Sport Career Academy Information:
Want to enhance your CV, gain sporting qualifications and do something rewarding in a sports environment? Come and join the Sport Career Academy. We are focused on your development, providing you with voluntary opportunities that improve and develop your skills and consolidate your academic studies.
With record numbers of applicants applying for jobs, there's rarely been a tougher time for graduates within the sporting industry. Expectations are greater and employers are looking for individuals who have gone above and beyond the normal degree.
"Volunteering is a savvy use of an individual's time, valued by employers and the community alike" (Andrea Rannard, Volunteering England)
Neil Mullen graduated in Sport Exercise Science in 2010 and is one of our sport graduate students who has secured a job. As he embarks his new career as a teaching assistant, he is under no doubt his 3 years of volunteering and his podium scholarship has played an important part in getting the job;
"It
was something
I was always keen to do and get involved with. It's been great. I've built up a lot of valuable
experience and I really believe it helped me get the job. I've faced a variety
of scenarios, which are real life scenarios, and nothing fazes me going into
any session."
Join the exclusive Sport Career Academy and within 3 years, pending your hours you could become a qualified coach, received national volunteer awards and become a Sport Career Academy Scholar.
Investigate the opportunities available by clicking on the links right of the page.
Facts, Figures and Quotes:
87% of employers think that volunteering can have a generally positive effect on career progression for people aged 16-25 (Youth Volunteering: Attitudes and Perceptions, 2008, v).
Over 70 % of employees said they were more likely to employee someone who had volunteering experience than not (Timebank, 2009).
The following quotes have been taken from students and organisations who were involved in the academy.
Students:
“I volunteered at a number of different events, including the Sunderland Schools Triathlon, the ESAA Track and Field Championships and International Students Sports Days. I also begun to coach the beginners Netball and pay and play sessions. Within 3 months of completing my Degree, I now have a job at Northumbria University in the Department of Sports Development, management and Coaching and feel that I could not have gotten this job without the support I received from the Sport Career Academy” (Ashleigh Keenan, BSc Sports and Exercise Science Graduate 2012).
"I'm very happy with the programme. It offers a great deal not just the clients but to me as well. I just wouldn't get this experience elsewhere" (Stephen Dale, Student involved with SUNEE)
"I think volunteering is vital, the knowledge, experience and understanding you gain, really makes you standout from other individuals and gives you confidence. I strongly recommend students go onto the Sport Ambassadors programme and volunteer" (Claire White, BSc Sports and Exercise Development, Graduate 2009).
Placement and Organisation hosts:
"The skills and abilities of the students are an invaluable resource that really make a difference to our programme of activities that impact on the lives of many different groups throughout the North East. Our project grows year on year and without the support of student volunteers we simply couldn't achieve our aims" (Neil Hurren, Regional Universities Sports Co-ordinator, SUNEE)
"Volunteers are an invaluable help and operated in a most mature manner, thank you" (N. Waterfield, Regional Development Officer, Badminton England)
