CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES Read student and graduate case studies from the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
The breadth of teaching. Also, being able to participate in a competition called ‘Dragon’s Den’. Applying for the Dragon’s Den competition involved outlining the business concept, reasons for wanting to set this up and the ways in which we felt it would enhance the student experience (e.g. healthier food, improving student health and wellbeing, providing opportunities for students to work and demonstrate their nutrition related skills etc.).
Beau Waugh graduated in 2018 with a BSc in Community Nutrition and now works as a nutritionist for Pinpoint Nutrition
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What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
Volunteer where possible and be willing to work for free in return for experience, always be polite (you never know who you are speaking with), approach working opportunities with an intention of giving rather than receiving and work hard. People around you will notice. You can’t expect extraordinary results without putting in extraordinary amounts of effort, both externally and by working on yourself. It’s up to you to make it happen.
Three things you like about your job:
Secondly, we were required to pitch against four other competitors by giving a 10-minute presentation to influential figures within the University and Liverpool community.
Advising clients how to adopt healthier eating behaviours. Providing support and guidance to clients to help them to achieve their health related goals. Using nutrition principles, up-to-date evidence and experience to support and guide clients to achieve their health related goals.
The process was invaluable. As intense as it was, it caused us to hone our organisational skills. It also taught us how to manage our time efficiently (most of the time) as well as to communicate effectively to and across a broad spectrum of groups and individuals in order to market, delegate, sell and ultimately win the Dragons Den. It also taught us to dig deep and to develop a solid work ethic. It was absolutely knackering. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Make tactical manoeuvres by placing yourself into unfamiliar situations that will stretch you (e.g. networking events, volunteering, getting in amongst people who you think are smarter than you etc.). It’s through these experiences that you grow and develop in confidence and which will ultimately bring out the best in you. “There is no growth in comfort” (Beau Waugh, 2019). Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? Nothing. I absolutely nailed it! Any other advice you would give to students about their employability? Become crystal clear on what it is you’re aiming for, remove distraction and pursue at full force. Think and focus on your “why”; as in why is it that you are choosing this path? The what and how to do it will follow.
2CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE & CASE STUDIES
What does your job involve?
NUTRITIONJOINTHELJMU
❙ Being able to help clients to become happier and healthier. ❙ The autonomy and creativity that the role provides. ❙ Finally, I love food!
What relevant skills did you use during the selection process?
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Half an hour interview – introduced myself with a short personal statement, questions about communication skills, strengths/ weaknesses, asked a question to test my ability to think on the spot and nutrition knowledge.
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? I received help on my cover letter and CV. I had a few minor mistakes that I hadn’t noticed, which they helped me fix.
Research skills – 8 week summer studentship with the Nutrition Society, where I got to try doing my own research with a supervisor from LJMU. Communication – presentation skills from presenting my studentship research, social media skills I have from a class on future challenges of nutrition, engaging in the modelled WHO assembly in London, presenting at the Student conference held at LJMU. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Try a bunch of different things, you can learn and gain skills from any job! I have found that using social media, especially Twitter has been very helpful. By connecting with people in the field of nutrition will help you see different topics, show that you are interested in the field by discussing with other professionals. Other tips could be: ❙ Get registered (ANutr) with the Association for Nutrition ❙ Writing outside of university for other nutrition professionals/NHD magazine you can write for them ❙ Join Facebook groups like: UK Nutrition Writers etc. If you are interested in showcasing your writing skills ❙ Engage with the free continued professional development that groups such as the BNF and AfN provide online Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would have started volunteering earlier in my first year. Although I worked in a coffee shop in my first year, which gave me a lot of skills (customer service, time management, leadership skills), I wish I had done something additional that was a little more relevant to NGO work and volunteering. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? In our third year we had a class called Nutrition Future Challenges, which challenged us to use communication skills to communicate evidencebased science to the lay audience by making videos, infographics and articles. This is exactly what I have been doing working at EUFIC. Any other advice you would give to students about their employability? Not necessarily about employability but putting yourself out there. If you don’t try you won’t know. There have been many instances where I was reluctant to send in an application or try because I thought I wouldn’t get it. I never expected to get the nutrition society studentship, win a grant to attend FENS2019 with the Nutrition Society and I definitely never expected to get an internship within science communication at EUFIC. For an introvert like myself, it can be hard sometimes to put yourself out there, but it is so worth it and you learn immensely from it.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
Preparation: I asked the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to look over my cover letter and CV before sending it in.
What will your job/graduate scheme involve?
❙ Not all interns get to travel but I have been quite lucky with my project, traveling to the Netherlands and Germany. I have also been given the opportunity to join multiple one-day events in Brussels and report back to my team.
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BETH BRADSHAW, MSC PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION GRADUATE In such a competitive graduate job market, simply graduating with a degree does not guarantee you a job within your desired career path. You have to show that you have the initiative to seek unpaid voluntary work within your field. Don’t leave it until your final year to start really thinking seriously about your career and life after university. Most importantly, make the most of all the career support, guidance and advice LJMU offers.
❙ Wrote a 500-word essay explaining a new paper to a lay audience with the style of EUFIC writing ❙ Preparation: I had one day to write the word essay and received the topic in the morning, so I couldn’t prepare before-hand.
❙ The fact that I’m learning on the job everyday on how to manage projects, write engaging and impactful social media posts and staying up-to-date on nutrition research.
❙ I really like project management and having the overall view of what is going on in a project. As I have started to get familiar with the projects, my line manager has also give me more of the responsibility.
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Three things you like about your job:
Preparation: I had a discussion with Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team about what to expect and then I watched a couple of youtube videos about how to prepare for Skype calls, as they can sometimes be different than face-to-face interviews. I practiced a few days before and on the day.
I sent a one-page cover letter and CV where I highlighted reasons, I wanted to work for EUFIC, my skills and what I could bring to the organisation.
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Cathrine Baungaard graduated with a degree in nutrition in 2019 and is now a food and health science trainee at the European Food Information Council
GRADUATE FEEDBACK ...
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3CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
It involves the day-to-day management of EU funded projects. Currently I work on PROTEIN2FOOD and support on FIT4FOOD2030. Within these projects I help deliver the communications of the research being conducted within the projects. This includes creating infographics, animated videos, webinars and setting up events and conferences. I also work on EUFIC specific content by creating social media posts (I was recently the health and science team person responsible with the communication team to develop social media posts for our healthy living campaign which lasted from August to October). I also do research and write articles for EUFIC’s website e.g. I recently wrote one about seasonal fruit and vegetables and whether tomatoes are fruits or Thenvegetables.thereis the day to day management of answering emails, contacting suppliers/designers, understanding budget. I’ve learned a lot from my internship and traineeship in project management skills, how to engage with different European partners and stakeholders, juggle multiples tasks, developed my creative writing, web development and social media management skills.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
Tell us three things you like about your job:
❙ The opportunity to make a difference for young people ❙ Flexible way of working that supports a fantastic work/life balance ❙ Pro-active, innovative organisation that is committed to doing things differently in a very traditional business sector. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
A combination of experience and qualifications is essential in the sector I work in. Demonstrate flexibility in your skills, research the organisation you wish to work for and be prepared for any interview process. Commit to a high standard and professionally constructed CV that is concise and to the point. Build your experience, and don’t be afraid to volunteer; most of the coaching team at Manchester City, both in our Academy and in the Foundation, started their career as a volunteer. Organisations that work under a large and well known brand need to develop trust in their workforce, and volunteering is an excellent way to demonstrate your commitment. Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
Tell us about your job: I manage the operations for Manchester City Football Club’s Foundation, City in the Community. The Foundation has existed for 30 years, working in disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester, delivering football inspired inclusive projects that aim to promote health and education benefits.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY GRADUATE CASE STUDY
Kyle Lenaghan is a sport development with physical education graduate who now works as Academy Director for Global Premier Soccer in America
I lead the Academy Programme in East North Carolina; overseeing the 60 players aged U8-U10. My role is to coordinate the programme; coaching all of the players in both practices and games, developing their skills and ability to begin playing competitively at U11.
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What does your job involve?
The Foundation has over 100 employees, works in over 150 schools and engaged with close to 40,000 young people in 2017/2018. I manage a team of managers responsible for the delivery of sport development projects, I manage our safeguarding commitments and am a member of the senior leadership team which drives the strategy and direction of the Foundation in line with Manchester City’s strategic objectives.
Dawn Bracegirdle is a sport development and physical education graduate who now works as Operations Manager for City in the Community at Manchester City Football Club
Tell us three things you like about your job: ❙ Coaching the players ❙ Being surrounded by like-minded coaches ❙ The respectful environment created by the parents and players in America What did the application process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The application process began with sending off a CV, which I had updated as part of a module at university, followed by a Skype interview, an induction weekend at St. Georges Park, Skype meeting with the Director of Coaching for Carolina, then finally flying out to the US. I had to research the company, complete a number of session plans, and deliver them at interview/induction.
Consider your skill set and don’t be afraid to work on your areas for development. Putting yourself in situations that challenge you will improve your confidence and ensure you are prepared for most situations. Remain up to date and current in your knowledge. Professional sport is a rapidly changing industry that demands constant commitment to ensure you are performing to the highest possible standards. Getting the job is just the start; to keep it and to continue to progress, don’t be afraid of challenging the way things are done if you can see a better way of taking things forward.
What relevant work experience/ skills activities did you use during the selection process?
I continued to volunteer with Liverpool Homeless Football Club which was originally a placement in second year arranged by the University which gave me a lot of experience. I was also a volunteer coach at EitC, Assistant Coordinator of the LJMU Men’s Football Development League and a Futsal coach at Liverpool College (another placement provided by the university).
PHYSICAL EDUCATION SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Make the most of the opportunities provided by the university regarding placements, the experience I gained from placements helped me a lot. Network as much as possible with people and employers in the sector you want to work in. Create those professional relationships whilst you are at university as you never know what opportunities may arise for you when you get your degree.
