I left university over a year ago with a degree in sports engineering. I enjoyed the course and got a 2:1 but since then I’ve been working in bars which is not really helping me to break into the work I want to do.

My problem is how to get a job that is going to use my degree and start me on a career path rather than continue in pretty unskilled jobs which aren’t helping me to gain relevant experience.

Reply

There are a number of things you can do to enhance your chance of success.

First of all find out about the requirements for the job. Alongside specific experience, most companies also want people to have developed softer skills which you will have gained from the bar work - relating to a range of people, dealing with difficult people situations and the motivation to get to work on time each day. So when you contact companies stress your skills in these areas.

You can also include qualities which you have developed through volunteering and other out of work activities - such as leadership of a scout’s troop, administration skills via working with a campaigning organisation etc.

Then you will want to find companies that may possibly have jobs you can apply for. Decide on your travel to work radius and use the internet to find companies that employ sports engineering graduates. This isn’t a job area I’m familiar with so I have had a look on the prospects web site – I searched for this term and also under engineering and sports did not provide any results. So you will need to find a way of identifying possible companies, your university may be able to help you.

Then you can contact companies direct – not in the “have you got a job sense” but around informational interviews asking questions to help you move forward in your search and possibly even doing some unpaid work shadowing.

I do sell an eBook on informational interviews and you can read more here:   http://www.amazingpeople.co.uk/informational_interviews.htm