Can you describe your current role and how you got there after graduating?
I work for Beicio Cymru (Welsh Cycling), the national governing body for cycling in Wales. I am the North Wales Regional Development Manager, where I try to engage new people into the sport, and coordinating and organising projects, programmes and events.
After graduating, I worked in Bangor University's Athletic Union as Vice President for Sport. I was not 100% what I wanted to do as a career, but I knew I wanted it to be in sport, and there I found a passion for sport development, and help supporting and providing opportunities to people, to ensure they have a similar sporting experience to me growing up.
How did your degree contribute to your career development?
Through studying Sport, Health and PE, it was a varied and wide ranged course, covering different aspects of sports, from sports science to physical education, and allowed me to understand which path I wanted to go down.
What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting your career, and how did you overcome it?
After my time at Bangor University's Athletic Union finished due to the role being fixed term, my biggest challenge was narrowing what I want to specialize in within sport development, whether that's event delivery, performance sport, coordination etc.
Are there any specific skills from your course that you use regularly in your job?
My course gave me skills I didn't think I'd get and improve in, whether that's presenting, report writing, deadline meeting, independent working and responsibility, all these skills outside of the knowledge you gain from your course, is all relevant in the workplace.
How important has networking been in your career progression?
Especially in Wales, and North Wales especially, networking is huge. The North Wales sports sector is rather small, therefore opportunities to network and meet people ius valuable for potential future job opportunities, collaboration etc.
What advice would you give to recent graduates entering the job market?
For those entering the job market, I would say apply for any roles you have half an interest in. By writing a CV and a cover letter, as well as getting interview experience, will help you the more you do it, the better equipped you'll be for when the job you really want comes available.
Are there any professional qualifications or certifications you'd recommend pursuing?
For students currently studying, I would suggest gaining experience and qualifications where possible, whether that's volunteering, completing as much CPD as possible, or going on a part-time placement, it all helps you prepare for when you enter the job market to be as experienced as possible. I would specifically look at getting as many qualifications in anything related to the field you want to go down. For me, I was looking at teaching, coaching or sports development. I did many level 1 coaching courses in a range of sports, football, athletics, rugby, tennis etc. I also recommend any Disability qualifications, Disability Sports Wales offer free Level 1 courses, and cheap courses for Level 2 and 3. I also completed CPD in Racism in Sport, Mental Health Awareness in sport, Inclusive sport, and generic CPD like presenting and media workshops.
Where do you see the biggest career opportunities in the field of sport and exercise right now?
Major sporting events are beginning to come to the UK once again, such as Euro 2028, Commonwealth Games, Tour De France Grand Depart, which increases job opportunities within sports, and sports development, as well as logistics, performance and so on.
What would you tell someone considering a degree at Bangor University?
I would say do it! I don't regret my decision to go to Bangor one bit, it was definitely the right decision for me. There are expert lecturers, extra-curricular opportunities and general support available, ready for life after you graduate!