; strategic planning and innovative problem solving; and financial literacy.

In your specialisation subjects you will be exposed to the global sports industry and gain insights into those areas of sport management vital for a successful career in this most exciting of industries.

Sports management and business subjects are supplemented by elective subjects from a range of business areas. Your choices include electives in marketing, international tourism, entrepreneurship, hospitality management and event management. This allows you to enhance your degree with subjects that reflect your interests and ambitions.

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