| Hello Dr Green, |
| I'm here to talk to you about my work placement. |
| Oh yes, it's Holly, isn't it? |
| Yes. |
| So, which work placement have you chosen? |
| I decided to go for the Orion Stadium placement. |
| The event I'll be managing is one where I'm helping to set up a sports competition for primary school children. |
| Yup. That's always a popular placement, |
| even though it can be tougher than you think working with children. |
| I know, but it's the fresh air that attracts me, |
| organising something indoors doesn't have the same appeal, |
| even though it might be fun. |
| OK, so obviously safety's going to be one of your key concerns for this event. |
| Yes, I've already thought about that. |
| I'll need to make sure none of the equipment's damaged. |
| Ah well, you'll be working with schools, so the equipment will be their responsibility. |
| However, the grounds and what goes on there will be yours. |
| Oh I see, |
| that'll include keeping everyone within the boundary once they're in their kit and on the field? |
| Exactly, |
| you'll need to inspect areas like changing rooms as well for anything someone can trip over, |
| but your main priority will be not to lose anyone! |
| Right. |
| I'll need staff to help with that. |
| And don't forget about the spectators. |
| I was thinking that many of them will be parents, who could help run the event. |
| I wouldn't rely on that. |
| They'll be more interested in filming their children than volunteering. |
| I'll need to make sure they don't interfere with events doing that! |
| And that's not always easy, |
| especially when a proud parent's trying to get a snap of their child |
| and you want them to move elsewhere. |
| OK. |
| What about the scheduling? |
| With sporting events there are all sorts of things that can alter the timetable, |
| like rain, for instance, though so far, we've always been lucky with that. |
| Yeah, and I was thinking about what to do if someone got hurt as well. |
| I know that last year that caused a terrible delay. |
| You have to be prepared for such things. |
| Oh. What if a match ends in a draw, |
| do you let the teams keep going until someone wins? |
| That'll be up to you, |
| and again, you need to plan for it. |
| Right. |
| Now, the aim of your work placement is to give you the opportunity to develop the skills that an events manager needs. |
| So, let's talk about those a bit. |
| Well, I think my communication skills are pretty good. |
| I can talk on the phone to people and book venues and that kind of thing. |
| Good, just remember it isn't only about what you say. |
| If you meet someone face-to-face and want to persuade them to be a sponsor, for example... |
| Oh, I'll dress up for that! Sure. |
| Good. |
| Let's go on to think about your organisational skills. |
| You're working in a very people-based industry |
| and that means things won't always go to plan. |
| I guess it's being prepared to make changes that matters. |
| That's right. |
| You may have to make an on-the-spot change to a timetable because of a problem you hadn't anticipated... |
| ...just do it! OK |
| How's your time management these days? |
| I'm working on it, |
| I'm certainly better when I have a deadline, which is why this work suits me. |
| Yes, but it's how you respond as that deadline approaches! |
| I know I've got to look calm even if I'm in a panic. |
| Just think to yourself, |
| no one must know I'm under pressure. |
| Yeah, even though I'm multi-tasking like crazy! |
| Another skill that events managers need is creativity. |
| Often your client has what we call the 'big picture' idea, |
| but it's up to the events manager to think of all the fine points that go to making it work. |
| Right, so I need to listen carefully to that idea and then fill in all the gaps. |
| That's right. |
| And you'll have a team working under you, |
| so another key skill is leadership. |
| Your team may have lots of ideas too, |
| but you've got to make the ultimate choices. |
| Do we have refreshments inside or out, for example? |
| Isn't it better to be democratic? |
| It's a nice idea, but you have the ultimate responsibility. |
| So, believe in what you think best. |
| Be prepared to say 'yes', that's a good idea but it won't work here. |
| I see what you mean. |
| What about the networking side of things? |
| I know it's an area that a lot of students worry about |
| because we don't have much experience to offer others. |
| But even without it, you can still be an interesting person with useful ideas. |
| And the more people you impress, the better. |
| I guess that will help me when I apply for a real job. |
| Exactly, think ahead, remember what your ambitions are and keep them in mind. |
| Definitely. |