Marcus Burgess
BA (Hons) Sports Management with Placement, 2019
About me
- Assistant Merchandiser at Fanatics
- Studied: BA (Hons) Sports Management with Placement, 2019
- Contact me on LinkedIn
ABOUT MY CAREER
My first job after graduating was “Merchandise Assistant” at Fanatics. I secured this role by building relationships through career events and networking. By the time I applied for the position, they were already aware of my passion for the industry and knew I would be a great fit for the company.
I have now been at Fanatics for just under two years and I have recently been promoted to “Assistant Merchandiser”. This role focuses on supporting the Merchandiser to ensure that our fans can buy great quality fan wear when and where they want and at the right price, focusing on stock control, driving sales and profit.
My time at university allowed me to meet like-minded individuals and build strong networks within the sports industry that no doubt will last a lifetime. Manchester Met provided me with a platform to grow, gain professionalism and communication skills that have no doubt accelerated my development and given me the opportunity to work in a field I am passionate about, but more importantly, enjoy!
During my studies, I also completed a placement year. I have to say this was my most important year at university and I recommend to anyone to complete a year in industry. This really allowed me to get valuable insights into the day-to-day life of work and helped me grow as a person. When I returned to university after this year, I felt like a completely different person. It allowed me to focus on my studies and develop skills that provided a key advantage when applying for graduate jobs that non-placement students didn’t have.
The Career Hub area was a massive help to me, allowing me to drop in and get advice on applications and CVs, to ensure I was standing out from the competition. In addition, I had a sport scholarship throughout my time at university. The support the Manchester Met Sports team gave me throughout my time went above and beyond what was required, so I can’t thank them enough for all the support and guidance they gave me.
MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS IS
My top tip for students would be to not sit back and expect job roles and offers to come to you. It is about going out of your way to prove you are the right candidate for the role. Whether that be reaching out over LinkedIn, or gaining extra volunteer experience to ensure you’ve got the right skill set for the role you want. It is all about pushing the boundaries and making yourself heard. At the end of the day, you are competing against your fellow colleagues.
I’M INSPIRED BY
Making my family proud and to continuously improving and bettering myself day to day.
WHY I LOVE MANCHESTER MET
The endless support given to students. Even now as a graduate, my previous tutors are always a phone call/email away if I have anything to ask. It is like one big family.