How Griffith’s industry mentoring program enhanced my degree
Final year university students always have a lot to stress about. Not only do we have exams to focus on, but we also need to think about being job-ready for life following graduation. The job market is competitive and some industries are difficult to break into, which is why I decided to sign up for the Industry Mentoring Program.
The Griffith Industry Mentoring program has connected Griffith students with industry professionals based in Southeast Queensland and beyond for over 25 years. Industry mentors volunteer their time to coach and support current Griffith undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students via a series of in-person and online interactions.
As a Bachelor of Sport Management/Bachelor of Marketing student, I had several mentors to choose from. I chose Thomas Beverley, the Media & Communications Manager at the Gold Coast Suns. He shares the same passion as I do for sport and his background aligns closely to my own degrees. I was very interested in how he broke into the industry and how his career journey progressed.
I had a very positive experience with the Industry Mentoring Program. I was able to gain insight on how to stand out and make an impression when applying for jobs and gain experiences that are not possible in the classroom, like attending press conferences and being with the media crew at the Gold Coast Suns home game days!
The advice Tom offered, the connections he helped me make and the assistance he provided planning the next phase of my career made him a great mentor. Without Tom I wouldn’t be as clear on how to apply the lessons from my degree to my work as a professional in the sports industry.
Having a great mentor was a big reason why the Industry Mentoring Program was such a positive experience, but it’s important to remember that it all comes down to what you put into it too. My advice is to be proactive, be open to the advice you receive from your mentor, show leadership and drive the direction of the program. By doing this, you will feel more confident about the future and certain about how to deal with challenges.
My sights are now firmly set on a career in the sports industry. Thanks to my mentor, I have a much stronger network of contacts and a much clearer plan on how to forge a career in this industry. I’m ready to take on the world when I graduate at the end of this year, and this is all down to my involvement in the Industry Mentoring Program.
Lara Simpson, Bachelor of Sports Management / Bachelor of Marketing