There are many exciting career paths within the health and fitness sector, whether you want to be a personal trainer, performance analyst, strength and conditioning coach or sports technologist.

I have been where you are, studying my sport science degree at University and slightly unsure of what my next steps will be and how to get on the employment ladder. Nearly 20 years later though, I am now the CEO of two health and fitness specific businesses, one with an 8 figure turnover and one start-up company.

Get Involved with Sport Societies

Joining a sports society is a good way of achieving both personal and professional development. It is a great way to enhance your work-related capabilities through a fun and enjoyable medium that employers do actually value.

As an employer that recruits a lot of graduates, one of the first aspects of applicants CV’s I look at is their hobbies and interest section. This is because even if you have limited experience, I want to know if you’re someone who has the potential one day to lead a team, have good communication skills, can work as part of a team or function under pressure, all of which can be developed and showcased through sporting related activities.

It is even more impressive if a leadership role within a sporting society comes up, such as captain or event organiser, so don’t be shy if the opportunity arises.

Gain Work Experience

Work Experience is a great way to gain exposure and see what it is really like to be working within your aspiring field, but it is actually so much more than that.

When you apply for jobs in fitness and health, it demonstrates to prospective employers a lot about you as an individual, that you’re proactive, willing to learn, have passion for this career route and that you already have some previous involvement with the role you’re applying for.

Not just do you get you to see first hand the duties and day to day operations of what it would be like working within this sector, but you can start to appreciate a deepening understanding of what you learn at university and how it applies to real world scenarios.

You will pick up technical skills, but also long lasting soft skills that will stay with you, and get the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from someone who is experienced in the job that you’re looking to pursue.

Embrace Volunteering

Volunteering is an alternative way of getting real world exposure whilst simultaneously benefiting a good cause or local community.

Employers look favourably on volunteering as it illustrates the type of human being you are, which is equally as important to what direct skills and hard qualifications you possess.

It will help you mature your interpersonal skills, active listening, patience, initiative and emotional intelligence amongst many other desirable traits.

Try and look for a volunteering job that aligns with your interests and career route as your passion will really come across when interviewing for industry related roles.

Find out more about Active Careers.