GRADUATE SPECIAL
CASE STUDY: Gavin Smith
What university/higher education course did you take and where?
I went to the University of Gloucestershire – Bsc sport and exercise science.
Did you enter the leisure industry directly from university or did you undertake a post-grad course or any other course?
Direct to Premier Training to do a diploma in personal training and sports massage.
Where do you work? What is your position?
I am currently working for Steiner Leisure as a fitness instructor.
What does your day-to-day role include?
My current role includes studying everyday to prepare myself for working on a cruise ship. When I am on a ship a typical day will include running classes (yoga, pilates, spin- ning, tai chi), personal training, seminars, consultations, being in control of the gym and being responsible for hitting targets.
What attracted you to the leisure industry?
I wanted to do a job that I enjoyed and be surrounded by like minded people.
What attracted you to this sector?
I wanted to be personal trainer before uni- versity, because I loved being in the gym. Also to have a job where you can help peo- ple, work for yourself and earn good cash.
How well do you think your university course prepared you for your career?
It has been the backbone to my success so far! It gave me knowledge and recognition that was priceless and helped me be at the top of the list and get all the jobs I wanted.
How does working in the leisure industry compare to your expectations?
Its tough if you don't apply yourself and be proactive, especially as a freelance PT. But as I have found with Steiner the are so many amazing fitness jobs out there
What career advice would you have for last-year students/graduates looking to get into the industry?
Go do a personal training course. The knowl- edge you get at university is amazing but you don't get taught how to apply it and make money from it. I was going to the gym for years before university, so I thought "I know what I am doing" when it came to helping people reach their goals. I was wrong. There are so many components of instructing and tricks of the trade they teach you that will ultimately affect how you do.
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news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk
Attractions operator Merlin offers a popular graduate management scheme
local authorities and the major sports development agencies. Coaching students are expected to apply their learning to ongoing involvement with athletes and teams. Management students have the chance to work with external organisations on research projects and placements." Places on most postgraduate courses will
be hotly contested, but the incentive is there to prove your worth and push hard with an application. Dimeo adds that students benefit from being part of a smaller class and receiving extra contact time with staff.
Training to gain
If postgraduate study does not seem like the right option for you, then you can consider the alternative options depending on what part of the sector you are looking to enter. Would-be fitness instructors and personal trainers can take advantage of tailor-made schemes offered by training providers, including two new programmes aimed at students and graduates due to be launched by training company Lifetime in June. Lifetime's Fastrack Fitness Instructor and
Student Fastrack Exercise to Music Instructor courses have been developed to build on the theoretical skills you will have learned as part of your degree qualification by providing the necessary hands-on experience that is a crucial element when looking to enter the health and fitness sector. Successful comple- tion of the programme(s) comes with a Level
Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital
2 qualification to add to your degree – an attractive prospect to any potential employer.
At your leisure
Leisure facilities operator Parkwood Leisure runs a graduate scheme that seeks to attract
"management and technical leaders" covering a wide range of opportunities. While predominantly responsible for the running of public sector-owned venues, the group has a vast portfolio and individuals can take control of their own future as part of its graduate scheme. "Candidates can learn an in depth knowl-
edge of the industry, the market place and management skills," explains the group's HR director Alan Tucker. "Although the graduate scheme gives a good launch pad, we will work with the individuals, mentoring and providing opportunities as their careers progress. All areas of our service have become more technical over the years.
© Cybertrek 2010
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