1. Degree Plus: Improving your employability prospects whilst at University Chris Cutforth - Senior lecturer (Sport) - Sheffield Hallam University Chair, European Sports Development Network (ESDN)

2. Presentation structure Facts and figures about sports industry Job roles and opportunities What employers are looking for BUCS employability research findings Examples of best practice Advice to help you plan for your future

3. Working in Sport in the UK - Key facts There are 371,800 people working in the sport and recreation industry in the UK, together with a significant number of volunteers. 41% of the workforce is employed full‐time, 48% part‐time and 11% self‐employed. Around 32% of the workforce is aged 16‐24 year olds; this is higher than the 14% recorded across the UK workforce as a whole.

4. Jobs and careers in sport Sports Development Officer Club/Coach Development Officer Community Sports Development Officer Professional Athlete Sports Physiotherapist Team Doctor Strength and Conditioning Coach Coach educators Psychologist Biomechanist Dietician Nutritionist Coach/Activity Leader Official (club, county, regional, national, international) Recreation/leisure assistant Sports/leisure manager Events manager Groundskeepers Stewards PE teachers https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobfamily/Pages/sportleisureandtourism.aspx

5. BUCS research findings - students Graduates who participated in sport at university earn an average £5,824 (18 per cent) more per year than their non-sporting counterparts For graduates who take part in sport and undertake volunteering activity related to sport the difference in annual household income is even higher, a further premium of £2,704 per annum Graduates who had also been involved in the organisation and management of university sport reported that this experience had the greatest impact on developing key skills for employability. They were also the least likely to have encountered a period of unemployment in their career than other groups Graduates who did no sport and no other extra-curricular activities at university were amongst the lowest earners, and were the most likely to have had periods of unemployment 27% of graduates who did not play sport at university have experienced a period of unemployment at some point in their career, compared with just 21 per cent of those who did participate in sport

6. BUCS research findings - employers More than 9 in 10 employers recognise the benefits of sport in developing career- enhancing qualities Graduate employers were overwhelmingly positive about the benefits of graduates having engaged in sport whilst at University and the skills and strengths that this would bring them in applying to jobs at their organisation Many employers actively looked for mention of engagement in sport on graduates' job applications Academic qualifications and subject specific skills were deemed necessary, but the 'soft skills' such as behaviours, qualities and attitudes developed through sport were deemed equally as important by many employers A wide range of positive attributes were listed by employers as being developed through sport including, amongst many others, team working, communication skills, motivation, competitiveness and resilience

7. BUCS research findings - employers Many employers revealed that sport was a part of their workplace culture and therefore graduates who continued to participate in sport throughout their career could develop their employability even further Within the workplace sport was seen to provide networking opportunities and continued development of team working skills, as well as good health and wellbeing It was stated consistently by employers that leadership positions, organisational roles and other positions of responsibility within sports clubs and societies were particularly beneficial in providing 'added value' for graduate employability Employers emphasised that it would not be enough for graduates to simply list playing sport on an application form, but rather they are looking for graduates to be able to demonstrate the employability skills and attributes that they have developed through sport. Some graduates sell themselves short by not doing this as well as they might

8. "I think that what you get from sport is teamwork, application, prioritisation of time, and commitment - these are things that are valued by employers. Sport therefore has a number of dimensions that make our students more attractive to employers".

9. Cultural skills and awareness Value of intercultural skills in the workplace Value of intercultural skills in the workplace

10. Learning from best practice Volunteering programmes Internships Event volunteering Career mentoring schemes Create opportunities for yourselves!

11. Working in sport It's fun and rewarding - a 'people business' But... Sport is political Constant change/uncertainty/volatility Key skills: - Resilience - Flexibility - Innovation and creativity - Commitment to learning - Continuous improvement Professionalism

12. Any Questions????

13. Useful Websites http://www.careers-in-sport.co.uk/ https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/a dvice/planning/jobfamily/Pages/sportleisurea ndtourism.aspx https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/a dvice/planning/jobfamily/Pages/sportleisurea ndtourism.aspx