Bernadette Ramos

Senior Events Specialist, Employment Hero
Bachelor of Arts in Event Management & Business Management

Deciding to study a Bachelor of Arts was easy, says Bernadette Ramos who came to AUT to study event management and business management.

“I chose my degree and majors because I wanted to keep my career options open and explore a range of opportunities. At the time, I was still figuring out what direction I wanted my career to take, so I was drawn to a degree that would give me a broad skill set while allowing me to specialise in areas I was interested in. AUT stood out to me because it was the only university offering an event management major. It felt like the perfect opportunity to turn my interest in events into something I could build a career around, while gaining the practical skills and experience that have ultimately shaped my career today.

“The event and business management projects were highly practical and required a lot of teamwork and creativity. We were able to apply the methods and learnings from our courses to simulated events, giving us the opportunity to experience what event planning could look like in practice. We also gained valuable insights from industry professionals, including Auckland Council and graduates who had completed internships overseas. But the highlight of my time at AUT was making connections with my peers. I had the opportunity to meet and work with so many people I wouldn’t have otherwise crossed paths with, which exposed me to different perspectives and ways of thinking. It also helped me strengthen my teamwork skills and build a wider network of connections across Auckland.”

There is one AUT staff member who had a particular impact on her university journey.

“Dr Sandra Goh was an incredible source of support throughout my event management degree. Her industry knowledge and experience were invaluable, but what stood out most were the connections she brought to the programme and the genuine encouragement she gave to all students. She was always willing to share her insights, make connections and support us in exploring opportunities within the industry.”

Creating memorable experiences
After graduating from AUT in 2021, Bernadette has built a career in the events industry and now brings five years of experience across event strategy, planning and delivery. As a recent career milestone, she has been promoted to senior events specialist (NZ) at Employment Hero, a cloud-based HR, payroll and employment software company.

“I love that events are an intangible product to a person. Events have a unique way of bringing people together, sparking meaningful conversations and building communities. Knowing that I've played a part in creating moments and experiences that people will associate with a brand long after the event is over is pretty special.”

She says her studies at AUT prepared her well for the career she has today.

“One of the biggest lessons I took away was the importance of not letting stress from deadlines and competing workloads become overwhelming. The demands of the event management degree prepared me to manage multiple projects at once, prioritise effectively and, most importantly, approach challenges with a calm and focused mindset.”

Advice for other students
Bernadette has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.

“One of the best things you can do while at university is understand your priorities and learn how to manage your time effectively. Remember that ‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’. I’d also encourage students to take advantage of the many opportunities outside the classroom. There are plenty of casual event roles available, from working as a brand ambassador to joining the casual gigs at large-scale events. Even simply attending events can be a great way to learn. Explore different types of events and pay attention to what excites and captivates you – it can help you discover where you want to take your career after university.”

She also has some guidance related to a career in event management.

“It’s completely okay to feel overwhelmed by the workload, especially during the peak of event season. We’re essentially saving PDFs, not saving lives! The events industry can be fast-paced and there will always be another email to respond to, task to tick off or detail to organise. Remember to keep things in perspective – no one is going to die if you don’t reply to that email straight away or if you forgot to arrange the flowers. Learning to prioritise, stay calm under pressure and give yourself some perspective will take you a long way in this industry.”