GRADUATE SPECIAL Grad Expectations


Graduating from university is only the end of the beginning of your path towards a successful career in the leisure industry


many higher education institutions dur- ing Freshers’ Week. But chances are it has come around a lot quicker than you would ever have imagined – it’s true: time fl ies when you’re having fun. While the prospect of completing your degree draws closer, the time is now to start thinking about where you turn to next in order to ensure you get the job that you want. Media headlines may focus on negative


G


employment statistics, but the reality is that now is a fantastic time to enter the hospital- ity, tourism and sport sectors – industries that are among the few in recent years to continue growing. New research has found that students and graduates looking for a career within the leisure sector on the pros- pects.ac.uk website has increased 180 per cent between January 2010 and January 2011. T ere are already plenty of things can you do now to enhance your job pros- pects. Stephen Studd, CEO of Skills Active, says: “T e leisure industry off ers a vari- ety of opportunities to put your skills into practice such as seasonal employment, vol- unteer programmes, part-time employment options and work placements.” However, it’s not all plain sailing. T e lei-


sure sector may be going through a period of growth, but you still need to know which qualifi cations and skills will help you get your foot on the proverbial ladder. Your degree is the key that helps unlock your potential; it’s just about choosing the right door.


14


raduating is not something at the forefront of your mind when enrolling on at one of the UK’s


Postgraduate study Whisper it quietly, but you don’t have to leave university just yet. T ere are plenty of sector- specifi c postgraduate courses on off er across the country – perhaps even at the institution you’re about to graduate from. Adrian Schonfeld, lecturer in sport and


James Thompson CASE STUDY


What university course did you take? Electronic Imaging and Media


Communications at University of Bradford What is your current position with Goals?


general manager of Goals Leeds What does your current role include? As general manager I have full fi nancial, commercial and operational responsibil- ity for the facilities which includes 18 state of the art outdoor fl oodlit pitches and a licensed sports lounge. T e role is very much front of house and hands-on. I’m responsible for devising and implementing sales and marketing plans, working to strict key performance and quality indicators in terms of daily activity and revenue streams What is the best part of your job? Working in a city with so many exciting opportunities but also working with like- minded people and dealing with customers that I can relate to. What attracted you to leisure? T e fact that every day would be diff erent and I would get to work with so many like


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


mind people (customers and staff ) What attracted you to 5-a-side football specifi cally?


What’s not attractive about saying ‘I work in football’. People actually think my job is cool. Being passionate about football out- side of work means that I can enjoy coming to, talking about, thinking about and dreaming about work. Was it easy to secure a placement on the graduate/training scheme? I actually started in a part time role while at university, progressing to full time trainee and assistant managers roles. What advice would you have for last-year students/graduates looking to get into the industry? Ask yourself, what other industry can you learn all the valuable skills of sales and people management whilst being part of the country’s national sport and passion? I would even suggest popping down to your local Goals Centre to feel the atmosphere and excitement of a busy night.


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2011


exercise psychology at Leeds Metropolitan University, reaffi rms the importance of understanding that a degree may not cover everything you need to know, but also believes that students diff er in obtaining the employability skills. “You can expect that an applicant with a masters degree


© ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ALDO MURILLO


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24