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SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 5CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES Meet your future employer or get clarity on your future direction &EMPLOYABILITYCAREERS,START-UP EVENTS To see what’s coming up, go to: studentfutures.ljmu.ac.uk Events include: ❙ Careers and employability sessions ❙ Start-Up events and meet-ups ❙ Employer events ❙ Recruitment fairs ❙ Guest speakers
Initially, I applied with my CV and covering letter outlining why I believed I suited the criteria that the FA were after. Following this, I was invited for a phone interview with the Head of Performance Services. This lasted around 20-25 minutes. After successfully passing this stage, I was then invited to St. Georges Park, the home of the National Football Centre where I had to complete 3 different tasks that could not be prepared for over a 4-hour face to face interview process.
Please tell us more about your PhD study and your field of research?
❙ We work with the best footballers in our country at their respective age and some of the best in the world.
❙ We can directly influence the nutritional strategies of our players in an attempt to fuel and recover effectively from the demands of international and tournament football.
What other work experience did you do?
I volunteered at all the open days I could for the School of Sport and Exercise Science. I volunteered my Saturday mornings to gain experience at St Helens Rugby League club for a full season as well as carrying on my applied placement module within the university for a full season.
James Morehen completed a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science followed by an MSc in Sports Physiology.
He is now studying for a PhD in Sports Nutrition whilst working as a performance nutritionist.
I am a full time employee at England Football with the FA, and I am employed as a performance nutritionist to the sixteen national football teams. My two colleagues and I are developing and implementing strategic performance nutrition support to all 16 national England football teams across both the men’s and women’s pathways for over 500 players. This includes working within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) of medics, physiotherapists and physical performance coaches as well as working closely with key stakeholders who influence the nutrition support to our players, for example performance chefs, airlines and overseas hotel support staff and chefs. I also work with private athletes and clients.
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
Be willing to go the extra mile, volunteer your time and learn from people you respect in the industry. Always reflect on what went well, bad and indifferent and if you do not have a mentor then get one. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year again?
I will continue to work with England Football with an overall aim of supporting the Senior Men’s squad at a World Cup. I will continue to launch my own private consultancy business, to include a mentorship programme for future practitioners and a consultancy option for those seeking out nutritional education to improve individual goals.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
❙ Working with such a wide and professional MDT, I can constantly reflect every day and as such am on a continual path of learning and developing for the better.
What does your job role involve?
My PhD has researched into the anthropometric profiles of professional rugby league players, particularly assessing how body composition profiles develop through academy players into senior players and then how this may change during the pre-season phase. We have also investigated how the physical demands of the game, for example distance covered and physical collisions, cause elevations in blood markers of damage and inflammation.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
Three things you like about your job:
Offer to help out on any MSc or PhD research projects. Get experience in any industry that you are thinking about so that you can have firsthand exposure and decide if it’s for you. Go for a coffee with those you respect to ask them what it is really like!
The applied modules allowed me to gain some real first-hand experience with athletes. Supporting this, the strength and conditioning internship allowed me to see if a career in S and C was for me, but also provided me with raw coaching experience with athletes. Completing a viva whilst on the MSc programme was a huge insight into what it can be like to be ‘grilled’ when working in professional sport in terms of knowing the fundamentals of what you are talking about but also how this may be applied to the elite athletes.
SPORTSTUDYAND SCIENCE AND SCIENCE AND
GRADUATE CASE
The title of my PhD was: ‘Growing, Building and Repairing Elite Rugby Players: Nutritional & Energetic Considerations’. During my research, I worked with five different clubs and 239 professional rugby players. I carried out five different studies.
Please tell us more about the career path which you intend to follow in the future after completing your PhD study?
EXERCISE
FOOTBALL SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 6 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 7CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
The careers and employability advisers at the Careers Zone helped clarify my potential routes into teaching, pointed me in the right direction to arrange my experience and helped with my personal statement and the UCAS process.
Please tell us about your current job role and what this involves: My current job role is a Teacher of Physical Education at Wirral Grammar School for Girls. During my NQT year (starting September 2019), I will be delivering Key Stage 3 PE, Year 10, 11 and 12 Core PE and GCSE Dance. During the winter term, I will be required to deliver lessons in sports such as netball, handball, volleyball, tag rugby, dance, gymnastics and fitness. During the winter term, I will be required to deliver sports such as rounders, tennis, cricket and athletics. In addition to timetabled lessons, I will be leading and assisting in extra-curricular activities at lunchtimes and after school and attending fixtures and tournaments, both during weekdays and weekends. My role also consists of being a Year 7 form tutor, which I will share with another colleague. You completed the Schools Direct route through Weatherhead Teaching School Alliance. Please tell us more about what this involved, and also about the PGCE course which you studied as part of your training : Schools Direct is different to the typical PGCE route in that you are in school from this first day in September, including INSET days. For me, this allowed me to feel like a member of staff from day one! I was also required to complete an induction week at LJMU in the last week of August. This prepared me for the first few weeks of my training.
The PGCE element of the course is completed through LJMU. During Phase 1, each Friday is spent at LJMU. This consists of lectures, workshops and subject specific training. There are also three subject knowledge enhancement weeks hosted by LJMU which you attend throughout your training- one in October, February and May. The PGCE element consisted of three assignments: two reflective critical analyses and triangulation. As an Initial Teacher Training student, you work towards your triangulation throughout the year, collecting evidence towards the eight teacher standards. (Triangulation is a process by which a teacher collects evidence about students’ learning).
Training is completed in phases: Phase 1 (September- October half term); Phase 2a (October half term to Christmas break), Phase 2b (January to February half term); Phase 3 (February – June). Phase 1, Phase 2a and Phase 3 are completed at your home school and Phase 2b is completed at an alternate placement school. For me, my home school was Wirral Grammar School for Girls and I completed my alternate placement at Weatherhead High School. Throughout the duration of your training you are expected to solo teach, team teach and observe qualified teachers. As you progress through your Initial Teacher Training, the number of lessons you solo teach gradually increases (from 1-15 lessons) and the number of lessons you team teach and observe decreases. For every week of the course, each trainee is off timetable on a Wednesday afternoon. This time is spent participating in training sessions at Weatherhead High School or The Mosslands School. Additionally, there are numerous Continuous Professional Development days that are led by Weatherhead. You are required to attend these sessions as they are extremely beneficial.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zone from members of the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team, when you were at LJMU?
What kind of work experience or employment did you do before starting the Schools Direct Programme? How did this experience help you get onto this course? Before I could even consider applying, I gained as much school experience as I could. This included the placement I completed as part of the Applied Sport and Exercise Science module, participating in an A Level PE mentoring scheme (an opportunity which I obtained via LJMU) and arranging my own experience in both secondary and primary schools. Most Initial Teacher Training institutions state that a minimum of 10 days of school experience is a mandatory entry requirement, however I gained approximately 50 days of school experience. I also completed and passed my profession skills tests prior to application. This may seem excessive, however, applying for teacher training is competitive (especially for those applying to teach PE) and more experience gives you more to talk about in your application and at interview. Additionally, before I applied, I completed a day of experience at Weatherhead High School through the School Experience Programme. This provided me with the opportunity to meet the Schools Direct lead at Weatherhead Teaching School Alliance to find out more about the course and make a good first impression!
Do you have any advice for current students who wish to go into teaching? Get as much experience as you can! Whether you wish to go into primary or secondary, get experience in both. Not only does this look good on your application, it allows you to ensure that you have made the right decision. Also, try to get experience in a variety of schools: every school, year group, class and pupil is completely unique. Would you do anything differently if you were a first year student again? I would start arranging my school experience earlier. I didn’t begin looking for experience until this end of my second year. This resulted in a bit of a panic in getting enough experience for the entry requirements, prior to applying via UCAS. I would advise current students (who are thinking about going into teaching) to save yourself this stress and to start looking for teaching experience as early as possible. Also, make sure that you take every opportunity given to you at LJMU.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
Which kind of skills and qualities do you think are needed to become a teacher? There is not an exhaustive list of skills and qualities needed to become a teacher, but there are some that most highly effective teachers have in common. First of all, teachers need to be willing to learn. Teachers never stop learning, whether that be advice and feedback from colleagues (even beyond your Initial Teacher Training) or from your pupils, you must be willing to take this on board to keep improving and refining your practice. Consequently, this means that teachers need to be highly reflective and ask questions such as; ‘what went well?’ or ‘could that have been even better there had been a different lesson plan? Additionally, teachers need to be organised and planning is key! Teachers must also be adaptable as you can never fully predict what is going to happen in the classroom. Furthermore, teachers need to have humility and they should be patient, enthusiastic and compassionate. It is important to be a good communicator and be able to work as part of a team. Confidence and the ability to be able to deal with conflict is also key. Finally, I believe that one of the most important qualities a highly effective teacher needs is passion. Teachers require passion for their subject, in order to inspire and instil this passion into their students. Passion is the catalyst which allows students to enjoy learning, work hard and continue to study. There is no denying that teaching is hard, however, it is such a rewarding career. What did the application and interview process involve for the Schools Direct Programme and how did you prepare for each stage? I chose to apply at Weatherhead based on this and also due to the fantastic reputation of the School and the alliance schools. I applied for the Schools Direct Programme at Weatherhead Teaching School Alliance through UCAS in October 2017 and was invited to interview at the start of November 2019. Again, PE teacher training places are competitive, so it is best to get your application in as quick as possible. The interview took place at Weatherhead High School and lasted from 9am- 3pm. As part of the interview process, I had to undertake multiple activities on the day including: a 5-minute presentation on the subject of ‘what makes an outstanding lesson?’ I also had to prepare a 30 minute lesson, a formal lesson observation and a formal interview. I was offered a place on the day of the interview, which of course, I accepted. Prior to starting the course in September 2018, all trainees were required to complete 10 days of experience at their home school and attend an induction day.
Chloe Callan completed a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and now works as a teacher of physical education at Wirral Grammar School for Girls.
Why did you decide to apply for your PhD?
Please tell us about the previous work experience which you have completed and how this has helped you?
You can download a copy of the guide from the ‘online guides and resources’ page of the Student Futures website: www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
What did the application process involve for the PhD?
