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Fresh out of uni and straight into an international event — that’s the reality University of Adelaide graduate Olivia Summerton experienced through The Alternative. While completing her Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Corporate Finance), Olivia discovered The Alternative at a careers fair — and immediately knew it was different. “They explained it in a way that just clicked,” Olivia says. “It wasn’t just about ticking a box — it was about real experiences in different industries.” Eager to launch her career in Adelaide, Olivia applied for the program and was thrilled to land a graduate role with 54— the Event Management Company (EMC) behind the internationally acclaimed LIV Golf Adelaide. As an Operations Assistant at the tournament office at Grange Golf Course, no two days were the same. She managed inboxes, kept finance admin on track, ordered supplies, tracked hospitality orders, and even jumped in on the ground to help the event run smoothly. “I loved every minute! There’s so much that goes into it that you don’t realise. “There’s always something that needs doing — you need to be ready for anything.” But for Olivia, it wasn’t just the action-packed environment that made the experience special — it was the people. Supported by her manager, Peta St Clair, and the wider 54 team, she quickly felt part of something bigger and was trusted to take on more responsibility. Peta, Guest Experience and Marketing Director at 54, says Olivia’s attitude set her apart from the start. “She had a great energy — willing to jump in, ask questions, and help wherever needed. No task was too big or too small. She had a real way of making everyone feel good, even when things got hectic.” The Alternative’s support system made the experience even stronger, with regular check-ins to ensure both Olivia and her team felt backed every step of the way. “Having that extra support made such a difference,” Olivia says. “At other workplace experiences, I sometimes felt a bit lost. Here, I always had someone to turn to — even just for the ‘silly’ questions.” “I’d never worked in an office before, so having that guidance really helped. I relied on it more than I expected.” Now, Olivia’s got her sights firmly set on a future she’s passionate about — and the confidence to chase it. “When you graduate, it’s so hard to know what’s next. But this experience showed me that if you follow what you love — for me, that’s sport — you’ll find amazing opportunities.” The Alternative isn’t just about getting a foot in the door — it’s about launching graduates into careers they love, while giving businesses fresh, motivated talent ready to make an impact. As Peta puts it: “You get out what you put in — and Olivia put in 110%.” If you’re a graduate ready to launch your career, or a business looking for your next rising star, now’s the time to jump into The Alternative. |