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How to Land Your Dream Job in the Sports Industry

Submitted by sponsored.cont… on Fri, 11/14/2014 - 10:28

This article is sponsored by EMLYON Business School.

The global sports industry is booming, valued at approximately €420 billion. It has experienced regular growth of 5% per year over the last 10 years, compared to an average growth of 2.5% worldwide GDP.  The top five global markets combine to represent some 67% of the sector’s worth: US €75 billion; China €24 billion; Japan €15 billion, Brazil €13 billion; and Germany €12 billion.

Interest in sports is at a high, partly as a result of recent major international sporting events. The London 2012 Olympics was the most watched television event in American history according to NBC, with more than 219 million viewers. Conversations about the 2014 Brazil World Cup generated 35 million tweets, the highest in history for any sporting event.

Growing global demand has led to an increasing demand for senior managers equipped with the right skills and experience to lead organizations to take advantage of this growth. So how can the MSc in Sports Industry Management from EMLYON help you to achieve your dream job in the global sports industry?

Network with international sports brands

Exposure to international sports brands and industry experts throughout the MSc in Sports Industry Management helps you to land high-profile positions with top international sports organizations. As a result of EMLYON’s collaboration with the Outdoor Sports Valley and top international sports companies, you have the opportunity to meet and network with over 200 member companies, including adidas, Arc’teryx, Atomic, CNPC Sports, Eider, Lafuma, Mavic, Millet, Odlo, Patagonia, Petzl, Salomon, Tecnica, The North Face, TSL Outdoor, Volcom, Vuarnet and Wilson.

Study in two locations at the heart of the sports sector

The EMLYON MSc in Sports Management is based in Annecy (the Alps), the heart of the sports industry in Europe – and this contributes to the wide range of opportunities to meet, learn from and intern with sports sector leaders. In addition, for one semester, students travel to study in Shanghai, China. This provides an international dimension, allowing students to get close-up insights into the specifics of doing business in Asia, a hugely important world region where the sports industry is flourishing.

Cover a broad range of sports industry topics

The broad range of courses taken throughout the program allows you to access a wide variety of positions within the sports industry, depending on your personal interests. You will study the fundamentals of management theory at EMLYON, followed by specialized sports and outdoor industry courses, such as Sports History, Consumer Behavior, Main Actors of the Industry, Sports Marketing, Sponsorship, Financial Analysis and Macro-Economics for Managers. During the semester in Shanghai, courses include Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, the Asian Business Environment and International Strategies of Firms.

This broad exposure has led to a variety of graduate roles within the sports sector, including Business Engineer, Store Manager, Department Manager, Company Co-founder, Web Marketer and Business Developer, with positions spanning France, Brazil, Switzerland, China, Ireland and the US.

Complete sports internships at top international brands

You are required to complete in-company projects and an internship lasting a minimum of four months as part of the program, in order to gain invaluable business experience, apply your learnings and get those all-important industry names on your CV. Examples of recent sports internships at leading sports brands have included:

  • Global Buying and Visual Merchandising at Salomon
  • Project Management at Puma
  • HR and Recruitment at Nike
  • Digital Marketing at Amer Sports
  • Retail Supplier at Quechua

The Careers Service at EMLYON also provides numerous services to prepare students for sports internships, and for job-hunting in the sports industry. These include career workshops, personal coaching, online job and sports internship offers, corporate roundtables and recruiter visits, as well as conferences and visits to sports and outdoor industry organizations. 

Get inspired by Caio Franco’s success story!

Caio Franco, a graduate of the MSc in Sports Industry Management, is currently working as a Supply Chain Analyst and Buyer for Decathlon in São Paulo. As a pro networker, Caio got in touch with Decathlon whilst he was studying in France. “I decided to go and visit Quechua’s (one of Decathlon’s brands) office in Sallanches, a town located at the heart of The Alps in France  I got an interview with the brand manager for Brazil and he offered me to do a five-month internship at Quechua France before working for Decathlon in the Brazilian office, in São Paulo.”

He gives advice to future students of the MSc in Sports Industry Management on how to land those top sports internships: “Study well in advance which companies you would like to work for in the sports industry. This will be useful for your networking. Also, be open-minded as you will discover different cultures. Learn and be ready to change your mind. You will be able to make this experience your own.”

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Find out how the MSc in Sports Industry Management could help you achieve your dream career in the international sports sector.

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The Growing Popularity of International Study in Germany

Submitted by laura@qs.com on Thu, 11/13/2014 - 12:55

At TopUniversities.com, we’re constantly reminded about the popularity of international study in Germany. Germany is the most-viewed destination in our “Where to Study” section, and (currently at least) the country most often asked-about in our student forums and article comments.