My PhD project title is “Examining intramuscular substrate utilization and the underlying mechanisms in response to exercise and recovery”. My PhD is made up of four research projects, one completed during the MPhil, two ongoing and one to be started in my final year. The first study examines energy sources used in a race situation whilst comparing two different microscopy methods, whereas my second study is examining energy sources used during two typical training sessions. My third study will examine the effect of carbohydrate restriction during recovery, and my final study will examine the effect of a pharmacological intervention to promote carbohydrate and fat used to enhance the adaptive response to exercise. Together, these studies will allow me to use a variety of techniques and provide novel information, demonstrating the importance of energy sources from muscular stores in moderately active to elite individuals. From this knowledge we can attempt to maximize the adaptive response to exercise through nutritional strategies.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones? During my undergraduate degree they really helped me write my CV and how to structure a cover letter. This was very valuable as it helped me write out my applications for postgraduate study, placements and my part time employment.
I am hoping to stay in research and do a post-doctoral research position and then in the long term I would like to become a lecturer.
During my undergraduate degree I was always interested in physiology and as I moved through the degree programme I got to focus on this more.
As I started as an MPhil student, my supervisor and I put in applications for funding throughout the year so I could continue my research and transfer through to PhD. Although not successful at first, we did manage to find funding and I was able to continue my studies! I then had to complete an MPhil transfer report and viva. However, not all PhD applications go this way and during the time where I had no funding I did get to experience other application processes. I was interviewed for two other PhDs at separate universities. For one I had to write an essay before the interview as well and although I didn’t end up taking either of the positions after being offered them both, going through that interview process and writing an academic CV was a really valuable experience.
How have you benefited from, career research, membership of professional bodies, involvement in Student Union activities?
I found membership of professional bodies such as The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), was really useful to follow new research areas and is very student friendly. With my BASES membership I received a magazine every few months with some interesting articles from a variety of different academics and applied practitioners. They also had book discounts which was great when I was managing on a student budget!
What are you your plans after finishing your PhD?
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again? Yes, I would have gone to see the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team earlier than I did as speaking to them really helped boost my confidence when thinking about what I wanted to do after my degree.
During my undergraduate degree I completed a few placements, some were within the university itself whilst some were arranged by the university but were external. In total I completed four placements throughout my degree, three in the environmental chambers (which built on my knowledge each time) and one for Sale Sharks as a nutritionist for their academy players. I also gained experience through helping in the laboratories and being a participant in studies myself. This in the end was essential as it allowed me to realise my love for research and influenced my decision to swap from a taught MSc to an MPhil.
Originally, following my degree I wanted to do a taught MSc programme but then in the summer after my degree I helped out with a PhD student’s study in the laboratory and this helped me realise my love for research! I then decided I wanted to do an MPhil instead of an MSc and went from there!
Students who are applying for job opportunities within the science or healthcare sector are increasingly likely to face multiple mini interviews (MMIs) as part of the recruitment process.
Please tell us about what your PhD involves?
MINI INTERVIEWS
With regards to the Students’ Union, I found joining sports teams and societies a really influential part of my university experience. I was part of LJMU swim team throughout my undergraduate degree and being able to represent the university in competition was great! As a postgraduate I don’t have much to do with the sports teams and societies, though this academic year I have been the Postgraduate Research Faculty of Science Representative for John Moores Students’ Union (JMSU) which has allowed me to stay involved and provide feedback to the JMSU on postgraduate student life.
Find out more about what they are and how best to negotiate them in our handy mini guide on the topic.
Emily Jevons graduated from BSc Sport and Exercise Science in 2016 and is now studying for a PhD in Exercise Metabolism.
MINI GUIDE SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
8 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
POSTGRADUATE CASE MULTIPLESTUDY
Which relevant work experience did you draw on during the interview process for this job? During my Masters I was able to complete a placement within the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital within cardiac rehabilitation. This placement gave me the necessary experience of working within the healthcare setting and I was able to draw on this experience when answering questions during the interview process for Nuffield Health.
In particular, it was the experience of face-to-face communication with patients in the hospital that I was able to draw on during the interview.
What does your job involve?
The most valuable areas from my university programmes were the guest speakers and the placement opportunity.
My main duties within this role involve the completion of health assessments which include venepuncture, body composition analysis, blood pressure monitoring, resting ECG, spinal assessment and spirometry. In addition, some clients may complete an aerobic fitness test or an Exercise ECG. My additional duties include the general running of the health clinic such as answering client calls, clerical duties and running a laboratory to analyse clients’ bloods.
During my time at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital I learnt how to talk to people with empathy and I learnt that each individual person was different and I needed to talk to each individual in a different way, in order to encourage him or her to engage with me. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I always advise students that I have contact with to make the most of their time at university by using the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to strengthen their CVs and cover letters. I would also advise students to ensure that they gain as much experience within the real world, through placements or volunteering. Not only does this give you valuable experience to talk about in applications and job interviews but it also gets your face out there which is sometimes enough on its own to gain you a potential job. Which aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
Please list three things which you like about your job:
What did the application and interview process involve for this job and how did you prepare for each stage?
James McMahon graduated from BSc Sport and Exercise Science in 2015 and MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2016. He now works as a health and wellbeing physiologist for Nuffield Health.
30.2 4 15 Facts and figures GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL
SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 9CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
❙ The completion of clinical tests such as ECG and spirometry ❙ Completing exercise ECG tests ❙ The completion of venepuncture and its subsequent analysis within the laboratory.
SPORT
percentage of 2018 UK sport science graduates in full-time further study or a combination of work and study six months after graduation (source: What Do Graduates Do 2018/19) is the minimum amount of weeks’ work experience in a UK secondary school which LJMU currently require applicants to have before they apply to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Secondary PE Teaching. This work experience needs to be in place before application. In reality many applicants may have more than four weeks’ experience in a school. percentage of applicants who applied to The Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology in 2018 who gained a place on a Doctorate Course in Clinical Psychology. OF AND EXERCISE
The application process was very long but it was also well structured as I feel it allowed for the applicant to show of a number of different attributes to help him or her stand out more against other potential applicants. My original application for the role of an academy health and wellbeing physiologist with Nuffield Health began with a cover letter. Following this I completed a telephone interview and finally after this I was invited to attend the assessment day. At the assessment day I completed five different assessments – a clinical interview, operational interview, role play scenario, group presentation and a theory exam. I was not provided with much information prior to the assessment day on what to expect so the main way I prepared was by brushing up on my notes from my Masters course which helped with the clinical interview, group presentation and theory exam. For the operational interview and role play scenario I was able to draw on my experience from my placement interview and from my experience working within both retail and tourism. All of these communication skills are transferrable and the most important thing is being able to relate these past experiences to what is being asked of you on the day. What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones from The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team whilst you were a student at LJMU? Whilst at LJMU I gained advice originally from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team in relation to the direction that I should head in, following the completion of my undergraduate degree. I always knew I wanted to complete an MSc in a physiology related field but I was torn between choosing the clinical route or the sport route. Following my discussions with advisers from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team, this opened my eyes and made it clear what direction I truly had a passion for. During my Masters I made use of the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team again as one of the advisers checked through a cover letter which I was able to subsequently use to cement my job with Nuffield Health.
I would recommend that you gain as much experience as you can, showing you are willing to go above and beyond will go in your favour. You need to show you have been able to apply your studies in the field. It can be as simple as providing performance analysis for any the university sports teams.
It is necessary to have a good understanding of football and the ability to convey a message in its simplest form. It is also important to have strong interpersonal skills.
Which other job roles did you do prior to your current job, which helped you end up in your current position?
GRADUATE
Within our team we take an innovative and player centered approach to player development providing visual analysis of players’ technical and tactical ability as well as statistical feedback to aid each individual’s development. This is then reinforced with technical and tactical training sessions, which focus on different aspects of the coaching curriculum, and are reviewed in one to one meetings and groups discussions.
What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process?
What kind of skills do you need to be a performance analyst?
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team whilst you were a student at LJMU? They gave me support in building my CV for the first time and advice about potential opportunities to gain work experience. What advice would you give to current students who wish to improve their employability? Are there any tips that you would give to students who hope to pursue a career as a performance analyst?
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I did work experience in other football and rugby clubs alongside my studies to gain experience in an elite environment.
I had the opportunity in my third year to do voluntary work at Sale Sharks. This gave me experience in filming, using top analysis industry software and gave me an understanding of the environment and how the performance analysts develop players. The lecturers encouraged you to be proactive to go gain experience as they know what is takes to work in the industry.
Please list three things which you like about your job:
During the selection process, my work experience at Everton in the Community aided my understanding of sports development and how community trusts work, whilst my work experience at Blackburn Rovers gave me a greater knowledge of how a professional football club operates. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Gain as much work experience as you can. Unfortunately it isn’t just what you know, it is who you know! If you apply for a job, visit the company and show your face. Always go for any available extra courses or qualifications. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?
Become involved experiencevolunteering/workinmuchsooner.The more contacts you gain and know well, the more chance of getting a job out of it! What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? Guest lectures proved to be really useful, allowing me to network and make contacts even before my degree was finished!
Christopher Mullen is a Science and Football graduate who now works for Accrington Stanley Community Trust as a sport development officer CASE www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? My application involved sending a CV and covering letter relating to the role and responsibilities of the job. After visiting the offices off my own back to introduce myself to some of the staff, I gained an interview where I had to complete a presentation and coaching session based on sports development. I prepared by researching the Trust and its programmes, whilst my coaching session was based on FA coaching badges.
GRADUATE
Please tell us about any work experience or placements which you did, whilst at university which helped you to enhance your employability?
Natasha Patel has previously studied a BSc Sport and Exercise Science at LJMU (and an MRes in Performance Analysis at another university). She now works as the head of performance analysis at New York Red Bulls after previously undertaking a similar role at Southampton Football Club. CASE STUDY
I oversee the strategy of all performance analysis activity within the Club, ensuring that as a Club we are constantly pushing boundaries to be at the forefront of all developments within analysis.
❙ I enjoy working within a challenging and supportive environment.
STUDY SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
❙ I get to watch football for a living.
❙ I like being able to be a part of staff and player development.
What does your work in performance analysis involve?
What would you do differently if you were a first-year student again?
What will this course involve?
Phil Pierce is a Sport and Exercise Science graduate who is now studying Medicine and Surgery MB BS Hons at Newcastle University
I always had an interest in medicine but I never thought that I was focused enough when I was younger to apply for and finish the course. Once I had completed my sport science degree, worked for a few years and gained some maturity and valuable life experience, I realised that I had to go for it and make an amazing career for myself.
