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Work Placement Hunting Tips
Work experience and placements are becoming increasingly important for students as we attempt to develop our own skills and competencies. The summer is not far away and is a great opportunity to find a placement or a job to help you on your way to becoming a sport or exercise scientist. Start researching opportunities now, that way you will have plenty of time to look for possible placements and work experience. The SAG has put together a guide for all students to help them get a really beneficial placement for the summer.
1) What do you want to do? - It is important that you start thinking about what you want to do after you graduate. If you are interested in a particular aspect of sport science (psychology, physiology, biomechanics), then ensure that some of your placement will help you develop this interest and the skills and competencies you will need.
2) What groups of people do you want to work with? - If you want to work in a specific sport (football, athletics etc.,), then get experience in these sports, even if it is as a coach or volunteer. Having an understanding of the sport and the type of athletes and individuals you might meet is excellent experience, and will help you apply for jobs in the future.
3) Research future career options - If you have some jobs in mind for the future, then try and research the kind of skills and experience that employers are looking for by looking at job descriptions. For instance, a physical activity promotion job might require experience as a fitness instructor. Gaining this kind of experience will be invaluable and will help you achieve that 'dream job'.
4) Be persistent and realistic - It may take a while to find the right placement or job, so don't give up! Write lots of letters and make phone calls as well. Chances are that your effort will impress someone and they may be able to offer you some experience. It will be difficult to get experience with elite athletes - so research junior teams and local clubs that may be more open and interested in helping you.
5) Take your chance - when you do get it don't relax! Make sure you work as hard as you can. While you are there make contacts, talk to individuals doing the sort of jobs you are interested in, they will be a great source of advice. Another good way to make the most of your time is to record what you do in a diary, this will help you keep a record of what you have done and help you reflect on your experience.
Useful Careers Websites
www.bases.org.uk
Lists jobs in sport and exercise sciences.
www.careerjet.co.uk
Careerjet is an employment search engine for the UK. It allows you to search a growing selection of jobs listed on company sites as well as jobsites in one go saving you the trouble of having to go to each site individually.
www.exercisecareers.com
Deals with jobs in both the exercise and sport domains. Mainly looks at jobs based in USA, however, there are some UK based jobs advertised.
www.healthjobsuk.com
Lists the job opportunities within the NHS, so mainly for those interested in a clinical career.
www.jobs.ac.uk
Caters for all positions and studentships within higher education. Has an easy to use search engine, as well as e-mail updates on job openings. Also includes profiles of potential employers.
www.jobswithballs.com
The UK's premier network for the sport and leisure industry. A website focused on helping sports enthusiasts find their dream jobs in sport. This site is also a source for industry related information - career advice and interviews with people working within the industry.
www.leisurejobs.com
A website for those wanting to work in the leisure and fitness industry. Includes job listing for all the major health clubs and gyms, as well as information on obtaining the correct training to get into the leisure industry.
www.leisureopportunities.co.uk
Is a daily recruitment website for people looking for jobs in the leisure industry; including health and fitness, sport and spa.
www.lifecoach-directory.org.uk
The purpose of the site is ultimately to provide the UK with a huge life coach support network, enabling individuals to find a life coach close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service that will help those seeking a new direction in their life to find the encouragement they need. Every life coach on the site who has a full profile has either sent a copy of their qualifications and insurance cover to us, or is registered with a professional body with recognised codes of ethics and practice, this way we can be assured of their professionalism.
www.prospects.co.uk or www.prospects.ac.uk
This website provides lots of information on tips for job seeking, postgraduate options and careers open days.
www.sportengland.org
Advertises jobs in sport.
www.afpe.org.uk
The Association for Physical Education.
www.teachpe.com
A website for those interested in teaching. Includes a UK job search for teaching positions.
www.tes.co.uk
Caters mainly for teachers but there are job listings for those wishing to go into lecturing in further and higher education.
www.uksport.gov.uk
Advertises jobs in elite level sport and has a useful e-mail newsletter for the latest developments in elite sport.
www.gradfutures.com
Lists 1500+ graduate schemes, industrial placements and internships across 26 sectors.