Work experience placements are hugely beneficial for all our students across our courses here at North Hertfordshire College. By taking part in these placements, students can take the skills and knowledge they’ve learnt in the classroom into an actual workplace to try their hand at the work they’ll be doing themselves in the future, all whilst building a valuable network of industry contacts.
For some of our students, work experience also helps them to explore their interests and test the possibility of starting a career based on their interests. A great example is Zoe Hughes, one of our Level 3 Sports & Exercise Science students who took part in work experience with Formula 1’s Alpine racing team!
Zoe showed her initiative and decided to reach out to multiple teams across the sport to ask if they had any opportunities for work experience placements. Following a positive response from a couple of the teams, she ultimately decided to spend a week with Alpine to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of her favourite sport. Zoe explored a range of roles within the organisation during her placement and shadowed employees in the marketing and events & hospitality teams. She even got to spend some time in the gym, where drivers spend time working on their physical fitness with coaches to prepare for races.
Reflecting on her experience, Zoe said: “I’m glad I was able to do this work experience with Alpine, I really enjoy Formula 1 so it was great to go behind the scenes. I’ve now learnt about a lot of the different roles within an F1 team that are hidden when you’re watching the races on TV. It’s shown me the sorts of things I would want to do in the future.
“I think the best part of the placement was the events I got to participate in. During my week with Alpine, I got to sit in one of the team F1 cars and used the EA F1 simulator to try out driving a simulation of the tracks. After I finish my course at NHC, I hope to go to university to study a similar course, and eventually to work in F1.”
Chris Bentley, one of NHC’s Sports, Coaching & Exercise Science tutors, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for Zoe. We actively encourage our students to be bold when looking for work experience, so it was great to see Zoe show her initiative and find a placement in a sector she’s passionate about.
“Zoe was able to experience first-hand what it’s like to work in the coaching and physical training side of Formula 1, and this hugely complements her studies back in the classroom. We’re proud of Zoe’s achievement in sourcing this placement, and we look forward to seeing our students take part in further exciting opportunities like this one in the future.”
If you’re interested in starting your own career in the sports, coaching & exercise science sector, be sure to check out North Hertfordshire College’s sports courses. With NHC, you can stay close to home as you study a course to go far in your future career.