More generally, it’s fair to say Germany is the major success story in the international study market of recent years – and you won’t find many people scratching their heads trying to figure out why. According to the latest Education at a Glance report from the OECD, Germany is now the world’s third leading destination for international study, behind only the US and UK.

While German universities don’t tend towards “superstar” names to rival the likes of MIT or Cambridge, Germany does have a large and consistently strong higher education system, embedded in one of the world’s leading economies. Factor in the absence of tuition fees at public universities in Germany, the large selection of attractive German cities in which to study, and the liberal immigration laws that have made it easier for international graduates to stay on and work in Germany… and it’s pretty easy to see why this thriving nation at the geographic, economic and political heart of Europe is attracting a growing number of students from around the world.

Surge in number of students choosing to study in Germany

In an interview for the QS Top Grad School Guide earlier this year, Ulrich Grothus, deputy secretary general and head of the strategy department at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), said the number of international students in Germany increased from 250,000 to 300,000 in just the last three years. The country looks set to reach its target of 350,000 international students by the end of the decade, and Grothus says that goal looks increasingly conservative. While the target was originally set with the intention of maintain Germany’s market share of international students (currently around 6%), it now seems likely the country’s overall share will increase.

Grothus notes that incoming student numbers have seen particularly strong growth at graduate level; more master’s and PhD students are choosing to study in Germany, not only from other European nations, but also countries such as the US, India and China. He says Germany has benefitted from the implementation of the Bologna Process, which has made it easier for students who have already completed a first degree elsewhere to continue their postgraduate education in Germany.

Meanwhile Joana Rosenkranz, head of international student recruitment at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, identifies Germany’s recently increased prominence in European and international politics as a key contributing factor in its growing appeal for overseas students, alongside greater awareness of the strong Germany economy. “Germany’s role as a European and global economic powerhouse is very attractive to international students,” Rosenkranz says. “Not only does the strong economy fuel Germany’s thriving job industry, characterized by attractive job opportunities, competitive salaries and good benefits, but it also draws talented people from all over the world.”

Opportunities to work in Germany after graduation

It certainly seems that “talented people from all over the world” are coming not only to study in Germany, but also to stay on and seek work. While exact figures are not available, Grothus says recent studies suggest around 50% of international students do stay on to work in Germany. He points out, “Even in comparison with traditional immigration countries like Canada, that is a huge percentage, and it’s increasing rapidly.”

This is thanks not only to the fact that employment prospects in Germany have remained healthy – markedly so compared to many other European nations in the post-financial crisis years – but also to the liberalization of immigration laws over the last decade; whereas German employers previously had to prove that an EU national was unavailable for the position before employing a non-EU applicant, this requirement no longer stands.

The possibility of finding work in Germany after graduation is particularly relevant to those studying at postgraduate level, Rosenkranz says. “Studying in Germany at the master's level opens the door for graduates to enter the German labor market, which, as previously mentioned, is at the moment highly attractive.” She adds, “A master's degree from a German university gives graduates access to a long list of internationally successful German corporations, as well as international companies with European headquarters in Germany.”

Grothus notes that regardless of whether students intend to search for work in Germany, many are aware of the links between Germany’s strong economy and the quality of its higher education system. Highlighting engineering as a field in which links between industrial and educational excellence are especially well-perceived, he comments: “A number of people will assume that if our manufacturing industry does pretty well, that must have something to do with the engineering we teach.”

German universities’ dual focus on research and application

Indian student Nitin Garg, studying for a Masters in Finance at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, agrees that Germany’s combination of educational, economic and reputational strength makes for a winning formula. He identifies three key factors behind his own decision to study here: the good reputation of the individual institution, particularly within the German and European financial sectors; the strong economic climate; and the “German education philosophy”, which he says is characterized by a good balance of theoretical and practical approaches to study.  

A strong dual focus on both research and applied learning is also highlighted by Grothus, when discussing the distinguishing characteristics of German higher education. On the one hand, he points out, Germany is the home of the Humboldt model, which emphasizes strong links between teaching and research. This is true even at undergraduate level, he says, while graduate students can expect an even greater focus on research and independent study. At the same time, German universities are equally known for their strong orientation towards practical application – not just within the Fachhochschule, or Universities of Applied Science, but also within research institutions.

Rosenkranz similarly highlights both practical application and research as fundamental components of the German system. “Higher education in Germany is selective, rigorous, technical and puts great emphasis on apprenticeship and applied learning. There are also numerous opportunities to conduct research during studies at both the bachelor and master’s level. All of these attributes contribute to an education that prepares students for highly competitive careers.”

