Aliakbar Jodiyawalla

Please tell us about your current role and employer 

I am the Golf Operations Manager for JCB Golf and Country Club, an exclusive, invite-only golf venue. 

What does a typical day in your current role look like? 

I’m responsible for looking after customers from the moment they arrive at the club to the moment they leave. As the club primarily caters to corporate clients, we only welcome about forty to fifty golfers each day and prioritise providing excellent customer service. I manage a core team of five staff although this number can increase during the summer months when our schedules are busier.   

What is the journey to getting a job after graduating from Birmingham? 

I worked at a golf club in Stratford-upon-Avon throughout my time studying at Birmingham. Once I graduated, they offered me a promotion to Assistant Golf Manager. After a while I decided I wanted to try working at a different club and I was lucky enough to secure a job at JCB after speaking with a recruiter.  

My Applied Golf Management Studies degree definitely helped when I was job searching. I already had experience however, we spoke about my studies in my interview. Several of my colleagues also studied AGMS so it’s definitely proved a good conversation starter!  

What were the best things about your course? 

One of the best things about my degree was that it didn’t just focus on coaching or sports science. We covered a variety of topics such as finance, psychology and sports marketing which meant that if I decided not to pursue a career in golf management, I could go into a different industry instead.  

The class sizes were small, and I got to know the tutors really well. It definitely felt like a more personal experience, rather than just sitting in the lecturer hall.  

You also get great hands-on experience via the placements you’re encouraged to take. I had friends who travelled and worked in America and Europe – there are a lot of opportunities available to you.  

How did the University’s support service (i.e., Careers Network) help to prepare you for your career? 

I came to university a couple of years after my A-levels and, as I already had a part-time job, I felt quite confident with my peers and building my network.  

The AGMS had excellent placement connections although I stayed local because I studied during the Covid-19 pandemic. Gaining work experience via your placement opportunities certainly helps you to feel more ready for your degree.  

What are your top tips for students graduating today? 

If you’re thinking about joining the course definitely reach out to former student who can talk about the programme. I was actually recommended the course by a former graduate.  

Make sure to use your placements effectively! Lots of students found jobs directly with their placement companies and now use the networks they developed to help secure other opportunities. I’d also recommend you work abroad if you can. It’s a great way to see how other cultures work.   

What was your biggest achievement during your course (personal, professional or academic)?  

I managed to hold down a job for three years and study my degree at the same time. From the second and third year I was working over thirty hours a week and studying around my commitments. I had a really supportive manager and was able to balance both my work and university studies.