The first cohort of Sports Journalism graduates from UCLan have been snapping up jobs in Public Relations.

Only months after the first graduate, Emma Pickles, was offered a job as a Communications Officer with the national governing body for athletics, other students are now working as journalists or for the press offices of some of the country’s top football clubs.

Despite studying journalism, the students also built up their PR knowledge by studying a module in Sports Public Relations which allowed them to look at the industry from both perspectives.

Craig Davies has recently started his job as a Communications Assistant at Everton FC. He writes content for the club’s intranet and also checks national and local media for stories on Everton that can be added to the website.

He said: “I am a lifelong Everton fan so it’s a dream come true to come straight into this job. I have to do other things such as downloading images for sports newspapers or TV channels and I am also currently dealing with Everton Mobile where I take audio highlights from Everton’s games and publish them on the website as ringtones.”

Craig also reads through the Everton fans forum, the Blue Room, checking through everything that fans are writing about the club.

Media Officer

Stewart Hudson has also landed a job in a football club press office, for recently promoted club Blackpool FC. He is an Assistant Media Officer and Assistant Secretary for the club and was offered the job after posting his CV to Blackpool after they were promoted to the Championship.

Stewart said: I liaise with both local and national press, the players and staff at the club and assist Club Secretary and Media Officer Matt Williams. I applied for the job because I wanted to get into the media side of things with a football club and the turnaround at Blackpool FC made it an attractive proposition.”

Nick Hext works for Sporting Life website, a news site that is owned by Sky Broadcasting and covers many sports from football to snooker.

He said: “It’s great to put everything I’ve been taught into practice and I’m enjoying working for a company that is so well respected.”

As a sub-editor for Sporting Life, Nick covers a variety of sports although his main interest lies in football.

“I’ve been writing previews and player profiles for cricket and also covering International football games so there is a variety. I’m enjoying building up a good knowledge base on sport and it means everyday is different.”

All three agree that the key to career success is to build up experience and a portfolio whilst at university.

Craig said: “Get your face and name known in the industry. Once you’ve had some work experience at a football club don’t be scared of hassling them to give you a job or to ask for any opportunities.”

Stewart, who completed work placements at Rugby League clubs St Helens and Warrington Wolves, said: “Any sort of work experience during your time at the university is worthwhile and in the end that is what will help you stand out over others who have not. It will go a long way when it comes to leaving and searching for your first full-time job in the industry.”

Nick also advised that students need to be prepared to try several times to get the job.

He added: “It’s a competitive industry so you have to be prepared for some knock backs when you apply for jobs and work placements but it’s important to keep at it.”

More info
BA(Hons) Public Relations
BSc(Hons) Press Commuincations
Sporting Life
Everton FC
Blackpool FC

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