German as a “larger small language”

The majority of courses at German universities are taught in German, though there is a large and growing selection of graduate-level programs offered in English. Grothus says approximately 10% of programs are now taught in English, and estimates that around a fifth of international students are enrolled in English-taught programs. At graduate level, he says that share is probably higher than a third.

Even for those studying in English, the opportunity to become proficient in the German language holds a strong appeal for many incoming students. As Grothus puts it, German is “a larger small language, so to speak”. It may not have the international reach of languages such as English or Spanish, but nonetheless, he says, “a majority of international students recognize that it’s an advantage to acquire a language that is widely spoken in central Europe and that is of course also the language of a pretty strong economy.” Or in other words, “English is a must and German is a plus.”

US student Katherine Greenup, studying the Master of International Business at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, says her top piece of advice for other international students would be to learn German, even if it seems unnecessary. “Once I began to understand German, I felt so much more connected to the country than before, even in an international, often English-speaking, place like Frankfurt. It really improved my whole experience, not to mention my career outlook.”

Impressive selection of universities, surprisingly low costs

As mentioned above, Germany’s representation in international university rankings is impressive not so much for its top scorers, but for the relatively strong performance of a very large number of institutions. The QS World University Rankings® 2014/15 features only one German institution (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg) in the top 50, but a total of 37 institutions within the global top 500 – a figure beaten only by the US and UK. As a result, international students can choose from a large selection of German universities of consistently and comparably high quality.

This is matched by an equally appealing selection of German cities with lots to offer students. “Living in Frankfurt has exceeded my expectations as an international, but still German, city,” Katherine says. In particular, she says she’s been impressed by the opportunities to network with professionals from a range of countries.

Aside from Frankfurt, other popular options for students include Berlin, the country’s trendy and history-packed capital city; Munich, famed for its fashion scene, manufacturing industry and world-renowned Oktoberfest; Heidelberg, popular with tourists for its attractive red-roofed cityscape and ruined castle, and home to Germany’s highest-ranked university; and Cologne, another major student city known for its stunning twin-spired cathedral and art galleries. Then there are Hamburg, Stuttgart, Münster, Göttingen, Freiburg im Breisgau, Karlsruhe, Tübingen, Aachen and Bonn – all thriving German cities with at least one university ranked among the world’s top 200, and all offering a slightly different perspective from which to explore German culture and history.

Finally, German universities are a relatively low-cost option; there are no tuition fees at public universities, and fees at private schools are also relatively affordable in the global context. Grothus says many international students find their overall expenditure is even lower than they’d expected; this is not only due to the low or non-existent fees, but because living costs are also relatively low compared to other highly developed countries. As he says, “That shouldn’t be the main factor – the education is the main thing – but it’s still a very nice side effect, and a surprise for many students.”

This article is adapted from the QS Top Grad School Guide. The complete guide is available to read online (free to access; site registration required).

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The Real Price of Unpaid Internships: Sutton Trust Report

Submitted by laura.tucker@qs.com on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 17:24

New research published today by The Sutton Trust has confirmed what all unpaid interns knew already – that internships without a wage cost more than many school leavers and graduates can afford.

The Sutton Trust, a UK-based organization committed to improving social mobility in education, today released the report entitled ‘Internship or Indenture?’, questioning the legitimacy of allowing young people to work for free in order to gain valuable work experience.

The report estimates that there are at least 21,000 unpaid interns working in the UK at any one time. While this number accounts for all ages (16 -75), the latest data shows that among this number, almost a third of interning university graduates are not being paid. According to an Ipsos Mori poll, 70% of people aged 16-75 in England agreed that unpaid internships are unfair as they favor those from wealthy families – the only people “likely to be able to work for a significant period without pay”.

Unpaid interns in London must find £900 a month to live

For university graduates, acquiring the money to take on unpaid internships is even harder thanks to unavoidable, and increasing, student loan debt. For those living within the UK capital the problem is exaggerated further, due to the particularly high living costs. The report calculates that (single) unpaid interns living in London can easily spend upwards of UK£900 a month (US$1,400) just to cover rent, bills and food (with the exclusion of transport costs, which may be refunded by the internship provider even for unpaid internships). For a six-month period, the Sutton Trust estimates an expenditure of at least UK£5,556 (US$8,800) in order to be able to work for free.

Outside of London, the price of unpaid internships is lower but still significant. In Manchester, for instance, living costs covering accommodation, bills and food (but excluding transport costs) are expected to total UK£788 (US$1,250) a month, equating to £4,728 (US$7,500) over a six-month period.

