Emilia Bullock
Social Sport Media, Marketing and Communications Coordinator 2023/24, 2021/2022 Swimming Performance Media, Marketing and Communications Officer
Emilia serves in not one, but two media, marketing, and communications volunteer roles at Loughborough University. Her tireless efforts behind the scenes in both Social Sport and the Swimming programme has played an instrumental role in amplifying both programmes.
Tell us a bit about yourself (what you do now, current job, career pathway, interests, background etc.)
I have recently just graduated from Loughborough after 4 years of doing my undergraduate degree in marketing and management. My hobbies and interests mostly relate around sport as it has something that has always been a key part of my life. This came from my background being in swimming, where I transitioned from being a competitive swimmer to volunteering in the sport. I wanted to stay actively involved in the sport so I trained to be an official, alongside being a volunteer coach for my childhood club. This alongside my general interest in watching sport helped to shape my career goal of working within sport, specifically working in sport marketing and media. Therefore, when I moved to Loughborough I wanted to get involved in the background side of sport instead of the perceived normal route of being a player for an au team.
How did you first get involved in volunteering within sport at Loughborough?
I had seen the CVA advertised in my first year online and wanted to get involved in it to carry on volunteering in sport. I first got involved in volunteering at Loughborough Sport at the end of my first year and my second year where I joined the Social Sport committee as the MMC coordinator for the 21/22 academic year. It was the perfect opportunity for me to gain some first experience in media as well as getting involved in a committee to meet like minded students.
During your time at Loughborough, what volunteering roles did you get involved with?
My first year was limited due to covid but near the end of the year I applied for the Social Sport MMC role where I was successful and was able to help support promotions at the end of the year before heading into my second year. In my second year I heavily focused on my Social Sport MMC role, helping to promote the programme and the variety of one day events we put on, helping the programme grow quickly throughout the year. I particularly enjoyed going and volunteering at the one day events to support my committee and to meet a variety of students from different departments and societies. During my second year I also got involved in events volunteering such as supporting the events team at Loughborough Lightning in netball and rugby matches to gain some initial experience in event management. All these experiences in my second year helped me to get selected as a volunteer at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth games. Aswell as during my year away being able to volunteer at the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin as a Social Media Assistant.
After a year away for my study abroad year I was ready to get straight back into volunteering in my final year where I was taking on 2 MMC roles and the sport SIO role for my business school. I wanted to take on two MMC roles as I wanted the experience of being back on the Social Sport committee with a programme that I was passionate about but also gain experience with a performance team in the swimming mmc role. I was taking on a new role in the Social Sport committee by being the mmc coordinator and having an mmc officer that year, giving me the perfect opportunity to develop my leadership skills and support a new Loughborough Sport volunteer, something that I had benefited from when I started my journey a few years ago. With my swimming MMC role this was the perfect opportunity for me to develop my graphic, photography and videography skills but also to learn about the behind the scenes of working during major competitions such as world championships and the Olympics. Balancing these roles in my final year was challenging but rewarding as I had the support of my two mentors and the support of the CVA staff and fellow volunteers.
What has your experience volunteering been like whilst at Loughborough?
Volunteering in sport at Loughborough has been a crucial part of my time at Loughborough and my experience here would not have been the same without it. Not only did it help me progress professionally but it has also been a great thing to be a part of outside of my degree. I have met people that are now life-long friends and had experiences that have been beyond anything pre-Loughborough me could have imagined. Having such a strong support system around me while volunteering has meant I can enjoy my time alongside my roles.
I’ve been able to experience multiple sides of sport at Loughborough. I’ve experienced the performance side when supporting the swimming media team and I’ve also experienced the social side with social sport. This has been important to me as I have
been able to be a part of a team that has helped showcase the multiple opportunities available at Loughborough Sport, especially that they are not all based around performance sport.
How has being involved with Loughborough Sport helped you develop and progress (personally and professionally)?
Personally, it has made me a better person in a way that I have been able to develop skills such as teamwork, communication and organisational skills that I can use not only in my career but in day to day life going forward. The CVA helped me with my progression when putting on CPD’s and training courses for me and my committee to attend, where we got to learn about a variety of different topics, which helped me during my time at Loughborough Sport. My time volunteering in sport at Loughborough also means I can look back at my time at Loughborough with a big smile and say I pushed myself to get involved in as much as I could. I leave with no regrets.
Professionally it has helped me in so many ways. I came into Loughborough with big career goals and without the CVA I wouldn't be anywhere near these goals and wouldn’t have ticked some off along the way. I have been given opportunities that I don’t believe I would've gotten anywhere else. Through my MMC roles in my final year and the support of my mentors and the staff at the CVA I was able to secure summer internships with the PGA and British Triathlon in marketing and communications, helping to take that step into working with major sporting governing bodies. Alongside this I have been able to tick a very big career goal of mine, being able to volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Without the support and opportunities given to me at the CVA I wouldn’t have been able to get these roles and opportunities outside of Loughborough.
What’s the best advice you could give to a Loughborough student looking to get involved in volunteering & gain the most out of their university experiences?
Take every opportunity you get no matter how big or small! Every experience counts and you never know where it will get you in the future. If I hadn’t applied for the MMC Social Sport role back in my first year I don’t think I would have had half the experiences I have now at the end of my time at Loughborough.
For anyone looking to get involved, no matter what year go to the freshers bazaar and talk to the Loughborough Sport people there. If there is something specific you want to do or gain experience in then talk to them and see how they can help you. They are always willing to help if you ask them. Take the initiative and go for it.
Finally, what did you enjoy most about volunteering?
The people! You get the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally while also being surrounded by friends and people who are equally as passionate about what you are working on. For example, I will miss our Thursday evening social sport meeting when we would get the whole committee together!
Feeling Inspired?
Feeling inspired by Emilia's experience? Check out the CVA Portal regularly for opportunities like her's.