Current role
I am currently Director of Instruction at MIGA, the largest golf academy in Shanghai, China with a team of 16 coaches. My responsibility is for my students as well as the coaching direction and initiatives for our team of Chinese and International coaches.
After graduating I spent a year coaching golf on a Cruise Ship, travelling around the world. Then time with Nike at their coaching camps in Pebble Beach, California before a few coaching trips around the world to pick up more knowledge to develop my career and then moving to China in 2014.
How did the course fit with your own interests and needs?
AGMS covered many of the aspects of being in the golf industry, whilst offering enough personal freedom to decide which of these was most applicable. The addition of summer placements meant that at the end of the degree I was left with my Undergraduate degree AND my PGA qualifications, as well as a firm knowledge of what direction I wanted to head in.
What benefits did you gain from your course?
Applied Golf Management Studies gave me a solid understanding of the golf industry, both from a theoretical and practical standpoint – whilst conducting two placements gave me the network of contacts within the industry. I started work three days after my final exam, working for the same manager who employed me on a placement between Years 2 and 3.
How did you find your first year in Birmingham?
Action packed. Wanting to keep up my level of golf, whilst also taking on the assignments / tasks / lectures, and the social scene of Birmingham, led to a very packed schedule, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The year passed as a blur, but with so many new experiences and things learnt that I could then build on for the next 2 years as I continued through University.
What are your career aspirations?
My career aspirations include further developing the work I am doing in video creation which is growing my and the Academy's brand and leading to many new opportunities. Moving away from the ‘hour by hour’ business model will give me more time to spend on other areas (self-development) that interest me in coaching, as well as boosting the income to lead to my ultimate goal of opening a foundation to help disadvantaged young children get a better start in life.
How did going to University benefit you?
With all the things to do in a standard week, I had to master time management and how to ensure I did well in the academic, sporting and social side of University. I learnt how to network and meet all kinds of people that I could collaborate / work and learn alongside with has been hugely useful in what I’ve gone on to do. University taught me to think outside of the box and to look at the success of many other students to decide what I aimed to achieve in my career.
How did you find campus life?
Living close to lectures (other than off campus lectures at The Belfry) was great for being so close to lecturers / library for doing all the work needed. Downtown Birmingham was there for evenings and spare time, but it was great to be a little away from that to be able to focus on study when needed too!
How did you find living in Birmingham?
The student community in Birmingham was one of the main benefits of studying here. The huge variety of students from around the world, studying several topics, with all kinds of background / goals and ideas, was fun to be a part of. I didn’t expect to meet so many people during my studies and to be left with many lifelong friends as well as many that have been a big part of my career and direction that it has taken so far.
Advice for current students
Say yes to as many opportunities as you can, to leave yourself with no regrets. I was able to dramatically grow my knowledge and network due to my time at University and that was entirely worth the hectic schedule that led to achieving that. You have a fantastic opportunity to be at such a renowned and respected University with many of the top courses and lecturers in the world, make the most of it, your future self will thank you.