When I was young, I always dreamed of being a professional footballer. Even though that dream never truly fades, I’ve been fortunate enough to do the next best thing, work in sport. Like any industry, sport has its faults, but it has given me a lot, and I think it’s time to give something back. After months of toying with the idea, I decided to create a free resource for recent graduates, career changers, or those just starting out in the sports world. This is how it looks today, but as it grows, I’m sure it will evolve. I could go on for hours about the how’s and why’s behind this, but to save you from my rambling, I’ve put together a quick Q&A.
Who Am I?
My name is Joe Jackson, and I’m currently an Insight Manager at Brentford FC. I have six years of industry experience, having worked in various roles, from agency life to brand-side, and now, at a football club. I hold a diploma from the European Sponsorship Association and have recently completed a course on finance in sport from the Johan Cruyff Institute. While I’ve built a solid foundation of industry knowledge, I’m always looking to learn more, and I hope this resource will be as much a learning tool for me as it is for you.
Why Am I Doing This?
Like many, my football dream didn’t pan out (or, if I’m being honest, it never really started). After that, I wanted to be a sports journalist, then a historian, and eventually found myself unsure of what I really wanted to do. Fortunately, I was required to complete a sandwich year between my second and third years at university, which landed me a role at Sportcal (now Global Data). It was a simple data entry job, but it came with a great perk, the first hour of every day was spent scouring industry news. That experience, along with the brilliant minds I worked with, solidified my passion for the sports industry.
Not everyone is as lucky to have those connections or resources early on, and that’s what inspired me to create this platform. Things haven’t changed much since I first started out, so I wanted to centralize all this advice and guidance in one place to help others get a foot in the door.
What I Aim to Offer:
- A Weekly Newsletter/Blog:
Providing insights, tips, and actionable advice on how to break into the sports industry. From landing your first internship to navigating career growth, this blog will be your go-to resource for job-seeking strategies in sport. - A Bi-Weekly Job Round-Up:
A curated list of the latest entry-level job opportunities in the sports industry to keep you informed and ready to apply. - Free CV Advice:
Personalised feedback on your CV to help it stand out. I’ll work with you to highlight the skills and experiences that sports employers are looking for. - Free Impartial Advice:
Whether you need guidance on a career decision or help navigating a specific job opportunity, I’m here to offer unbiased advice and support. - Regularly Updated Industry Resources:
A constantly evolving collection of tools, courses, and learning materials to help you stay sharp and up-to-date with the ever-changing sports landscape.
What I Aim to Build:
Ultimately, I want this to grow into a thriving community where people from all experience levels can come together and share their stories about how they broke into the sports industry. The goal is to create a space that not only offers real-world advice and guidance to the next generation of professionals but also fosters collaboration and connection.
As this community evolves, I envision it becoming a hub where young people can exchange ideas, support each other, and collaborate on projects. It’s a space where fresh perspectives meet seasoned expertise, where newcomers can ask questions, and where peers can help each other navigate the challenges of breaking into the field. This network could open doors for mentorships, partnerships, and even job opportunities.
Together, we can build something that empowers the next wave of sports professionals to succeed.
If all of this sounds appealing to you, I’d love for you to join our community. Sign up for the weekly newsletter, and feel free to reach out to us anytime at [email protected]. Let’s start building something great together!