Business graduate into the Motorsport
Discussion
Hello and Good Afternoon
I am a business student heading towards graduation this summer. I have found that one day, sooner rather than later, I would like to progress into the Motorsport industry. What i am looking to find with this post is if anyone on these forums has knowledge on the types of positions that would exist in the industry to a business graduate. I obviously do my own research with trusty google but the positions do not seem to be so clear or even advertised.
I'd be welcome to any suggestions or advice, thank you.
I am a business student heading towards graduation this summer. I have found that one day, sooner rather than later, I would like to progress into the Motorsport industry. What i am looking to find with this post is if anyone on these forums has knowledge on the types of positions that would exist in the industry to a business graduate. I obviously do my own research with trusty google but the positions do not seem to be so clear or even advertised.
I'd be welcome to any suggestions or advice, thank you.
Probably best if you'd posted in "General Motorsport"? Mods, could you help this chap out?
With budgets as tight as they are across even the most (perceived as) "professional" teams, there will not be a lot of positions available. Think of what your wage or salary could be spent on? Other than on you of course.
Sponsorship is key, so if you could demonstrate a track record of procuring sponsorship for a team (or teams), and this was something that you were really, really successful at, then an amount of the sponsorship that you procure could pay your salary.
Think about this: drivers have to bring a lot of money onto the table before they are offered a seat. Your "position" would have to bring profit into the team. What would you be able to offer that could achieve this?
Good luck!
With budgets as tight as they are across even the most (perceived as) "professional" teams, there will not be a lot of positions available. Think of what your wage or salary could be spent on? Other than on you of course.
Sponsorship is key, so if you could demonstrate a track record of procuring sponsorship for a team (or teams), and this was something that you were really, really successful at, then an amount of the sponsorship that you procure could pay your salary.
Think about this: drivers have to bring a lot of money onto the table before they are offered a seat. Your "position" would have to bring profit into the team. What would you be able to offer that could achieve this?
Good luck!
I initially posted it in there but it got moved here!
But yes anyway, thank you for the response. Some good points, especially with the budgets. I think this is the case with every position in any situation.. where and how does that employee or component add value to justify that position. I'm also thinking out the box though as well, with suppliers or outside agencies who are linked with the sector.
I am very aware of the experience factor as this is more of a long term goal. This is more starting to do my research at this stage of my development and build some solid knowledge for further down the line.
But yes anyway, thank you for the response. Some good points, especially with the budgets. I think this is the case with every position in any situation.. where and how does that employee or component add value to justify that position. I'm also thinking out the box though as well, with suppliers or outside agencies who are linked with the sector.
I am very aware of the experience factor as this is more of a long term goal. This is more starting to do my research at this stage of my development and build some solid knowledge for further down the line.
Hamish Finn said:
Sponsorship is key
The VSCC* were around Xmas advertising some roles in Motorsport Admin. In the past, previous post holders have been internally promoted and some have gone on to work at Silverstone/BRDC or Prodrive and Force India. Other clubs (AMOC, BARC) may have similar roles.You could also consider some of the roles that would be available at somewhere like Bicester Heritage, which has started with building restoration and lettings. Now they have a car storage business with plans; that include accommodation and transportation (ie delivery to Classic European events!). The various tenants are involved in sales, restoration, race preparation and even race series organisation. However like most start ups these are lean organisations with the directors also on the spanners/broom.
Of course the standard advice on PH, has been to use your business degree to earn a few million, then spend that in Motorsport.
- The VSCC organises over 25 MSA authorised events a year: Circuit, Hillclimb, Trials, Nav Rallies, Tests. So a lots of admin, PR, Elf'nSafety, sponsors and weekend working.
McLaren and Ferrari take Grads, but as you can imagine the scheme's are very popular. If you don't have an Oxbridge education you will struggle.
Other option is to go into an industry such as Defense/Aerospace (bigger the better, think THALES and BAE) where you can learn transferable skills. Or the lager Automotive companies such as Honda, Nissan, JLR etc. Or if you want to go abroad, pretty much any of the big Automotive companies will take a decent Grad, you can then move to Motorsport.
I made the jump to Motorsport from Aerospace.
Note though that most of the Motorsport 'Managers' are engineers first.
To get straight in Procurement or Marketing is your best bet with a Business degree.
Other option is to go into an industry such as Defense/Aerospace (bigger the better, think THALES and BAE) where you can learn transferable skills. Or the lager Automotive companies such as Honda, Nissan, JLR etc. Or if you want to go abroad, pretty much any of the big Automotive companies will take a decent Grad, you can then move to Motorsport.
I made the jump to Motorsport from Aerospace.
Note though that most of the Motorsport 'Managers' are engineers first.
To get straight in Procurement or Marketing is your best bet with a Business degree.
davepen said:
Hamish Finn said:
Sponsorship is key
The VSCC* were around Xmas advertising some roles in Motorsport Admin. In the past, previous post holders have been internally promoted and some have gone on to work at Silverstone/BRDC or Prodrive and Force India. Other clubs (AMOC, BARC) may have similar roles.You could also consider some of the roles that would be available at somewhere like Bicester Heritage, which has started with building restoration and lettings. Now they have a car storage business with plans; that include accommodation and transportation (ie delivery to Classic European events!). The various tenants are involved in sales, restoration, race preparation and even race series organisation. However like most start ups these are lean organisations with the directors also on the spanners/broom.
