AFC Bournemouth Commercial Director Rob Mitchell visited Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne to share his insights of working at a Premier League football club and his journey through education that led him there.
The talk took place as a part of Bournemouth University’s BU Big Match week, with Bournemouth University the official partners of the AFC Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur match taking place this Sunday. Rob’s talk to students kicked-off a week of events to highlight the University’s partnership with AFC Bournemouth.
Rob engaged students talking to them about his role at the Premier League club and how his education, including a degree at Bournemouth University in Leisure Marketing, helped him to find his perfect job.
Rob Mitchell said, “It is hugely important for AFC Bournemouth as a whole to be engaged with the community and with schools. If I can use some of my experiences and the journey I have been on to help young people to make the right choices, looking at higher education, then I’m delighted to do so and it is great for the football club too.”
The talk was made possible with links between Bournemouth University and Queen Elizabeth’s School, one of a number of schools that engage with Bournemouth University to give students more information about higher education. BU is engaged in a wide range of activity across the region and is involved in around 500 events with schools and colleges on an annual basis across the country.
Nicola Murray-Fagan is Head of UK Student Recruitment and Outreach at Bournemouth University. She explained, “At BU, we regularly engage with schools and colleges, both regionally and nationally, providing activities, interventions and opportunities for young people that support both their learning and progression into higher education. This talk is just one example of this - it’s a fantastic opportunity for school pupils to learn about a professional’s education journey and where it has taken them.
“A lot of students will have a basic knowledge of the job market, but may not realise that jobs like Rob’s exist within a football clubs. These talks help students to understand what careers are out there and inspire them to think about what they can achieve.”
Other examples of Bournemouth University’s outreach activity include interactive subject-specific workshops; one-to-one mentoring with student ambassadors and residential summer schools giving students the chance to experience university life first-hand, and help them to decide about their education choices.
Martin McLeman, Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s School, said, “It was great to be able to welcome Rob to our School today to talk to students about the importance of education. We are equally pleased that our relationship with Bournemouth University gives students the opportunity to explore higher education – and further their education to reach their fullest potential.”
Other events taking place this week as a part of the BU Big Match week include a public inaugural lecture by Professor Alison McConnell, hosted at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium, on whether world class sport can help to create world class healthcare. On Matchday BU will be providing a range of activity, including the BU Big Band giving entertainment outside the ground.
