Chris Askew
Sport and Leisure Management BA (Hons)
Placement at Sport Brighton
The main reason I chose Sport and Leisure Management BA (Hons) at Chelsea School was because it is a sport centred facility. This meant I would get to interact with other students who are as passionate about sport and leisure as I am. Other reasons for choosing Chelsea School were the positive reputation and the fact that Eastbourne is known as the sunshine coast meant it was going to make for a pleasant place to live.
I thoroughly enjoyed working at SportBrighton. The members of staff were supportive throughout and provided great training during the first few weeks. They were very courteous and helpful in rough times and aimed to facilitate my learning needs when times were quiet. The most enjoyable thing about being on placement was working with people of all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds. It never got dull when interacting with customers, other students and members of staff. Every interaction was different as there was a range of personalities and different conversational topics.
The placement made me learn how crucial qualifications are in all types of working environments. I gained my National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, which has spurred me to get a range of different qualifications when the placement finishes such as the level 2 or 3 fitness instructor, pool plant operations and first aid at work. The placement taught me that college and university is where your continuing professional development starts and qualifications are a resourceful tool to gain employment.
I never thought that I would find working within a sports centre interesting, but the work placement opened a new career door for me. One of the great outcomes of the work placement was that it has given my learning and career ambitions a target. I can now aim at getting a particular job within a organisation so I know which qualifications, extra training and personal skills are needed to be successful. I really enjoyed my placement and that I could put theory into practice. I never thought I would gain my first sport and leisure qualification on placement.
The placement helped me develop new and old skills. My personality also changed a lot of the time at work. I became more professional and mature. I discovered what personal traits are needed in the working environment and the skills I developed whilst at work have had an effect in my private life. I became more sociable with strangers and was more inclined to help people in distress. The skills that have been enhanced over this process are my ability to communicate with others, organise my time and work effectively in a team. These are all important in the sport and leisure industry.
