I Got Hired: Project Manager

Posted on: 16 December 2022 by Richard Finch in Graduate stories

Jack Poynton is a Class of 2021 Psychology graduate, now working as a Project Manager at Promod Esports.

 

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE ROLE?

I had heard about this job through a friend, sharing a common interest in video games and esports, they sent me the job listing on a whim, saying they thought this might suit me. I was still in the process of finishing my Master’s Degree while working in esports performance coaching and went for it.

HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2021 with my BSc in Psychology and moved to Edinburgh to pursue my Master’s Degree in Performance Psychology at the University of Edinburgh.

Collaborative projects and mixing with students from all over the globe pursuing performance psychology in different disciplines really helped hone not only an academic approach to working but a professional approach to working. The combination of my coaching work, my BSc and my MSc experiences allowed me to take an approach to my work in Project Management in my own way and take a unique approach to work with all stakeholders from players, teams, and brands while developing a project.

YOUR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCE AS PART OF YOUR ROLE?

I'd say my favourite experience so far as part of my role has been returning to in-person gaming, esports and technology events, not only as a person with interest in it but as someone who can now shape what these events can look like, building a network within the industry and establish how in a post-covid world gaming, esports and tech are important parts of many people's lives and these events, conventions and other projects are vital their growth going forward.

THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR GRADUATE JOURNEY?

The most challenging part of my graduate journey would definitely have to be returning to in-person classes in a completely new city at the MSc level. Finishing my BSc during covid was a really tough experience, but something we had all grown accustomed to, but returning to the classroom with new faces someone I'd never even visited was a daunting experience for sure.

TOP THREE TIPS FOR OTHER STUDENTS?

1) Apply for those jobs slightly out of reach, outside your comfort zone, and that aren't related to your field directly - the experience you'll develop is invaluable.

2) Join societies and build your social network - University is about growing yourself as a person, although we all want that degree at the end, the memories, experiences and mistakes made are what will help you use that degree to it's fullest potential, and don't take those nights out for granted, enjoy it as much as possible.

3) Maintain a healthy work-life balance, the work will still be there when you go back in tomorrow, but those moments with friends and family might not.