Alumni attend Sport and Health Sciences networking event

Alumni attend Sport and Health Sciences networking event

On 20 November, the Sport and Health Sciences networking evening took place in in Cross-Keys. 

Over 20 professionals from 16 organisations met over 100 students keen to find out about a wide variety of different industries and potential career routes in sport or health sciences. This is the second time this event has taken place, and once again students enjoyed the opportunity to interact with inspiring employers and alumni from a broad-range of industries, including sectors they may not previously have considered a career in.

The Exeter alumni who attended were: Andy Blundell (Exercise and Sport Sciences 2009, International Management 2010, DB Schenker), James Bogue (Management and Statistics 2002, Active Devon), Jason Button (History 1999 and PGCE 2000, British Army), Sean Buxton (Exercise and Sport Sciences 2015, Fuel My Performance), Jess Huxtable (FCH 2015) and Rikki Mace (Exercise and Sport Sciences 2010) both at CMT Learning, Mike Laflin (Economics and Geography 1981, Sportcal), Sam Olden (Exercise and Sport Sciences 2013, CP+R), Nicky Savill (Exercise and Sport Sciences  2013 and MSc Sport and Health Sciences 2014, University of Exeter High Performance) and Matt Black (PhD sport and Health Sciences 2017, University of Exeter).

Also present, were representatives of Devon and Cornwall Police, Royal Navy, Big Wave Media, Wellity, South West Youth Games, UP Fitness, Quay Kinetics Physio and Scott Medical and Healthcare College.

The evening started with the guests and students mingling and beginning conversations about their aims and the needs of working in the sector. The professionals then formally introduced themselves and their organisations, before a session of ‘speed-networking’, with small groups of students talking to different groups of professionals in 10-minute intervals.

There was a real buzz in the room, and conversation was flowing. Discussions included opportunities for work placements and internships, graduate employment, advice for after graduating and tips for applications.

Many of the professionals who took part commented on how impressed they were with the way students engaged with them, and some spoke of their eagerness to connect with Exeter students in the future.

Lee Wylie, a researcher Sport and Health Sciences commented “a lot of students are still coming up to me to say how much fun they had and how helpful it was!” 

2019 careers network events

In 2019, the University will hold similar networking evenings for other sectors:

-          Tuesday 12 February - ‘Careers in sustainability and environmental protection’, 6-8pm

-          Monday 25 February – ‘Careers in the charity sector’, 6-8pm

-          Tuesday 5 March – ‘Careers in healthcare’, 6-8pm

If you would be interested in taking part in any of these events, please contact Rose Gater, Alumni Engagement Officer: r.gater@exeter.ac.uk.

Date: 22 January 2019