Through the EEA’s embedded industry experience within Essendon Football Club, he’s now working alongside professionals at his boyhood club building skills, confidence and relationships, while studying a dual Diploma of Business, Diploma of Leadership and Management with RMIT University.
Career change? Or career progression? Why study now?
Q: Your LinkedIn shows a strong track record in media and content creation across various sporting clubs and programs, including RMIT Active, since graduating from St Bernards in 2016. What inspired you to return to study, and how do you see the EEA program adding value to your career path?
A: I was fortunate enough to gain a lot of experience in community media outlets which landed me opportunities to work in commercial media in various spaces, but I always wanted to earn that piece of paper and challenge myself. While I appreciated school, I didn’t always feel like the academic path was where I excelled, so taking on further study felt like a big step. When a little roadblock hit in my career it allowed me to re-evaluate and I thought to myself “you’ve got nothing to lose, you’ll only gain from this so let’s have a crack.”
Studying at the EEA through RMIT University will add tremendous value to my career and strengthen my credibility and resume, I do want to continue and study further past this year in hopes to get a Bachelor’s degree in business but having this year to gain experience in a professional sporting organisation by networking with industry professionals all whilst studying is an opportunity I’m very fortunate to have been given.
Meaningful highlights to date
Q: You’ve had some incredible placement experiences already, like hosting a Q&A with EFC player Peter Wright, creating an EEA promo video that aired on Game Day at Marvel Stadium, filming Football Development with Dustin Fletcher, and joining the EFC’s video team through the EEA’s Sports Business Placement Program. What have these opportunities meant to you?
A: It’s meant everything and more. On a deeper level, being given the chance and, more importantly, being trusted to undertake these opportunities and represent my boyhood club in such a way reassures me more than ever that going down this path and perusing this career is the right thing to do. Being given these opportunities as students does more to our confidence and helps shape us professionally more than one would think.
My favourite placement so far has been going away with the AFLW team on their pre-season camp to the ADF Army base at Puckapunyal where I was working as the Digital Creator for the camp. I was the videographer for the camp, with my main responsibility being capturing moments from the camp that give fans an inside look into what it takes to prepare for the upcoming AFLW season. Being trusted by the Essendon FC Digital Team to go on this trip alone and create content for all of Essendon’s social media platforms was the biggest honour. On a personal note, being part of the camp was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Stepping outside my comfort zone and adapting to new environments is something I’ll definitely carry with me throughout the year and beyond.
Eyes on the goal
Q: What’s your ultimate career goal, and how is this experience helping you work towards it?
A: My ultimate career goal would be to work as a Media Manager for a sporting club, dealing with external media outlets such as radio stations and TV broadcasts, helping players through these obligations as well as creating a positive brand for not only the player but also the Club.
Finding your place in the team
Q: We’ve heard some of the students affectionately call you “Unc” (colloquialism: “uncle”) because you bring a bit more life experience to the group. What’s it been like connecting with your cohort as a “mature-age” student?
A: It’s a funny one. Not many of the guys know this but going into this year I was a bit nervous about how I’d go socialising and working alongside people up to 8 years younger than me. I can’t keep up with their jokes and slang to save my life, which gives them more reason to call me unc I think! But all jokes aside, it’s been fantastic and a bonus to connect and become good mates with fellow St Bernard’s graduate (2024) Alex Momesso. People who know me well know I’m the first to offer a hand and help, so providing an older head with life experience has helped our culture for sure. It’s a really nice feeling knowing that they trust me and can ask me about certain tasks they might be struggling with or even just having a joke with me that ‘I’m so old I was alive for Essendon’s last premiership’.
Advice to others dreaming of a career in sport
Q: With a mid-year intake now open, what would you say to someone thinking about joining the EEA in July?
A: Joining the EEA has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made not only from an education standpoint but a personal one as well. Having the opportunity to study at a world class facility surrounded by likeminded individuals is something that not a lot of universities can offer. If you’re worried about taking that next step and furthering your education, I was in your shoes last November but sometimes taking that leap of faith and trusting yourself leads to the greatest rewards.
From St Bernard’s to EFC: A clear path
As a St Bernard’s College graduate, James Worth’s story shows just how far a strong school foundation and a leap into the EEA program can take you. With Essendon Football Club’s ongoing partnership with SBC, there’s never been a better time for aspiring sport and business professionals to take that next step.
Ready to follow in his footsteps? The EEA’s Mid-Year Intake is now open.
Study business, leadership and management inside a professional club. Click here.
