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CASE STUDY: Vicki Oldfield

What university/higher education course did you take and where?

I got a 2:1 in BSc sport and exercise science from Loughborough University.

Did you enter the leisure industry directly from university or did you undertake a post- grad course or any other course?

I first found the link to the Greenwich Leisure (GLL) website and Graduate Trainee Managers scheme through the Leisure Opportunities website. On the Leisure Opportunities and GLL websites, there was all the information I need- ed and so decided to apply for a position.

Where do you work? What is your position?

I am nearing the end of the two-year gradu- ate scheme, and I am undertaking the role of duty manager at the Waterfront Leisure Centre. This is a challenging placement due to the building being very large and busy. We currently have approximately 4,500 pre-paid members and 15,000 pay and play members – so, as you can imagine every day brings new experiences. We are a flagship centre and the closest to the company's head office in Woolwich, south London.

What attracted you to the leisure industry?

The best part of being a duty manager is knowing that you make a difference to the customer's experience, as well as the staff who are working on your shift. If you are organ- ised and knowledgeable of your centre, you can ensure that the equipment has been set up and is ready in a clean studio at the start of the exercise class. You can make sure that your staff are completing their tasks as neces- sary but enjoying being at work with friends. The best aspect of being a Graduate Trainee

Manager is the fact that you get placed around different centres and get to experi- ence the different roles which you will hope- fully manage in the near future. As a trainee manager you will be exposed to many styles of management and types of clientele across London. This will widen your own experiences of people management as well as providing the opportunity to observe how other people operate under different situations. It is an intense scheme where you will learn a lot about the industry (and a lot about yourself as well) in a short space of time. You will collect the relevant qualifications

along the way and before you know it, it will be time to manage your own team.

© Cybertrek 2010

If you have the drive to succeed, then this will be definitely noticed

What attracted you to this particular sector?

Coming from Loughborough University and having studied sport and exercise science, it will be quite apparent that I have always had a keen interest in sport. After my degree, I naturally looked into the leisure industry as it was important to me that I had a career in which I had a passion and strong interest.

How easy was it to find a job?

The fact that GLL is a not-for-profit social enterprise, actually came second in line in importance when choosing my career path. However, after finding out about this aspect of the organisation, and experiencing its effects first hand, it has added further value to my already very positive attitudes towards GLL and our aims.

How well do you think your university course prepared you for a career in leisure?

GLL's Graduate Trainee Manager scheme is a highly reputable programme. The company offers successful applicants further qualifica- tions, training, experience and great career prospects. Therefore, it is heavily applied for by graduates across the country and it is challenging to get a place on the programme. However, if you have the drive to succeed, and are the right person for the job, then this will definitely be noticed.

How well do you think your university course prepared you for your career?

My time at university prepared me as much as possible for a career in leisure. However, I do feel this is somewhat limited due to the vast difference in student lifestyle compared to that of actually working as a professional in a large London based leisure organisation. The best way to prepare for a career in leisure is to just get involved in working in the industry. This can be part time, whilst completing stud- ies or going straight into it after your studies. I actually specialised in physiology during my degree, however I did complete compulsory business management modules as well.

What advice would you have for last-year students/graduates looking to for a similar career as yours?

If you are looking to get into the industry then it is an advantage to have some experi- ence. This will show you have some basic knowledge of some roles within the industry and that you are keen to expand on this after having a taster of it already. I had worked in catering and my experience was in waitressing rather then sport and fitness. You will have to be up to date with your knowledge on the company you are applying to, they will want to know what you know about them.

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