Graduate uses UCFB executive education course to secure dream sports industry career

A UCFB graduate now working in the Football League has been talking about how the course helped him secure a role in the sports industry.

Jason Futers, who studied our CEO of a Sports Organisation executive education course alongside VSI Executive Education, now works as chief growth and innovation officer at Lincoln City.

Prior to this, Jason had worked in a multitude of executive roles across a wide range of industries, from data intelligence to software development.

He spoke to us about how the course prepared him for employment within the sports industry, and how others can transition from other industries into their dream career within sport.

“I got the fundamentals from VSI,” Jason said, “and that was a fantastic base that I could then use and work out how my skills could add value to the industry.”

Speaking about his experience on the CEO of a Sports Organisation course, Jason said: “Academically, it was really robust and I had a great time. There was a lot of creativity. It was really good fun.

“We came to Manchester two days per month and we were really engaged, talking about topics that I think we were challenging each other on. I suspect the rest of the cohort would agree that it was challenging, but in a really positive way. I certainly loved it!”

He continued: “After I’d done the VSI course, I started to get a sense that it would be really satisfying on a day-to-day basis to work with people in football.

“The cohort were fantastic and the network itself is fantastic. That is how I was introduced to various clubs, including Lincoln City.”

He finished, offering advice to people working outside of sport wanting that dream career: “I think a part of the course is actual experience and values, but also just thinking a bit differently.

“I would definitely encourage people who have been in careers in completely different industries to not worry about the widgets and the products, the solutions and the services, but to think about the mindset and how you can challenge the existing mindset within sport and football.”

Alongside VSI Executive Education, UCFB also runs an executive education course in MSc Sports Directorship.

See our wide range of other postgraduate degree courses tailored to the sports industry, from media and coaching to business and marketing.