What can Jacob do?
Give a quick overview of your work experience (jobs, internships, volunteering)?
I currently work at an Auction House as my main job, but I want to make a career in sport. I did some Uni placement with Glenelg FC as a Rehabilitation Assistant for one year which was great fun as well as training clients in a gym. I have also recently started working at Champion Data as a Caller which I have loved every moment. I have also recently started a volunteer role with Geelong AFLW team as a Scout which I have also loved doing as it relates to the career path I want to take.
What technical or industry-specific skills do you bring?
Over the last few months from working at Champion Data my Talent Identification skills have improved significantly, as I feel like I can recognise players a lot easier now. Being able to identify the elite talent I feel I am also confident in as they can stand out from the rest in certain aspects and skills. Being able to identify list needs from a club point of view I believe I am also strong at which has helped from playing SANFL juniors and being around high level teams as it has given me a good idea of what teams are trying to achieve and how they want to play
What tools/platforms/software are they proficient in?
Excel, Word, Powerpoint, and I can learn quickly from computer skills that are taught to me over time as I improve the more I do things
What qualifications, certifications, or degrees do you hold?
Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science and a Certificate in Talent Identification & Recruiting with Apogee Sports
I am committed and driven to be the best person I can be both in a personal setting and professional setting and believe I am a very hard worker.
I feel like I am ready to put my all into building my career. Since I finished my Uni degree, I have never really felt like I've had a direction of where I want to go, but now I know where I want to go and I am ready to chase that dream. I am committed and driven to be the best person I can be both in a personal setting and professional setting and believe I am a very hard worker. I thrive at working in teams where there is a common goal to work through and I am supportive of everyone
What steps has Jacob taken to break into the sports industry?
Over the last few months I have been posting Talent Identification content on LinkedIn to get my name out there. The content has been based around U18 Draft content both in the Boys & Girls Competitions to broaden my range and not be pigeonholed to one aspect of footy. I have tried to connect with as many people related to the field I want to pursue my career , but I haven't really interacted with too many people, I just have them as a connection at the moment.
Jacob’s interest in sport all started from being involved in sport from a very young age
I have been involved in sport all my life and have loved every minute I have played footy and cricket. Unfortunately over the last few years I have had injuries and concussions which has forced me to stop playing Footy especially, so I have felt like I want to stay involved in sport by having a career in it so I don't get lost to it. I love the culture of being in a sporting environment as I can surround myself with like-minded people who are trying to achieve similar goals to me
Where does Jacob want to go?
Next 6 - 12 months | Next 5 - 10 years |
|---|---|
My dream goal over the next 6-12 months would be to have a full-time job in sport, especially AFL. Over the last few months I have realised my dream and goals I want to achieve with my work and I feel like I'm ready to jump at opportunities to grow. I want to keep bettering myself every day as well in any and every aspect of my life so that I can be comfortable with what I do so I can enjoy a happy life. In terms of life goals I would love to have a stable job which would allow me to try and move out with my partner which would be incredibly rewarding for putting in the hard work to get where I want to go | Still working full-time in the sports industry, ideally still in AFL. Hopefully within that time I have grown professionally and would now be able to help new people trying to break into the industry by mentoring them or giving them advice on how to achieve their goals. |
What sporting problem keeps Jacob up at night, and how would you solve it?
One thing I would like to figure out is how the best teams in the AFL manage to stay up the top of the ladder all the time and recruit so well and trying to replicate that framework at another club to try and give them the same success
What is Jacob like?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
An environment where everyone wants to be the best they can be while also having a bit of fun along the way. I am a person that doesn't like to take life too seriously, so I like to mix a bit of fun time in when appropriate.
When have you had to show resilience in your life or career?
Probably the last few years when I have had injuries that have stopped me from playing any sport at all. As sport has been my life for almost 20 years it was hard to be away from sport and being around the culture and enjoyment of playing. But recently I have found a way to stay involved in footy with my job at Champion Data and the Volunteer Scout at Geelong which I have loved as I am still involved and making an impact in the game of Footy without actually playing it
What about Jacob interests outside of work?
What are your interests outside of work?
When I'm not playing sport, I'm pretty much watching it. If I could watch all 9 games of AFL & every day of a Test Match all in one I could, but I obviously don't have the opportunity to do that. When I'm not injured I love to stay fit either at the gym, walks or runs. I also love seeing my partner, our families and my friends as they make me happy and enjoy my life outside of work
What is your favourite sporting moment?
There hasn't been too much recently being a Sydney fan, most of those recent moments have been haunting. But the 2012 Premiership still gives me goosebumps and tears whenever I watch back Malceski's final goal of the game. I was also lucky enough to attend the last day of the Adelaide Ashes Test last summer to see us retain the Ashes which was a cool moment to witness. But maybe my favourite ever memory would be the 2022 Prelim final between Sydney and Collingwood. It was the best game I have ever been to and the atmosphere of the crowd was just unbelievable to witness and Sydney winning by a point put the cherry on top. We won't talk about what happened the next week though.
What’s your ideal holiday?
Somewhere that is warm and allows you to explore. I have always wanted to go to a place like New Zealand with my girlfriend as it just looks like such an amazing place to go and the people seem very similar to Australians
If you had 30 minutes to pick the brain of anyone, who would it be and why?
Steve Smith would be a great brain to pick, because even though he's one of the best cricketers ever, he is a bit odd. My all-time favourite AFL players are Adam Goodes and Buddy Franklin and then current is probably Errol Gulden so those would be good ones to pick the brains of. Also Ricky Ponting
What’s one book or podcast that’s helped your career you recommend?
I have recently started 'Deal Maker' written by Peter Ryan about Scott Clayton's journey in Recruiting and List Management. I has been fascinating to learn what Recruiters go through on a day-to-day basis and how their decision directly impact a club's journey
Additional details
Where in the world are you located, and where are you open to work?
Living in Adelaide, would prefer to work in Adelaide but if there is an opportunity to chase my dreams interstate then I am open to it
What is the most important consideration for you in your next role?
A supportive working environment that mixes well between taking things seriously when we need to, but also having a bit of fun. Also a workplace that allows opportunities to improve on yourself and develop
What others say about Jacob
People have said that I am a kind and caring person who thinks of everyone. In a work setting, I think my co-workers would say that I am a hard worker but also know when to relax a bit and have fun
What questions does Jacob have for employers?
What can I do myself to help the club/workplace be the best it can be
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