Jodi Thomas

After graduating from the UTS Bachelor of Management in Sport and Exercise, I commenced employment at Surf Life Saving NSW as a Lifesaving Assistant. This role was largely administration based and included organising surf safety education tours. My degree significantly helped in gaining this position considering I did not have a surf lifesaving background.

After 18 months in this role, Surf Life Saving NSW went through a major restructure and I received a promotion to Events Officer. This role gave me the opportunity to utilise my degree, and achieve my goal of organising sports events, with the largest event being the annual NSW Championships consisting of 8000 competitors.

In late 2007 I moved across the Tasman to University Sport New Zealand as the National Events Manager. Surf Life Saving NSW shortly afterwards offered me my current position of Manager, Surf Sports. I am now responsible for three staff covering events, coaches, officials and athlete development from grass roots through to elite level. My degree consisted of sport management and exercise science components and is still relevant to my employment today.