Grantham sport student’s career prospects flourish after work experience placement

Hard work pays off!

Level 3 Sport student, Riley Pickwell recently picked up the Work Experience Partners Choice Award 2019 at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club’s (NCCC) awards ceremony after just one week’s worth of work experience at the club. 

As part of any Level 3 programme at Grantham College, students have to complete a minimum of one week’s work experience. Despite having a team of staff who aid students in finding a placement, Riley found his placement independently. Having always wanted to have some experience at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, he figured he had ‘nothing to lose’ by contacting the club and just asking the question. Much to his surprise, he got a ‘yes’ from the club which then turned out to be what Riley describes as “the best work experience I’ve ever had.”

Having done a variety of different placements and experiences such as working in schools, running children’s programmes and playing for a variety of different football and cricket teams, Riley enjoyed his placement at NCCC the most. 

During his placement, Riley was lucky enough to meet Marcus Stoinis as the World Cup was underway at the same time. He also spent time looking out of his office window to see the Australian team in training on the pitch. Other parts of Riley’s work experience included working with the Community Trust Young Project which helps young people come up with ideas and prospects for their future, and he also worked with the PR team working on articles for the website. 

Riley comments: “working with the PR team has taught me something new and will help me with my own sports blog which I have set up. This was a new side of the sporting industry for me and another skill to add to my CV.”

Sports coaching is what Riley would like to go into as a career so his plan is to continue playing as much cricket and football as possible stating that “anything to do with sport; I’m totally up for it – apart from rugby!!” After his time at College, Riley is hoping to go to Leeds Beckett University in September to study a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and will continue to aim high commenting: “I want to get as high as I can and don’t want to lose what I’ve achieved over the past few years.”