NB: Science graduates would usually apply for the four-year course but Phil has obtained a place on the five-year course.
The application process for medicine requires a lot of extracurricular weight and does not just go on academics alone. Taking on work placements in hospitals showed the universities that I had a genuine interest in medicine, while being involved in clubs and taking part in different activities showed them that I had a wide range of skills and interests, along with the attributes that it takes to become a good doctor.
What did the application and selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The application process may involve taking a BMAT, GAMSAT or UKCAT exam (depending on the universities and course you are applying for).
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Sophie Carter completed a PhD about the effects of sitting on cerebrovascular and cognitive function at LJMU in 2019 and is now a lecturer at York St John University
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How have you benefited from previous work experience, career research, membership of professional bodies etc? I benefited massively from work and life experience and I would say it was one of the major factors which led to me being offered a place on the course.
Why did you decide to apply for the medicine course?
The course is a five-year medicine and surgery course that will teach me the underlying medical knowledge that I need to become a doctor, along with clinical skills through hospital placements and patient interaction in order to fully prepare me for the world of medicine once I graduate and throughout my career.
Your end grade does matter and your attitude towards work is noted when it comes to becoming employed, so I would advise students to put as much effort in as they can because it really does make life a lot easier when it comes to being employed.
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? I genuinely believe that I may not have been offered a place in medical school if it wasn’t for the support I got from one of the career advisers at the Careers Zone. I asked her for help with my application and she was great throughout the whole process. From helping me with my written application and personal statement, to finding out potential questions that Newcastle interviewers could ask and then giving me a mock interview, she played a vital role in my success.
I am going to be a first-year student again (albeit a lot older) and I am going to do some things differently. I am going to take advantage of the clubs and activities that the university has to offer, along with the help that is offered for the course. Also I will make a very conscious effort to improve my time management and not leave all things to the last minute. I am also going to utilise any help that the university and lecturers can give me from day one to help me succeed and give me an advantage once I have graduated. You find that there is a lot of competition for most things that you do, and the easier you can make things for yourself, the better.
Why did you decide to apply for PhD study? My MSc by dissertation allowed me to design and conduct two independent research projects which was a process I thoroughly enjoyed (Sophie studied a BSc Sport and Exercise Science followed by her MSc at the University of Essex). Following this, I knew I wanted to stay working within research, therefore taking on a PhD was the next logical step to form a career in this area. What did the application process involve for your PhD? My PhD was advertised online, and I applied via a CV and covering letter. I was offered to attend an interview at LJMU, where I delivered a ten minute presentation on my research experience to date in front of the PhD supervisory team, and this was followed by questions from the supervisors. I was fortunate to be offered the position later that day. What does your current job role involve? I am now a senior lecturer in the School of Sport at York St John University. This role involves carrying out teaching and research activities within the discipline of Sport and Exercise Science. My main teaching responsibility lies in the area of sport and exercise physiology and I supervise students at undergraduate and Masters level. I am also director of the Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Research Group, where I design and conduct research projects investigating how physical activity and exercise training can promote and maintain cardiovascular health. I also investigate how inactivity and sedentary behaviours can influence cardiovascular health. How have you benefited from previous work experience? When studying for my undergraduate degree I completed two work experience placements; one at the University Sports Centre and one at the University’s Human Performance Unit. My work experience at the Sports Centre developed my communication and confidence skills, as I interacted with a range of clients. This allowed me to secure full-time employment which enabled me to fund my MSc degree. My time working at the Human Performance Unit allowed me to further development my competencies in a range of physiological testing protocols and I was fortunate to assist in the testing of professional athletes during this time. The skills and confidence I gained during these placements assisted me in gaining my PhD and my subsequent employment.
Gaining some work experience in a medical or healthcare setting is also important. I then had to apply through UCAS (the deadline for medical applications is in October instead of January) and then I was invited for an interview at Newcastle University. To prepare for the UKCAT exam, I bought a couple of books and just practised as best as I could until I started to get the hang of the questions. I also attended a ‘Kaplan’ UKCAT course which helped a lot with techniques and shortcuts as the time limits for each question become quite tricky. When I made my UCAS application, I researched what each university was looking for and what previous medical applicants had included. Make sure you have a good personal statement that includes everything important the universities need to know about you. An emphasis on what you have learnt from your medical work experience is key to a successful application. Once I was invited for interview I carried out more research on the university and course itself, along with practising example questions that may come up. My advice to students would be that it is still important to get your personality across, so try not to answer in robot fashion. Having a mock interview also really helped me prepare for the real thing.
During my Masters, the LJMU staff organised sessions where they invited lecturers from other universities, PhD students and relevant companies to inform us regarding their brand new projects. At LJMU I also had the chance to visit a gait laboratory in a rehabilitation centre for children at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, similar to the one which I am working at now.
Overall, I believe my studies at LJMU prepared me to face the challenges in both my jobs and gave me the confidence to be myself. What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process? When I applied to the above jobs I had already been working as a physiotherapist for almost ten years in various rehabilitation fields and I had completed my Masters programme, so I think that this counted in the selection process. I had also done a few presentations at conferences and I had already volunteered in the Special Olympic Games, which all helped. Additionally, I believe that my familiarisation with all the biomechanical equipment that LJMU has, was something that my employers valued.
For my job at AMC College I also went through an interview with the general manager and the programme leader of the BSc in physiotherapy as firstly I was recruited as a lecturer. They also liked the fact that a physiotherapist chose to specialise in biomechanics, which is generally not common in Greece. They needed a lecturer for their biomechanics modules and wanted to further enhance their research in this field.
As a Masters student at LJMU, I worked with state of the art equipment and my dissertation was about the topic of ‘virtual reality rehabilitation’ which is still considered a brand new rehabilitation area. This enhanced my employment prospects.
In the gait laboratory, our team assesses the abnormal gait patterns and the balance disturbances of people with either neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. The final target of our work is to create an extensive report which can enlighten the orthopaedic surgeons or the physiotherapist in order to decide which type of surgery or which exercise protocol meets the patient’s needs. Our team consists of two orthopaedic surgeons, two physiotherapists and a Mybiomechanist.roleistooperate the biomechanical software, filter and analyse the data as to provide the biomechanical aspect in the report. I also have the responsibility to set both short and long term goals in order to meet the deadlines. Additionally, I also see to the maintenance of the equipment. Finally, I have to draw up a monthly report for the general managers.
❙ Instead of waiting for jobs to be advertised, try the speculative approach. Send a tailored CV and cover letter to the companies which you really want to work for. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? The confidence which I acquired in the LJMU laboratories was important as it gave me access to equipment not everyone has the opportunity to practise with. I also had great support from my lecturers at LJMU and thanks to Dr Barton I was first informed about the gait and motion lab of ELEPAP. The reputation which the LJMU academic staff have in the field of biomechanics also meant that my Masters course was valued by prospective employers.
SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 12 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Georgios Gkrimas graduated from the MSc Biomechanics of Gait and Posture in 2012 and now works at a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities, in Greece.
❙ Make sure that you have regular contact with the academic staff as their advice is invaluable.
Finally, the knowledge that I acquired generally in biomechanics (and especially in the assessment of gait, balance and posture) played a major part in helping me to gain the skills for my current job roles.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
At the AMC College I teach the biomechanics and gait and posture modules for the BSc podiatry and physiotherapy and for the MSc physiotherapy. I also have the responsibility of running the podiatry programme and assisting my fellow colleagues who are lecturing in this programme.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
What does your job involve? Please tell us more about your job roles, and the clinic which you work for. I work at ELEPAP, a rehabilitation centre for those with disabilities and the first social charity in Greece. The centre has been striving, since 1937, to offer rehabilitation services to more than 100,000 children with motor disabilities and neurodevelopmental problems, from birth to school age, in its six branches in Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Chania, Volos and Agrinio.
❙ It is useful to attend conferences and courses which are relevant to your field. This is a good opportunity to enhance your knowledge, stay unbiased in new methods and equipment and meet great colleagues from other countries.
Three things you like about your job: ❙ I like assessing and discovering some rare cases in gait patterns. ❙ I am constantly being updated and following international guidelines. ❙ I am in contact with great colleagues from other universities and gait laboratories all over Europe. What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? I had to prepare a CV and a cover letter when I applied to both of the above jobs. For the job at the ELEPAP centre, I went through an interview with the previous biomechanist, the current orthopaedic surgeon and the general manager. They showed a great interest in the Masters programme which I had completed at LJMU, and my dissertation. Even though the other applicants had a PhD in sport biomechanics, the fact that my Masters title and content was in posture and gait ensured my position. The previous biomechanist knew about the research work of the LJMU staff (and specifically the work of the programme leader of my Masters Course Dr Gabor Barton) which confirmed the knowledge that I have acquired from my Masters.
❙ I would recommend the MSc in Biomechanics of Gait and Posture as it offers many job opportunities.
What was the format of your interview? I had a 50 minute interview with a panel of two people. I was asked about ten interview questions and there were no other assessment tests.
Tell us about three things you like about your job. ❙ Every day is different (sorry about the cliché, but it is true). ❙ I have a lot of patient contact.
Jasmine Egan studied MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology at LJMU. Jasmine is now working as a clinical research practitioner in breast cancer prevention at Wythenshawe Hospital Trust, within the Nightingale Centre.
Gain as much work experience as possible, even if it is not relevant to the post, as it shows willing and many jobs demonstrate similar themes and skill requirements. Vocational skills are always an advantage as well as showing a prospective employer that you have the personality and people skills for the job. Always be enthusiastic and tenacious as you may have to wait for that job you want, but try to get employment in a similar area or organisation that will get you noticed, give you the desired experience and will allow you to keep up to date with training and vacancies. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful during the selection process?
Prescribing a relevant exercise/physical activity and education programme for recent cardiac procedure patients including MI, bypass, stents, ICD, valve repair/replacements etc, as well as a host of other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and stroke (CVA).
As part of the exercise team, we are involved in the assessment process, which allows us to perform a functional capacity test, talk about goals and create a bespoke programme based on their assessment needs, procedure, symptoms and aspirations. We are responsible for ensuring that post-CVD patients exercise in a safe and friendly environment, preparing them for their integration back to their normal lifestyle.