Of course the standard advice on PH, has been to use your business degree to earn a few million, then spend that in Motorsport.
- The VSCC organises over 25 MSA authorised events a year: Circuit, Hillclimb, Trials, Nav Rallies, Tests. So a lots of admin, PR, Elf'nSafety, sponsors and weekend working.
edc said:
What is it you actually want to do as a job? All businesses need back office/business/finance/administrationHR roles to some degree or other. What's to stop you pursuing a career and using your skills and experience to transfer into the Motorsport industry later on?
I'm very open to where I start to be honest, I think I have a lot of skills which could apply to many different roles. I think that's the option I may have to take.... keep it as a one eye on it for a later date Bertrum said:
McLaren and Ferrari take Grads, but as you can imagine the scheme's are very popular. If you don't have an Oxbridge education you will struggle.
Other option is to go into an industry such as Defense/Aerospace (bigger the better, think THALES and BAE) where you can learn transferable skills. Or the lager Automotive companies such as Honda, Nissan, JLR etc. Or if you want to go abroad, pretty much any of the big Automotive companies will take a decent Grad, you can then move to Motorsport.
I made the jump to Motorsport from Aerospace.
Note though that most of the Motorsport 'Managers' are engineers first.
To get straight in Procurement or Marketing is your best bet with a Business degree.
Yeah I'm aware of those schemes and the entry requirements, maybe a little far away at this moment in time.Other option is to go into an industry such as Defense/Aerospace (bigger the better, think THALES and BAE) where you can learn transferable skills. Or the lager Automotive companies such as Honda, Nissan, JLR etc. Or if you want to go abroad, pretty much any of the big Automotive companies will take a decent Grad, you can then move to Motorsport.
I made the jump to Motorsport from Aerospace.
Note though that most of the Motorsport 'Managers' are engineers first.
To get straight in Procurement or Marketing is your best bet with a Business degree.
I have heard THALES mentioned before, sounds like a rather exciting organisation from what I hear. I thought this may be the case, gaining relevant experience and transferring it over. But yeah thanks for the response, refreshed some information in my head.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your role in the industry at the moment?
BenEvans94 said:
edc said:
What is it you actually want to do as a job? All businesses need back office/business/finance/administrationHR roles to some degree or other. What's to stop you pursuing a career and using your skills and experience to transfer into the Motorsport industry later on?
I'm very open to where I start to be honest, I think I have a lot of skills which could apply to many different roles. I think that's the option I may have to take.... keep it as a one eye on it for a later date BenEvans94 said:
Yeah I'm aware of those schemes and the entry requirements, maybe a little far away at this moment in time.
I have heard THALES mentioned before, sounds like a rather exciting organisation from what I hear. I thought this may be the case, gaining relevant experience and transferring it over. But yeah thanks for the response, refreshed some information in my head.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your role in the industry at the moment?
I was in Procurement, which was great but a PITA at the same time taught me a lot though. I have heard THALES mentioned before, sounds like a rather exciting organisation from what I hear. I thought this may be the case, gaining relevant experience and transferring it over. But yeah thanks for the response, refreshed some information in my head.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your role in the industry at the moment?
I've now left and after a 2 year stint in BAE Systems, (which is as good a place as THALES) I now work for the NHS!! Decided I wanted to make a difference, well at least try.
You don't say, Why? Are you already involved in Motorsport? Driving, helping friends who drive, bit of spannering?
All good advice above (as if I could tell) but how about some Pro Bono work. as the lawyers would say, helping out a small, struggling team?
Same as anyone else who 'wants to get into motorsport'. Get into it at whatever level is open to you.
You'll hear more about the industry in the paddock.
John
All good advice above (as if I could tell) but how about some Pro Bono work. as the lawyers would say, helping out a small, struggling team?
Same as anyone else who 'wants to get into motorsport'. Get into it at whatever level is open to you.
You'll hear more about the industry in the paddock.
John
Porsche used to take interns on iirc a year long placement to work on the Carrera Cup. I actually went to the assessment centre in what must have been late 2012 (highlight of the day - having a look around the customer garage which was full of Carrera GTs as well as an assortment of GT and RS models).
Not too close to home but I found this on their careers site.
https://jobs.porsche.com/index.php?ac=jobad&id...
Not too close to home but I found this on their careers site.
https://jobs.porsche.com/index.php?ac=jobad&id...
As for why, I just generally enjoy Motorsport and the buzz about it. So with that in mind I'm trying to stick with a saying a wise man once told me, 'find something you enjoy and get paid for doing it'.
Yeah, I don't mind with the helping out or volunteering part initially, I went down to a local race track before, didn't really do much anything to be honest but I got chatting and helping a few people, actually pretty interesting even just grass roots.
Thanks for the link to the porsche site, I'm already aware of their regular offering but I'm going to keep a closer eye on it from now on.
Yeah, I don't mind with the helping out or volunteering part initially, I went down to a local race track before, didn't really do much anything to be honest but I got chatting and helping a few people, actually pretty interesting even just grass roots.
Thanks for the link to the porsche site, I'm already aware of their regular offering but I'm going to keep a closer eye on it from now on.
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