Why wouldn’t you?

“I would” might have other connotations in the rugby or boxing fraternity (and that’s from both genders….await outburst!) – but in an expected more ‘pc’ tone, I’m actually referring to things to do with academia (a) employing Lecturers with relevant industry expertise, (b) employing Graduates as a stance in proactive recruitment.

The former comes from my receiving mid-term feedback from my Students at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). There was a constant positive evaluation which filled me with pride. Of course, I prepare ‘hard’ each week and attending students appreciate both my academic rigour, uptodateness (have I made up that word?) and real life practical experience and case studies. Elsewhere, I still see ‘Universities’ which deliver generic, academic marketing content. Or have teaching staff unversed and/or never having actually worked in sports marketing. How do those institutions justify their tuition fees which students commit do readily to – and sometimes long term debts.

That brings me to the second point. Why wouldn’t you seriously look to employing a student. It could be traditional graduate careers or more innovative universities like MMU offer apprenticeship routes in selected sectors.

I have had an astounding success in identifying ‘jobs for the boys/girls’ and bring vacancies into the career advice of universities and colleges which I had the pleasure to represent. Be they project work, research projects, work experience or full-time employment. Whenever I do such there is a chorus of gratitude as these young people are often equipped to ‘hit the ground running’ and sometimes a more affordable and prudent appointment. I work with two international students from MMU and have seen nothing other than added value with no regrets. I also visited a US major sporting brand which has been so impressed with our MMU students that we may become a preferred supplier.

Akin to my marketing profession and commitment to CPD and that never ending thirst for knowledge uptodateness (there I go again!), this Week, I’ve met new personnel that bring additional academic context to prepare our undergraduates for work.

Take a look at what a student can offer and you might just be pleasantly surprised at both their flexibility and capability.

Adrian Stores is a Senior Lecturer on branding and sponsorship in sports at MMU – and CEO at leading agency ACROBAT | FCSM #strategicmarketing #sponsorship #fundraising acrobatfcsm.com @acrobatonline

This post is prepared in a personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of any employing university or client.