The preparation was heavily swayed towards safety guidelines and patient liaison, with scenarios required to demonstrate knowledge and experience. What relevant work experience and skills benefited you during the selection process?
Adrian Roose is a BSc Sport and Exercise Science graduate who now works for Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital as an exercise physiologist
❙ There is always a chance to upskill in the form of hospital mandatory training, relevant experience from other departments, or courses appropriate to my discipline.
We work within guidelines prepared by the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation and locally by our employer. Our service is a comprehensive community based programme in Knowsley covering all areas of the borough in local centres, which are accessible to the patients.
What does your current job role involve?
SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 13CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
What advice would you give students to improve their employability?
Which work experience did you do which may have helped you gain your current job role? I undertook clinical placements from the first year of my undergraduate course, and during my MSc (Jasmine studied her BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Beckett University). My current manager provided feedback from my interview and advised that my clinical experience put me in a good position for the vacancy. Would you do anything differently if you were a first year student again? If I was a first year student again and had more available time, I would have volunteered more with ongoing studies, whether it was as a participant or helping the researchers.
Did you receive any support from LJMU’s Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? I met with an adviser and following my appointment with her, I completely changed my CV by reducing it and made it more relevant for the positions I was applying for. I received advice about how to layout the supporting information when applying for positions and how to make it relevant by tailoring it to the job role and person specification. I was advised about how to prepare for interviews as well. I was supported with additional information about the types of questions which I could be asked at the interview and this helped a lot.
What does your job involve?
I was already working for the NHS so I was familiar with national and local protocols. It is always advantageous to be working for the NHS if you are looking for particular employment within the sector. Due to my previous work experience I was able to demonstrate particular skills such as patient interaction, multidisciplinary work, time keeping, organisational skills and autonomy as examples. If employment experience is not an option, work experience is vital, as in my experience work placements have sometimes led to students being employed on a full-time basis.
What did the application/selection process involve? I was interviewed by a panel of three members of the CVD management team. Also, as my initial post was a secondment, it was a requirement to be interviewed again when the post became available permanently.
I attended a two-week block placement and this employer gave me a reference when applying for jobs. My current employment as an exercise physiologist required a sport science degree or similar, therefore all aspects were important. Although, in hindsight, the physiology and exercise testing element were particularly beneficial.
My role is split between both administrative and clinical tasks, so it is the best of both worlds. It is fast-paced and requires me to switch from task to task, due to the amount of participants to be recruited and from working across different studies. I recently supported research nurses in the screening process of patients and initiating phase 1 and 2 of the study. This involved sending out the study questionnaire and recruitment letters, and gaining consent from the participants. I have to keep an accurate paper trail of all work completed, which requires me to work across multiple systems.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY GRADUATE CASE STUDY
As a research practitioner, I support various studies across breast oncology department clinical trials. The main study I am currently working on is BC-Predict, which is hoping to change the format of how the National Breast Screening Service is run. The aim is to see if women who are at high risk of breast cancer can receive annual mammograms alongside chemo-prevention, which in turn, reduces their chances of breast cancer. The aim is for those with lower breast cancer risk to receive less screening. Overall, this would enable the NHS to use funding more efficiently, rather than providing increased screening to those at low and high risk. I work across multiple NHS sites, including Withington Hospital, Trafford Hospital and Macclesfield Hospital. This enables me to work face-to-face with patients out in the community and recruit potential participants for the study. I collect patients’ samples, gain consent and answer any questions regarding the study protocol, including risks and benefits. My role requires me to ensure that myself and the research undertaken at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust safeguards patients and follows Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
After graduating with a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science in 2018, Laura Sambrook completed the MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology at LJMU and secured a place on the highlycompetitive NHS Scientist Training Programme.
❙ Utilise all help available if applying for the STP, whether this is from your lecturers or supervisors or from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team. Everyone is happy to help and I found the support which I received invaluable, during my application.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
How do you think that your BSc degree, and your MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology, helped you to secure this job?
www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
❙ If you are set on a career as a cardiac physiologist then it is also advisable to look into the NHS Practitioner Training Programme as the STP is notoriously competitive to gain entry to.
❙ Get as much experience in hospitals as you can, whether this is through general volunteering, part time paid work or course placements. This will not only boost your employability but also help you decide which job roles are right for you.
Simon Oates completed a BSc Sport and Exercise Science in 2017, and the MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2018. He gained a place on the NHS Scientist Training Programme, and is based in London where he is working as a trainee healthcare scientist, within the cardiac specialism.
I enhanced my interpersonal skills by doing some general ward volunteering at a hospital. This really helped me understand the caring nature of NHS employees. I also did placements during the third year of my undergraduate degree and during my MSc, which helped to familiarise me with the clinical environment. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
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Tell us about the multiple mini interview format used for this programme. The MMI set-up can seem quite daunting, but I thought it was better than a standard interview. As you have four mini-interviews across different stations, you have four opportunities to impress different sets of people. The first station was the general science station, where they are able to ask you almost anything around science. I read news articles online and bought the New Scientist magazine to try and prepare for this station. There are then two specialism-specific stations, which I found easier than expected. The questions aren’t too difficult and the interviewers prompt you to help you out if you are struggling. There was also an NHS values station, which involved situational questions on how you would approach certain situations. I familiarised myself with the NHS values and made sure to bring these into my answers as much as possible to help me with this station. How do you think your study, work and voluntary experiences helped you to secure this role? Pulling in different skills from a variety of contexts was useful rather than just focusing on my cardiac-based experience alone. I had a part-time job as a Supervisor at Primark and was part of the LJMU Netball team, which were really important when illustrating my strong leadership and teamwork qualities. I also drew upon experience gained during my undergraduate degree, such as a placement with Widnes Vikings rugby club doing cardiac screening, alongside my experience with relevant equipment and the skills from my research project, which was heavily based upon ECG and Echo. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would definitely try and gain as much experience as possible. I applied for the STP the year before being accepted and didn’t get to the interview stage, probably due to not having enough experience. Even a day here and there in the relevant department in the hospital to get a feel for how the multidisciplinary team works within the NHS will really help you with the application and especially at the interview stage to answer the situational questions, as you will build up a whole bank of examples. Joining a sports team is also really valuable as it gives you a variety of useful and transferable skills for the role; specifically communication, teamwork and leadership.
My undergraduate project in the area of cardiac science (which is in peer review for publication) probably helped me to stand out from the crowd, along with the research skills and experience which I gained from this project. The technical skills module in my MSc course helped familiarise me with the hands on skills needed for the job. The other MSc modules helped me gain a deeper physiology knowledge which I used at interview, and which I will use in the job. More generally, I think the confidence I gained through doing presentations and the work placement really helped in the interview (even though I was still nervous). What relevant work experience and volunteering did you draw upon during the selection process?
What will your role as a cardiac specialist on the Scientist Training Programme involve? I will be carrying out diagnostic tests including ECGs, echocardiograms and exercise stress tests to manage and diagnose known and suspected heart disease. I will also provide technical support in a range of procedures including device implantation (pacemakers, CRT-D etc.) as well as being involved in percutaneous coronary interventions (angiograms, stenting). Four-month rotations in respiratory and vascular will allow me to gain a wider skill set. Throughout the programme, I will study a part-time MSc in Clinical Sciences, which will further enhance my academic learning and build on my research skills through a dissertation completed over the second and third year of the programme. What did the application process involve, and how did you prepare for each stage? The application process is quite lengthy. You complete an application form via the ORIEL system, which involves four questions on your suitability, skills, and the NHS values. I spoke to both lecturers within the university and practising cardiac physiologists to get a better understanding of the role, which really helped me to develop my answers. I also had my responses reviewed by the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to enhance my application as much as possible. I would highly recommend using all available resources, as the programme is extremely competitive. As part of the application, I had to complete online logical and numerical reasoning tests. I found this quite difficult, because you only have a short amount of time to answer each question and must think quickly, so I ensured I used similar practice tests online to prepare for these. It is important to familiarise yourself with the style of questions and the time limits in order to perform well in the tests. After I was shortlisted for an interview, I had a mock interview with Laura Aldridge to begin with, and then I had a further mock interview with another adviser once I had prepared more. I also asked the staff at my placement to prepare some cardiac-based questions for me, which really helped me prepare for the four stations when it came to the actual interview.
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A band 5 therapeutic radiographer will work directly with patients delivering high-energy photon or proton therapy to treat their cancer or delivering low energy radiation to treat superficial cancers on the skin. However, some radiographers work in treatment planning where CT scans and complicated computer systems design treatment delivery. All these positions have a direct handson role with patients. Others may work in clinics where patients are reviewed on a weekly basis in order to check their health and Moreprogress.specialist radiographers may choose to work with specific cancer cases such as lung, head and neck or with paediatric patients.
The hands-on patient work was one of the main reasons I applied, however the chance to operate complicated medical equipment was also a factor in me choosing the course. During this course I have learnt how to operate linear accelerators, ortho voltage machines and CT- scanners. I have also learnt about the planning equipment used to design radiotherapy treatment.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones whilst you were at JMU?
A career in oncology is incredibility challenging however it is also rewarding. The hands-on work you do will directly benefit people who are living with cancer. There is also room for career progression once you are qualified including roles such as ‘on treatment’ review radiographers, management and consultant positions within the NHS and the private sector, ranging from pay bands 5-8b. (For more information about NHS pay rates please see: www.healthcareers. nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits/ agenda-change-pay-rates
In all departments, there are a number of research therapeutic radiographers who conduct research in order to improve patients’ Consultantoutcomes.
I attended a variety of the careers and employer events, which the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team ran, such as the workshop about ‘a career in therapeutic radiographer’, which was delivered by Dr Mike Kirby (a consultant radiotherapy physicist and lecturer at The University of Liverpool)
Why did you decide to apply for a post-graduate course in therapeutic radiography?
Firstly, choosing all the clinical modules for my undergraduate course made me realise that I wanted to work in a clinical setting where I would be helping people directly. Therapeutic radiographers are allied health professionals with a protected title, which is important when you have invested money and time into your studies and future career path. Some post- graduate courses lack this vocational factor.
What are your plans after finishing your current course?