Entry-level jobs are more obtainable for past interns

The Sutton Trust also highlights another report conducted by the UK government’s Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, which found that at least half of all entry-level jobs at leading law firms and City investment banks are likely to be filled by graduates who have completed work experience with the company. The Commission also found that on the popular Graduate Talent Pool website, as much as 63% of creative internships, 56% of media-related internships and 42% of financial and professional services internships are unpaid positions.

The Sutton Trust backs minimum wage for unpaid interns

With no promises of a paid job upon finishing an internship, interning without a wage is a risk that only the nation’s wealthiest can afford to take. The Sutton Trust concludes that this has “significant consequences for social mobility”. In order to combat this, it recommends that interns who work for longer than a month in the UK should be provided with at least minimum wage (UK£6.50/US$10 per hour). In addition, the report also recommends that all internship positions are advertised publicly, rather than informally, and that all recruitment processes for interns should be fair, clear, and based on merit.

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A new report from The Sutton Trust suggests unpaid internships cost over £900 a month in living costs, and are impeding social mobility. 

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Win a Scholarship for The New School, New York City

Submitted by sponsored.cont… on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 15:25

For the third year in a row, The New School is providing students across the globe with a unique opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to win a scholarship for five of their undergraduate divisions.

Until 1 February 2015, international applicants interested in beginning undergraduate studies in fall 2015 are able to enter The New School’s scholarship competition and apply to their chosen participating division at the university. The five options are: Parsons The New School for Design (either NYC or Paris campus), Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, The New School for Drama, The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music, and Mannes College The New School for Music. Ten scholarships will be awarded in total (one full- and one partial-tuition scholarship for each of the five schools).

How to enter this scholarship competition

To be in with a chance of winning a scholarship, applicants must answer a series of multiple-choice question sets. During the process, they’ll learn more about the nearly 100-year old institution and its focus on collaboration and project-based learning, which has attracted such notable figures as Woody Allen, Jack Kerouac and Eleanor Roosevelt.

The scholarship competition challenges students to test their skills and suitability for the university and their chosen undergraduate division. The questions will also test their knowledge of global events and issues, as The New School aims to produce global citizens who are able to understand, contribute to, and succeed in a rapidly changing society, and thus make the world a better and more just place.

In addition to completing the multiple-choice quizzes, applicants will submit a video where they will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity as they answer the question: “Why Are You New School?” You can see last year’s winning videos here.

Who can enter the competition?

The New School’s scholarship competition is open to students around the globe who will begin their undergraduate studies in fall 2015. High school students graduating after summer 2015 are also welcome to participate in the competition, win a chance to win one of five iPad minis.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Register for the competition.
  2. Answer the multiple-choice questions.
  3. Submit a video explaining “Why You Are New School”.
  4. Apply to your chosen division of The New School.

Applicants will be judged according to their performance in the quizzes as well as the quality of their video presentations. The winning submission to each division of The New School will be awarded a full-tuition scholarship; second prize winners will win a partial-tuition scholarship.

Learn more about The New School.

Deadline: February 1, 2015

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Interview Dos and Don’ts

Submitted by laura.tucker@qs.com on Tue, 11/11/2014 - 11:48

We’ve all been told a million times how to act or how not to act with various job interview tips we’ve been given over the years, but how many of us can truthfully say we remember everything our parents, teachers and friends told us?

Below are some essential interview dos and don’ts, that should bring together all those diverse sources of advice, to help you ace your next graduate job interview.

Job interview tips – the DOs

DO have a good night’s sleep

You don’t want to be drifting off in front of your would-be boss in a job interview; that much is for sure. But you also don’t want to be yawning, puffy-eyed or just plain tired-looking. Having a good night’s sleep is the numero uno of all job interview tips, simply because you’ll be 100% more ready to take on a challenge when you’re fresh-faced and ready to impress than you would be after a late night of binge-watching Homeland.

DO sit up straight 

We all know that good posture is a fantastic thing to have, but how many of us really think about our posture more than once a month (or even once a year for the Quasimodos amongst us)? It’s easy to forget about posture, which is also why it’s easy to find people in libraries slumped agonizingly over their books, or people in offices haggardly bent over their desks, maybe even while chiding others for slouching. Don’t let this be the impression you present when applying for a graduate job: be confident and open and let your shoulders follow suit.

DO be inquisitive

If you have any questions, ask them. If you don’t, think of some to ask anyway! Although you might think that you should just be answering questions, the job interview is also your opportunity to figure out if you’ll be a good fit in the role and the company. Although you shouldn’t ask about company benefits just yet – see the DON’T list below! – you should show that you’re keen to find out how the company functions, who you’ll be working alongside, what will be expected of you and what company culture is like, to name but a few things.

