Graduates may take up operational management roles within the sports sector. Alternative careers include managing sport development programmes, services and facilities.
Graduate Profile: Huw Darch
Huw is Marketing Manager for Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, Devon TQ9 7DE
What I do
I work at what I class as the top golf course in Devon. The club employs about 80 staff, has a three star hotel, health and leisure facilities and private lodges on site. I originally started in the role looking after large golf group bookings, marketing and selling memberships. This has evolved into promoting corporate memberships to companies and helping out with running the hotel. I have also driven up online bookings; when I first arrived, we were only taking £45 a month and now it’s risen to £2500.
How I got here
I’ve played golf since I was seven and was interested in business. I’d heard of Hartpury and visited an open day. As soon as I saw the campus, I said to my Dad – ‘this could work’. I saw the sports fields and found the perfect course - so everything fitted. My dissertation looked at golf membership and marketing during the credit crisis, so I knew I wanted to get into golf marketing.
About my time at Hartpury
The lecturers are supportive, and even after graduating I contacted them for advice about my career options. Their real life experiences working with teams like England Rugby, Olympics and Athletics GB proved invaluable. I’ve been able to relate all the modules to my day-to-day job - especially the marketing ones. I have also been able to get involved in financial accounts and looking at business trends.
Advice for people who want to work in the industry
Experience is key. After graduation, I hunted out a marketing internship with Macmillan Cancer Support and I was running the world’s biggest coffee morning. I was working for free four days a week, but it was worth it. When I applied to Dartmouth they very openly said that if I didn’t have the Macmillan experience, I wouldn’t have got the job.