There is a range of assessments including exams, course work, presentations as well as clinical assessments in practice. During the course students, spend 50% of their time in university and the other 50% in one of the universities clinical placements sites, which include Clatterbridge cancer centre, The Christie and Rose mere cancer centre.
I will work in one of the UK’s cancer hospitals in a role which is in the forefront of cancer treatment, technologies and research.
I also worked on a project with Helen Jones (a lecturer at LJMU). This was part of my dissertation and looked at the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on vascular function in patients with type two diabetes. Patients would come in for testing three times a week for three weeks and each session included IPC and blood tests to measure changes in vascular function. We also measured the patients’ vascular function with ultra sound. Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again? I would have tried to gain more clinical experience
Lewis Edwards completed a BSc Sport and Exercise Science in 2017, and is now completing a post-graduate diploma in therapeutic radiography at the University of Liverpool.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
therapeutic radiographers take on a role closer to that of a clinical oncologist, they have their own patients and are responsible for their treatments. They are typically specialised in a specific region of the body such as head and neck, thorax, breast or prostate.
DR MIKE KIRBY (A CONSULTANT RADIOTHERAPY PHYSICIST AND A LECTURER ON THE POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN THERAPEUTIC RADIOGRAPHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL) DELIVERS A PRESENTATION AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR AT LJMU. PLEASE CHECK THE Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team WEBSITE FOR DETAILS. SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
Please tell us more about any work experience which you did whilst you were at LJMU? I had a clinical work experience as part of my university degree course which was an imaging placement that involved counting fat cells on images generated from an electron microscope. Along with other students, I then presented the results to my lecturers.
Please tell us more about the role of a therapeutic radiographer: A therapeutic radiographer has a wide range of jobs dependent upon where he or she is working and his or her level of experience.
What did the application process involve for your current course of study? The selection process involved at least one clinical visit to a radiotherapy department and a series of interviews and team building tasks on the interview day. What does your current course involve? Please tell us more about which modules you have studied or any placements that you have undertaken? Modules are separated into anatomy, pharmacology, oncology, radiobiology and medical physics modules where you learn the fundamentals of cancer and how it effects the body. The course covers how and what pharmacological agents are used to treat cancer (i.e. chemotherapy and immunotherapy), and how X-Rays interact with DNA in the body so we can use them to treat cancer. It covers as well the physics aspect of X-ray production and interactions with cells. The course also entails the study of anatomy in detail.
ANY STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES, WHO ARE INTENDING TO APPLY TO THE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN THERAPEUTIC RADIOGRAPHY, SHOULD DISCUSS THEIR ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS WITH ADMISSIONS STAFF FOR THIS COURSE, BEFORE APPLYING.
❙ My favourite part of the job is seeing one of my products go from a concept on paper to a full-scale production and then into the hands of consumers. Watching people review our products and get excited about using them is a very rewarding experience.
Three things you like about your job: ❙ I enjoy the challenge of developing a product from scratch. It is easy for me to create a formula on paper that would be fantastic in terms of functionality and marketability, however, when I develop a sample doesn’t taste how it should or it is an unappealing colour, I have to rethink the dosages or the serving size to balance things out.
My job entails formulating powdered sports supplements for customers as well as for our own brand, CNP. A customer will come in with a product request, for example, a recovery powder or a pre-workout, and I will work with them to decide which ingredients to include and at what dosage, prioritising both flavour and functionality. I am then responsible for uploading the recipes onto our stock management systems and producing recipe sheets for the production team. Why did you decide to apply for this role? I was offered the job following a successful month-long placement in my final semester. For my placement, I had been contacting various sport nutrition companies with very little idea of what it was I actually wanted to do if/when I got there, so I looked further into the various roles within the industry and thought New Product Development (NPD) seemed interesting. I then started to get active on LinkedIn exploring opportunities for a placement in sports nutrition NPD and Protein Partners got in touch with me.
What does your job involve?
Josh Kirby is a 2019 sport and nutrition for health graduate who now works as a new product development executive for Protein Partners
❙ Our clients range from global sports nutrition companies to small startups, so I enjoy helping new businesses start gaining traction within a competitive industry by producing great products alongside them.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
What relevant work experience activities did you use during the selection process? I will refer to my placement as the selection process for this job. The main skill I used was adaptability as the job role wasn’t directly related to my degree, so I had to work hard to learn quickly and retain information. The research skills I learned at university were also extremely useful and continue to be today. This is because I regularly look at information about new ingredients or new information about existing ingredients, which is often in the form of a journal article. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? My main advice would be to set up a LinkedIn account and start growing your network! I set up my account, put on my previous work experience, and set my current job role to “seeking a one-month placement within the sports nutrition industry”. I then requested to connect with as many people within this field as I could – Nutritionists, CEOs, NPD Executives/Managers, Directors, etc. I built up around 50 connections all within sports nutrition and then put out a status introducing myself and explaining my current situation. This was shared and liked by a few contacts and led to 2 placement offers within a week – much quicker than the months I had spend previous to this sending out CVs and getting no reply. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would get more involved with things offered by the university outside of lectures, mainly guest talks and conferences, which I had very little to no involvement in, but have started taking an interest in since starting work. Every conference/talk I attend I realise how much easier my degree and job would be if I had learned this information or gained the experience earlier.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? As I mentioned above, the research skills I learned at university will be useful for my entire career, as well as during the selection process (placement).
Verbal and written communication skills within a professional setting were also vital. These were developed over time through regular contact with lecturers. Since most aspects of applications are done online, your written communication is the first impression an employer has of you, so I always double checked my emails to ensure they were professional.
What did the application / selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The selection process was fairly short. I was invited for an informal interview as it was a placement I originally applied for. I did some research on Protein Partners, found out exactly what they did as well as how their brand, CNP, was getting on. It did help that I had used CNP supplements in the past, so I knew what they were like and it was a point of conversation. I also prepared a few questions to ask in my interview. Some of the questions I already knew the answer to, but I thought expressing interest in the company would come across really well. It also meant that the interviewers ended up speaking more than I did, which made it feel like less of an interview and more of a chat.
Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
Gain as much relevant work experience as possible. Even if the placement/ job doesn’t turn out to be something you want to do, it is something to talk about in interviews. Turning an interview into a conversation as quickly as possible is quite often the best advice. This is because although your employer wants someone who is going to be good at their job, they also want someone who is going to add value to the office environment and get on with people.
SPORT AND NUTRITION FOR HEALTH SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 16 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
❙ The sense of pride when a player who has come through the Academy makes his debut at Goodison Park.
Everton had contacted the University requesting a number of students to come over to Finch Farm for an interview with the current Head of Education & Welfare for an opportunity to tutor one of the under 18’s through their BTEC in sport. By doing this, I established relationships with both players and staff from the Academy. When the position which I am in now came up, I was already a recognised and trusted candidate applying.
SPORT AND
COACHING SCHOOL
What relevant activities did you use during the selection process?
Throughout my time at University I actively participated in volunteering, whether it was coaching a local football team or as multisport coach in primary schools based across Liverpool. These experiences may not have been directly related to the position I was applying for, but it was relevant in demonstrating how I possessed certain skills needed to lead a session and manage a group in a sport environment. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Ensure you are constantly building on an ever-growing CV. Take every opportunity to enhance on your qualifications; these will be what stands out to an employer, along with experience.
Phillip McQuaid is a sport coaching graduate who now works as a player care and support assistant for Everton FC Academy
SPORT OF EXERCISE
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
A coach from the Academy came in when I was a second-year student to discuss how the Academy is run. Also, during the same year, the university arranged a trip for our year group to visit Finch Farm for a day. All these experiences just made me more eager to get involved in academy football after university.
SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 17CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
What three things do you like about your job?
What does your job involve?
I am one of three members of the Education & Welfare Team based at Everton FC’s USM Finch Farm training ground. My role predominantly focuses on our players’ welfare through all ages at the Academy, along with overseeing the under 9’s-11’s school release programme. I interact with both players and parents on a daily basis, building up relationships so that they are able to confide in me if they are ever experiencing any difficulties. Part of my role is also providing support for our host families; where all our oversees and non-local boys reside.
What did the application process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The opportunity came around when I was still a third-year student.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones? Throughout the degree programme, we had lots of employability support in our modules from tutors and the Careers Adviser. Prior to finishing university, I sat with a member of the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team who helped me enhance my CV in order to give me every opportunity of standing out when applying for jobs.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? Enjoy it and appreciate the opportunities available. In second & third year, the workload tends to increase so especially for those who have relocated for University, take time to appreciate how great Liverpool is. It’s not just great for bars and clubs, it’s a city full of culture and activities. I would also try and network with more people in the career which I want to pursue. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
I based my dissertation on the impact of adults on youth in sport. The research carried out for this project gave me a great insight into what I am working in now, as I liaise with parents, coaches and teachers on a regular basis.
❙ The relationships I develop with aspiring young athletes and being able to play a part in their journey. ❙ Working in an environment which I love.
The skills and experience I gained throughout my work placement at university was invaluable to me securing this job. It enabled me to transfer my knowledge and skills from the classroom to the workplace which is quite important in my role. I also attended a careers event put on by the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team and this really helped me make my decision on which career I wanted to pursue.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
What does your job involve (e.g. main duties)?
How do you think that your MSc course in Clinical Exercise Physiology helped you to secure this job? The MSc course taught me clinical skills such as electrocardiography and blood pressure monitoring. It also provided knowledge around cardiovascular disease, risk factors of cardiovascular disease and how exercise impacts this. My placement at Aintree Hospital was invaluable in enhancing my skills and allowing me to transfer knowledge from the classroom to the fast paced hospital environment.
❙ Obtain as much work experience as you can, it will help you make a decision on which career path you want to follow. I originally wanted a career in research, my work experience showed me that this career wasn’t for me and that cardiac physiology suited me better.
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
Without a doubt, their knowledge and advice helped me secure my job. They also check in with you throughout the process and I really felt like they cared. What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process?
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year again? I would volunteer to help on more research projects to increase my skills and knowledge. I would also make better use of the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process ?
18 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team at Byrom Careers Zone? I accessed the application checking and mock interview services, and also the interview simulator online (which can be accessed via the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team website). I couldn’t recommenced the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team enough.
❙ Be flexible in your career goals. After studying my MSc it wasn’t initially my intention to do an apprenticeship in cardiac physiology but it is a brilliant opportunity.