DO make eye contact

Awarded a mention in every single list of job interview tips ever to written, this point can’t be stressed enough. Make eye contact naturally and don’t fear it – you’ll find that it’s easier when you’re relaxed and open.

DO sell yourself

Just as your CV and cover letter are adverts for your skills and experience, so too is the job interview itself – to an even larger extent. Use the interview time to reiterate the important facts about yourself and what you can offer the company, giving relevant examples of projects you’ve led or assignments you’ve nailed, in line with the interviewer’s questions. Make sure that everything you say is relevant, but also ensure that what you do say sparks passion in your voice – it’s this passion that all interviewers look for!

DO follow up

Forgot about not wanting to sound too eager! Following up with an email or a brief phone call is a way to reiterate your interest, giving you another chance to show your genuine enthusiasm for the role.

DO relax

Nervousness is common before (and during) a graduate job interview, but too many jitters and you may pay the price. If you do get anxious, just remember to breathe normally, speak slowly and try not to wring your hands together. They say it helps if you think of your interviewers naked, but I’d say it helps just as much (if not more) to remind yourself they’re just ordinary people – and they were in your position once!

Job interview tips – the DON’Ts

DON’T cross your arms

Good body language isn’t just something they teach you in samba class, it’s key to making a good impression with anyone you meet, including interviewers. As well as avoiding arm-crossing (which makes you look closed-off), think about other non-verbal cues you’re giving out and what these might suggest to your interviewer. Slouching, eye-rolling, shrugging, lip biting, scowling, puckering, yawning, eye-brow raising; all these things can sometimes have negative connotations so be aware of your body and the signals you’re giving, at least until the employer has gauged your inner brilliance.

DON’T play with your hair

Playing with your hair or touching your face will not only distract from what you’re saying, it may also suggest that you’re nervous, or worse, that you care more about how your hair looks than you do about the job!

DON’T be too intense

Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact every single list of interview dos and don’ts will drum this into your retinas. But beware; too much of the old eye-to-eye can sometimes come across as intimidating, or, at least just that little bit uncomfortable for the person interviewing you. To make sure this doesn’t happen, treat the interview like a conversation with a distant relative; be polite, make eye contact, smile, but also look away once in a while, look at your notes or take in your surroundings while you ponder a difficult question – this will give your employer a chance to relax too.

DON’T be unprepared

It’s alarming how many people turn up to job interviews unprepared, or only partially prepared. You may have memorized the job spec, but if you haven’t researched the company itself, this will spell bad news for you. While this doesn’t mean you should go away and trawl through the last decade of the company’s financial records, you should be aware of the work the company does, any new projects or recent campaigns, what your department in particular has been working on and, most importantly, what you can bring to their team in light of this.

DON’T underdress

Maybe you only have Converse in your footwear collection or have an extreme love of graphic t-shirts, but whatever your personal clothing habits, leave them at the door of the interview office – your habits, that is, not your clothes… An interviewer will be looking for candidates who are well presented and appropriately attired; generally a fresh white shirt, black trousers or skirt and smart black shoes with or without a suit jacket is a good starting point. If in doubt, however, just remember that it’s incredibly hard to overdress for a job interview… unless you’ve decided on a three-piece tweed affair with matching pocket square, that is. (Even this eccentricity would probably be better than an overly casual alternative.)

DON’T ask about money

It may be what you’re most concerned about, but refrain from asking about a starting salary until you’re absolutely certain the employer is interested in taking your application further. Often it’s safer to wait until you’ve been offered the job before you start discussing money – this also has the added bonus of putting you in a better position to negotiate the salary you want, as you will now know that you’re their favorite candidate. Despite this, be careful about your demands – know the going rate for similar graduate jobs in your area and take your skills level into account before trying to raise the company’s offer.

DON'T tell lies

As well as being relevant, passionate, un-slouching and brilliant, you also need to make sure that you genuinely possess all the talents that you say you have. There’s no point in selling yourself for a role which you don’t have the skills to do well; you’ll be let go before you even find the coffee pot! Instead, make the truth sound as good as it possibly can; instead of just saying that you completed an internship, explain why this internship was a valuable experience and what transferable skills it gave you. If there are skills you don’t yet have but are keen to acquire, be open about that too; you won’t be expected to know everything just yet.

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Fretting about a graduate job interview? Read up on these essential job interview dos and don’ts to ensure you make a strong first impression.

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