A UCFB media student has been talking to us about the experience he is receiving, working as a snooker writer for the World Snooker Tour.
Starting his role at the 2023 Cazoo World Snooker Championship, student Tomos Jones has interviewed and written features on elite snooker professionals, including Top 16 stars Kyren Wilson and Gary Wilson.
Tomos said: “I was really pleased to have got this position. I am a big snooker fan, I have been for a few years now. I can now use my passion of snooker to produce media work and gain industry experience.
“When working in a media role, communication skills are vital. I think unless you have the confidence when interviewing professionals, it will be difficult. The more confident you are the more you will get out of the interview.”
When asked about his time at university, where he studies BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism, he added: “I am really enjoying my time at UCFB, it was a massive eye opener. Coming from a rural area in Wales and moving into a metropolitan city was a culture shock, but I adapted to it quickly.
"I have good housemates, people I get on with on my course, and it has changed me for the better, and I can’t wait to start my Third Year.”
Tomos then gave some advice to students: “When you leave university and want a job in industry, it is really important that you gain work experience. The sooner you start getting experience the sooner that you will work your way up the pyramid.
“For example, I started off at Glossop North End which is in the lower divisions of English Football and I have now worked my way up to Crewe Alexandra, and now I am working in elite sport in snooker.”
He added: “Start your experience early, because you will get more opportunities the further that you go along. The later you leave it the more unprepared you will be for the world of work after graduating.
“Don’t think that you are just coming to university to do your degree, in my opinion work experience is just as valuable as your degree. Go out and get yourself known in the industry.”
“If you are currently on a placement , work your socks off because you don’t know what is around the corner. If you are looking to get experience try starting from the bottom, and work your way up.”
To find out more about the work experience and placement opportunities at UCFB, click here.
Alternatively, click here to download a prospectus and see where a sports industry degree from UCFB could take you and your career.