The first stage of the selection process involved submitting an application form online through www.jobs.nhs.uk. I conveyed my interest in the role by documenting my relevant skills and experiences. I then matched this to the person specification to ensure it was clear how I was the best person for the role. The second and last stage of the application process was a panel interview at the hospital, so I researched the hospital and the trust, in particular their values and what they stand for. I also practised interview questions relating to my previous experience and how I work with patients. I had a mock interview with Laura Aldridge (careers adviser) which was really helpful. Furthermore, I encouraged friends and family to ask me practice interview questions based on the NHS Trust and my skills. I would recommend that students make an informal visit to the hospital or business which he or she is applying for, if that is possible. I was able to meet the team and build a rapport with one of the ladies who interviewed me and she was genuinely pleased that I obtained the job.
The most useful aspect of my degree programmes were definitely work placements as the knowledge and skills gained from these related to my current job and helped me to secure this position.
❙ Use the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team, their knowledge and advice is first class.
Aneliese Lagan graduated from a BSc Sport and Exercise Science in 2015 and the MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2017. She is currently working as an apprentice cardiac physiologist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
When fully qualified I will independently carry out cardiac tests such as electrocradigrams, echocardiograms, holter monitoring, blood pressure measurement, tilt table testing and exercise stress testing. I will also monitor patients’ physiology in the catheter laboratory during procedures such as angiogram, angioplasty and pacemaker implantation.
What did the application and interview process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
What did your placement involve?
The best piece of advice I have heard from networking with individuals in elite sport and business whilst on this placement is; ‘to get out there and do something, anything whatsoever’. It is better to to do any work experience, instead of staying inside your habitual comfort zone. I would also recommend that students take part in activities which raise selfawareness, as understanding yourself and how you operate is going to be one of the biggest factors which employees look for in an individual when hiring you. It is important to start this process as early as possible, so that you can reflect upon, and adapt accordingly, following your work experience.
During the MSc course he completed a voluntary placement with ‘Supporting Champions’.
The application stage consisted of submitting a two-minute video highlighting my suitability for the role and why I wanted the placement with Supporting Champions. This had to be submitted alongside a CV and covering letter. When I was preparing my CV I contacted Byrom Careers Zone and Anja Heid (one of the employability advisers) was instrumental in helping me tailor my CV and cover letter and making sure it was ready to submit. I was then asked to prepare for one of three topics centred on marketing and social media techniques. I thoroughly examined literature and websites to understand the topic and then prepared a short presentation and proposal for the interview. At the interview, I presented this alongside answering questions from the panel of interviewers.
It sounds a cliché but it is important to gain work experience which involves working with others, in any context. I have learnt quite a lot as well from working in a bar in Liverpool City Centre. It is about how you frame this work experience and which mindset you approach it with. However, I would also encourage current students to work with a diverse range of people in a range of different sports as early as possible. It is not just future employers who will like to see this experience but the athletes whom you may work with in your future career will value this kind of experience as well. Make sure that you enjoy the few years which you have at university but make the most of your opportunities whilst you have them. Which aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
www.ljmu.ac.uk/postgraduate GET A 20% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR LJMU POSTGRADUATE COURSE To discover more, call 0151 231 5090, or go to: SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 19CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES GRADUATE CASE STUDY
Lastly, I fundamentally underpin Supporting Champions business developments, content and systems with psychological science and data. Since then I have also gone on to deliver my own consultancy services as an independent practitioner and acquire a role as a sport and exercise/psychology lecturer with Rotherham Education Services.
Please list three things which you enjoyed about your placement: I enjoyed networking, being taken outside of my comfort zone and working directly with high performance support staff at the cutting edge of sport science. What did the application process involve for your placement and how did you prepare for each stage?
The lecturers themselves are fantastic and really teach us the craft skills and fundamental psychological science needed to operate in elite sport. A range of guest lecturers also provided great insight into what it takes to work in a variety of different settings. A visit to Saracens Football Club and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in London really reaffirmed what we had been taught in classes and how it transfers into the real world.
Please tell us about your current job roles After completing the MSc placement with Supporting Champions in 2018 - I was offered a permanent full-time post which involves providing performance psychology and personal development support to athletes and professionals in sport, business and education and conducting research into the characteristics, demands and concepts in high performance people, teams and industries. I also assist in the development and delivery of industry relevant events, workshops and conferences and produce the Supporting Champions Podcast.
Are you completing any further study? I am currently working towards the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at LJMU. I am conducting research into highperformance people, teams and industries with Supporting Champions, as part of the competencies required for the Doctorate.
Sam Porter completed a sport psychology degree followed by the MSc Sport Psychology, both at LJMU, and is currently enrolled on the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year again?
As part of my MSc in Sport Psychology, I completed a voluntary placement with Supporting Champions. My primary role was to fundamentally underpin Supporting Champions’ content and systems with psychological science and data of the user experience. This entailed psychological profiling and looking at use of terms, thematic analysis, search engine optimisation and social media communication. I was involved in the logistical and operational planning and execution of an elite sport, business and education conference at the Emirates Stadium, London. I have also created various video-based conference packages to allow speakers, delegates and non-attendees to immerse themselves in the educational experience of the conference. Lastly, I assisted in the generation of the company’s strategic business plan. How did your placement with Supporting Champions help you to gain your skills? My placement with Supporting Champions fundamentally allowed me to gain insight into the nature of consultancy and apply psychological concepts to the development and delivery of online content. I also developed rapport and understanding with a diverse range of people from the sectors of sport, business and education.
What help and support have you accessed in the Careers Zone whilst you have been at university? I have found the support from the advisers at the Careers Zone invaluable, they have helped me tailor my CV and covering letter to many relevant placement and job roles, whilst at university. In particular, they have helped me to shape the format of my applications so that I have been able to highlight my experiences and skills more for the relevant roles. Without this, my application would have just become another number on the pile of many applications which employers receive. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
What did the application process involve for the Professional Doctorate?
What other help and support have you accessed during your time at university? I have attended talks by the Centre for Entrepreneurship about how to set up an independent business, and how to manage the finance, promotion and advertisement of that business.
SPORT AND EXERCISE
Alice Stratford completed her degree in sport psychology followed by the MSc Sport Psychology at LJMU and is now a first-year PhD Researcher in Women’s Professional Football
The Professional Doctorate combines the Stage 2 training (required to become a qualified sports psychologist) with doctoral level research and so is the perfect mix of research and practice. This is vital to the development of a sport psychologist. The course combines supervision with peer discussion and debate, which aids the holistic development of practitioners. Upon completion I will be eligible for Chartered Psychologist and Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist status, and be awarded a Doctorate qualification by LJMU.
20 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES GRADUATE CASE STUDY
The application process was very similar to any normal job application. I was asked to apply by sending over my CV and a covering letter. I was then asked to interview, where I had to give a 10-minute presentation about my previous experiences, and give evidence of why I thought I could be successful conducting research and working within professional football.
What help and support have you accessed in the Careers Zones during your time at university? During my undergraduate degree the Careers Zone were very supportive with helping me to create an effective CV and covering letter. I attended both group sessions on this throughout my degree programme and sought out one to one appointments for further help.
How have you benefited from previous work experience? My work experience has provided me with an opportunity to apply my theoretical knowledge into an elite environment and gave me the foundations to progress into full-time professional practice. I had placements in the past with Everton Football Club and West Bromwich Albion Football Club. The research opportunities on the course have challenged me to write and publish at doctoral level, and have helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice in my own role as a lecturer.
Nick Wadsworth completed the MSc Sport Psychology programme at LJMU, and he is currently working towards BPS chartered psychologist status and HCPC registration as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist by completing the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at LJMU. He is also employed as a lecturer at The University of Bolton.
I currently work as a performance lifestyle advisor for Women’s development teams in the Women’s Super League. This is a role that has been funded by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme. It requires me to work with teams and individuals, players’ coaches and other football staff. I work to deliver group sessions and one to one support throughout the season and tailor my support to each player’s individual needs. This role is both challenging and highly rewarding, and allows me to continually develop and evolve as a practitioner.
POSTGRADUATE CASE STUDY
Please tell us about your current job role.
Why did you decide to apply for the Professional Doctorate?
I completed an online application to show that I had access to the appropriate job opportunities (or applied experience) to meet the demands of the course. I had to show that I would have a chance to ‘tick’ all of the competencies required to fully complete the course.
During my Masters degree when I was preparing for job interviews, the Careers Zone offered the opportunity for practise interviews and made sure I had planned out answers to the questions I was likely to be asked during the interviews.
How have you benefited from previous work experience?
My previous work experience has allowed me to develop my applied knowledge and to transfer the skills I have developed in lectures and classes to the real world of sport. Without these experiences I would have had very little opportunity to practise my skills, and work on my professionalism, before I began seeking work in the world of elite sport - somewhere that it is notoriously difficult to secure a job in if you have no experience.
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again? I would not specialise in football so early on in my career and be open to working in a variety of sports and environments. What are your plans for when you finish your Professional Doctorate? I am already in a full-time lecturing role, so I would like to progress to a senior position within this university. I would also like to set up my own consulting practice, working with elite athletes from a variety of sports.
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?
What did the application process involve for the PhD?
This PhD was a unique position in that it included a research degree and the opportunity for applied work in professional sport. I decided to apply for this role because I felt it would not only help me to reach my aspirations of working in elite sport, but would also enable me to develop my research abilities, more than I would have done if I had gone straight into full-time work after my MSc.
I would think more consciously about applied work opportunities, and would try to find experience opportunities earlier on in my degree. What are your plans for when you finish your PhD? When I finish my PhD, I hope to work towards chartership as a sports psychologist. I would ultimately like to work full time in the world of elite sport as a sports psychologist. In addition to this, I hope to run my own consultancy business so I can continue to work with a variety of different athletes in different sports.
Why did you decide to apply for a PhD?
SCHOOL OF SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year again? Probably not! Mainly because I lived in halls, socialised with people from other courses, joined a sports team and still had the balance of focusing on the content of the course to prepare myself for second year.
❙ I was fortunate to be selected to be on the IDEALS programme, going to Namibia for two months to do sports coaching. I chose this as my dissertation topic, which helped to ensure the trip was educational in a different way. I refer back to experiences from this time most days, and particularly within the interview process.
