Following the largest ESA Diploma intake ever, 57 students successfully graduated in 2017. Our top student, atypical 2017 Diploma graduate, Phil Horswill gives us the lowdown:
How did the Diploma course meet, or exceed, your expectations?
I enrolled on the Diploma course to get a foothold in the sports sponsorship industry. I work in Europe for a financial organisation, and the fact that the course seminars and other materials are available on-line provides an opportunity to ‘attend’ when physical attendance isn’t always possible. The quality of the seminars is very high, with interesting speakers, and I know that this has given me the most up-to-date perspectives from within the industry itself. In that respect, the course exceeded my expectations.
The quality of the seminars is very high, with interesting speakers, and I know that this has given me the most up-to-date perspectives from within the industry itself. In that respect, the course exceeded my expectations.
It is worth underscoring that the insider-view is an advantage over typical education programmes. When you are coming from outside the industry as I am, the Diploma gives the perfect opportunity to measure yourself and gain confidence that you are stepping in the right direction.
What elements of the course have you incorporated into your day-to-day work?
In my day-to-day work I’m not currently involved with sponsorship, but my organisation does sponsor one of the top Bundesliga teams. The Diploma has helped me see this arrangement from the perspective of both the rights-holder and of the sponsor. Having completed the Diploma, I’m perhaps now in a position to get involved with that partnership, and it’s an avenue I will follow in the near future.
I believe the Diploma has been successful in helping me recognise several areas that are already a good fit with my current day-to-day work and experience.
One of the objectives for me in attending the Diploma course, was that it would open some doors and start some conversations … and the partnership in my current workplace is just one example of that. I was interested to understand which of my current skill-sets are transferable into the sponsorship industry, and I believe the Diploma has been successful in helping me recognise several areas that are already a good fit with my current day-to-day work and experience.
What key advice could you pass onto the next students that study for the ESA Diploma?
Immerse yourself in the seminar topics; make sure you read all the excellent materials provided; and take time to research for yourself outside of the materials provided.
Immerse yourself in the seminar topics.
Give yourself plenty of time to do this, and don’t leave each activity until the last minute. Setting the time aside is really important … you want to ‘enjoy’ rather than ‘stress’ … and if you do enjoy the learning then your engagement with the topics will be apparent.
What was your favourite / most enlightening moment during the learning process?
In fact, three moments spring to mind. The first was actually during the very first seminar when I saw all the other attendees and learned that most were sports industry professionals, coming from football clubs, national sports associations and so on. I immediately felt that my decision to enrol was the right one.
My goal is to get into the sports industry, and here I was, learning with the sports industry. It felt that I was in the right place.
My goal is to get into the sports industry, and here I was learning with the sports industry. It felt that I was in the right place. The second moment was when I received feedback for the initial assignment. I think everyone will agree that you approach that day with some trepidation, but the feedback was good, and importantly it was very constructive, and was the perfect encouragement to go on with the other assignments.
The third moment was ‘results day’. As anyone who has attempted to change in career knows, making the decision to do so can be hard, and it can be a daunting and emotional journey.
Having a good result is affirmation that you can take steps outside your current boundaries
Having a good result is affirmation that you can take steps outside your current boundaries, and achieving the ESA Diploma gives me a platform to step further into the sports industry.
Any parting words?
I would like to add a word of “thanks” to the ESA team in giving me the opportunity to attend the Diploma, and especially to Peter Raymond whose support is very much appreciated.
You can find Phil at: www.linkedin.com/in/channelfootball