Emily's Journey: Discovering New Possibilities in Sport
Carlton College of Sport students have achieved so much across their time at the Carlton Football Club. Hear from one of our current students who has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
Emily knew she wanted a future in sport long before graduating high school.
Having grown up loving football, she spent time exploring university options before finding a pathway that felt right.
"I realised I didn't want to jump straight into a bachelor degree. When I visited different football club programs, I fell in love with Carlton's."
After learning about the Carlton College of Sport (CCoS) through a close friend, Emily quickly recognised the value of studying in a professional sporting environment.
One of her favourite subjects has been Organisational Behaviour, which helped her better understand both herself and others.
"The personality tests were really insightful and helped me learn a lot about my habits and behaviour."
Emily believes one strength of CCoS is the combination of classroom theory, practical application and industry exposure. It is this blend of learning styles that allows all students to flourish.
"We learn important lessons in the classroom and then get opportunities to apply them in real-life situations. That's what makes the experience so valuable."
Like many students, staying motivated with assignments was occasionally challenging. Adapting to university-level study is a step up from secondary school, and places much more emphasis on independence and owning your journey.
"The people around me have been a huge support and helped keep me motivated to get things done."
Through placement, Emily has discovered a genuine passion for fan engagement and continues to discover new aspects of the sport industry that appeal to her.
Her favourite opportunities have come on AFL game days.
"I love engaging with fans and contributing to making their game day memorable. Whether it's helping in the Junior ‘Baggers Zone or supporting the mascots, it's amazing seeing the impact those experiences have on kids."
Experiencing the behind-the-scenes operations of a football club has also given Emily a new appreciation for the preparation and execution of event delivery.
"You don't realise how many people it takes to make a game day happen. So many people work incredibly hard to create the atmosphere footy fans know and love."
These experiences have helped shape her future ambitions.
"I've realised I'd love to work in sports media or activations. Spending time with club staff and seeing what they do has been really inspiring."
Emily credits CCoS with helping her develop professionally.
"It has helped me build confidence when talking to new people and learning how to network effectively."
When asked to sum up her experience in one sentence, her answer is simple:
"CCoS was the best decision I made coming straight out of high school."
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