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Olivia Loughlin is a sport development with Inclusion graduate who now works as an education manager for Manchester City in the Community Foundation
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Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
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Challenging ❙ Rewarding to see the impact of the work the organisation does in the local community ❙ Fast paced, requires me to make decisions quickly. What did the application process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?
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What does your job involve?
❙ Use key people around you for help, ask for advice, information - make the most of having resourceful people and information around you.
What three things do you like about your job?
GRADUATE CASE SPORTSTUDYDEVELOPMENT SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 21CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
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What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones? Advice on employability and CV writing skills. What relevant work experience/skills activities did you use during the selection process? I played on the hockey team, which was a great way to meet other people separate from the course. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Complete qualifications relevant to your area of study and take every opportunity to do so. Volunteering is an effective way of demonstrating your commitment. I started volunteering at City in the Community when I was in my last year of sixth form and continued to do this until I graduated. Keep updated with the news! Be aware of what the latest information is in your area. For example, I ensured that I knew the latest information in the world of sport as much as possible.
Use every opportunity you get to develop your CV. I constantly spoke to academic staff about information, opportunities and consistently asked for advice which helped me massively throughout my degree and still now that I am employed. Develop your networking skills by speaking to key people, this is an essential skill when employed and working with key partners. Keep yourself updated with key news. It is good to be aware of this going into interviews and is an effective way to demonstrate your knowledge.
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Overseeing a team of staff that deliver a variety of educational programmes across Manchester Managing current internal and external partnerships Developing programme and curriculum content Managing budgets/funding for each programme
❙ Opportunity to develop my CV completing various sporting qualifications.
Practical interview; multi sports delivery. Prepared with session planning and practising the session. Formal interview; rehearsing answers, preparing list of examples to match to a skill. Gaining advice from other people and ensuring that I had done my research!
Dr Martin Littlewood, Reader in football psychology at LJMU, explains the value of the internship programme to students:
Have you completed any further study following your degree course? I have completed an MSc in Performance Analysis in Sport at The University of Salford.
My roles and responsibilities were to record all matches, both home and away, as well as training sessions. My main duty was to provide post-match feedback to the coaching staff which involved me breaking down specific areas of the game and making a post-match report to provide match statistics.
GRADUATE CASE CONNECTEDSTUDY TO INDUSTRY: EXCLUSIVE EVERTON FC INTERNSHIPS FOR LJMU STUDENTS SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 22 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Three things you liked about your work experience: ❙ I was able to work in an environment with good facilities (in Finch Farm). ❙ I continued to learn and grow as an analyst by working with good staff.
Christina Cunningham, BSc (Hons) Science and Football student and Everton intern commented: “The internship programme with Everton Football Club has been an amazing experience. Being able to learn the basics and develop into being responsible for taking physiological and performance analysis-based sessions is something unique to the internship. I believe that without this kind of work experience, it would be very hard to get the knowledge and experience in implementing vital skills that are essential when working within such an elite level of sport.
Applying for an Everton internship?
I volunteered with the club throughout my whole university journey, which allowed me to gain further knowledge and experience. This helped me throughout my course. Whilst at college, I had worked previously with the club, which led to this opportunity.
“My experience at Everton has been first class. To be able to work alongside some of the best in the field, to be shown and trusted to use vital equipment and implement/lead fitness sessions, and be viewed as an equal to the full-time staff, has allowed for an experience that’s second to none.”
What did your work experience involve?
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? If I could go back to being a first year student, I would change my psychological approach by being less shy and more interactive. This would help me with the next stage of my career as you can’t be shy in the sports industry. Which aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? The degree as a whole allowed me to gain the opportunities I have done due to what I learnt during the course. However, one module in particular which was really helpful was the performance analysis module. This was useful in terms of the practical sessions as it gave an insight on how to use the relevant software. This was helpful when I was working for the club as it gave me an idea about how to use this software. Guest lectures were also useful as they were often motivational and gave me beneficial tasks to complete.
Securing a position on the internship programme in the first place is also something that the students have to work hard for. There is an application and interview process which involves developing communication skills and volunteering experience.
The experience involves working in the professional football environment for a full season with the Youth Academy teams, from training days to home matches, and travelling with the team to away games. Students design and implement fitness sessions, testing and match-day warm-ups.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I would advise current students to gain experience whilst you are studying. You can try to arrange this yourself or by asking the tutors to try and place you within a club where they have contacts.
John McKeown, Head of Academy Sports Science at Everton Football Club explains the value of the internships to the Club: “The partnership between Everton Football Club and LJMU is mutually beneficial. The students get the experience they need and the Club gains from their assistance and skills across a range of sports science disciplines. We have a significant number of interns who have gone on to work in key roles at the Club and we encourage a mentor programme between interns to aid this transition from academic study to practical application.”
LJMU sports and exercise science and science and football students now have exclusive internship places at Everton Football Club.
“This internship model has developed over the past five years and now we have nine undergraduate and postgraduates working at the Club. The students gain a variety of skills from applying their degree knowledge to a practical setting and this instils the confidence for them to progress into different careers from performance analysis to sport psychology.”
Megan Woods graduated in Science and Football in 2017 and has previously completed some work experience with Everton Ladies Football Club as a performance analyst.
How did you gain entry to this job area?
❙ Every day was different.
With competition for places on the Everton internship programme so intense, get your application form checked by the expert team of Employability Advisers at the Careers Zone prior to submission. Should you secure an interview, you can also book a practice interview with our team to ensure you feel as confident as possible beforehand.
How has LFC helped you develop as an individual? They helped increase my confidence in which career path to pursue. I have gained work experience for a footballing charity that is passionate about changing lives and providing opportunities to local communities. It has confirmed my career goal of becoming a Sports Development Officer to promote physical activity and inspire the next generation to lead active lifestyles. Have you enjoyed it? Would you recommend the LFC programme to others? – Why? Being an intern at LFC Foundation has been an amazing opportunity and the staff I have worked alongside have supported me the whole way. The professional experience has better equipped me for life after university, I would 100% recommend it to students considering a career within the sport sector. What’s next for you? I will complete my final year of studies at LJMU and continue my volunteering role at a local sporting charity based in her hometown near London. My goal is to become a Sports Development Officer, specifically promoting netball, whilst gaining netball coaching qualifications to one day work for National Governing Body, England Netball.
LFC Foundation and Liverpool John Moores University teamed up to provide remote internship opportunities to two LJMU students as Research Assistants. The internships were advertised through Unitemps at LJMU and the successful candidates were Sport and Exercise Science student Darren Evans and Sport Development Student Ellie George.
The LJMU Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team have also supported my development throughout by providing me with an internship coach and meetings. The team also helped me create a CV, as well as giving me access to learning tasks to prepare for this remote working experience. How has LFC helped you develop as an individual? The opportunity with LFC Foundation has made me more confident when speaking with other professionals. It was a big opportunity and I’m so grateful for the experience. I have been able to develop new skills and my confidence has grown. It has better equipped me for when I start on my own career. What are the tasks you’ve been getting up to? The experience included a range of different activities; from weekly team meetings with the Impact and Insights Manger to attending LJMU employability sessions. One of the tasks was based on research into case studies and interviews. I had to conduct interviews and create case studies from them. Have you enjoyed it? Would you recommend it to others? – Why? Yes, it has been good to meet everyone working at LFC Foundation. The environment is very welcoming, and the staff are very focussed but easy to get along with. Paula, the Impacts and Insight Manager has been very supportive, answering any queries or questions I had on the tasks. The students I worked with were good and proactive, making the experience enjoyable. Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time? Within the next five years, I would like to have my masters completed, and be in secure job position, ideally within the sporting sector. I would like to go onto study physiotherapy and work for a professional sports club. I feel like the experience has given me an insight into the real world of work. I hope to make connections through networking more and continue to develop my interpersonal skills. What attracted you to apply? The main attraction was to work for Liverpool Football Club. It was a big opportunity and I felt like I shared the same values of the club; helping the community. This relates to my course at LJMU where I study coaching methods and initiatives to promote sport within the community. I also wanted to gain experience in a professional setting, but specifically within the sports industry and a company who focus on sport development. I wanted to gain confidence in my own ability and demonstrate the knowledge I have developed whilst studying. What did the role entail? My role was based around the production of case studies. The aim of the internship was to research and promote the stories of people who participate in the LFC Foundation programmes to raise awareness of the opportunities available. I had to review case studies and collect data from participant questionnaires to produce reports. I also had the opportunity to network with LFC Foundation staff through virtual meetings and LinkedIn.
LJMU set up an induction meeting for all students starting summer internships, a mid-point review and also an end of project meeting. This allowed students to reflect on their time as an intern, reviewing the challenges they overcome and skills they have developed. What are the key skills you have developed here at LFC? My confidence improved, especially working on virtual meeting platforms like Microsoft Teams as it has allowed me to meet new people. Both my written and verbal communication skills have improved through the completion of research reports and professional networking. I also had the opportunity to work with new software such as Canva which tested my adaptability skills and I now feel more confident with IT.
SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES
www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 23CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
I first heard about the LFC Foundation through an LFC Foundation staff member visiting his university to promote volunteering opportunities at the Foundation. I then found the internship through Unitemps, which partners up with LJMU to provide unique employment opportunities for its students. What attracted you to apply?
How does the University support in internships/placements?
LJMU AND LIVERPOOL FC FOUNDATION PARTNER TO OFFER INTERNSHIPS TO TWO LJMU STUDENTS
How did you hear about LFC Foundation?
My course is largely research-based and I have experience in analysing both qualitative and quantitative data, and I have learnt a lot through the ‘Research Methods’ module on how to conduct interviews and collect/ present data. The Research Assistant role gave me the opportunity to apply this knowledge. What are the key skills you have developed here at LFC?
The opportunity to work for the LFC Foundation was an exciting prospect. Gaining an experience for such a big club and being able to apply knowledge from university into a professional setting was an attraction, and I wanted something to stand out on my CV. How does the course relate to your degree?
The opportunity allowed me to be more prepared for my dissertation. The exposure to a sports industry helped to improve my communication skills with others and to build up my experience in a professional setting. How does the University support in internships/placements?
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