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Graduate helps keep folk festival flourishing
A University of the Sunshine Coast graduate is now merging the world of business with culture after landing her dream job with the Woodford Folk Festival.
Bachelor of Business graduate Kim Pengelly of Kawana is into her second month as the commercial manager for the internationally-renowned music, arts and culture festival.
The 23-year-old said her primary role was to oversee an umbrella of commercial entities, working alongside a team of 2,500 people, to keep the Woodford Folk Festival flourishing as one of Australia’s major events.
“My role is to oversee the trading of 14 bars, 180 stalls, three merchandise stalls, and the festival shop and general stores,” she said.
“Even though it’s a not-for-profit organisation, there’s still the business side to consider and we have to generate enough money from this year’s festival for next year.”
While Kim acknowledged the task ahead was challenging, she believed it was well within her capabilities, given the skills she’d obtained at university.
“Studying business at USC gave me a really broad spectrum on things and it’s incredible how much you learn at university and put into place in everyday life,” she said.
“It is very difficult to get a job on the Sunshine Coast so I am certainly very grateful to have landed this role.”
Kim, who went to Mountain Creek State High School, achieved mostly distinctions and high distinctions at USC and won the Highest Achieving Student in Event Management award in 2009.
USC’s Lecturer in Event Management David Gration said Kim’s dedication to her studies had paid off.
“It’s great to see such an outstanding student being able to win such a senior position in the events industry on the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “Kim provides a great example of what students from USC can achieve.”
Kim said her decision to study at USC was based on her desire to live close to family and to keep enjoying the Sunshine Coast lifestyle.
— Michelle Widdicombe