Career in Motorsport help please!

[Eddy star]

Good evening all,

I wonder if anyone could help me. I have researched on the net and a couple of other forums and can't find much help so I thought I would ask here as everyone seems very helpful.

I am 25 years old and currently seeking a career redirection. I have been in work since the age of 17 in various occupations (waiter / bartender/ sales assistant) then I moved into a call centre and after 5 years got to the position as sales manager. I then left there to persue a career in sales at Landrover, however due to problems with the job (they lied to me about hours and rota), I left after a week. I then set up a business dealing in computer games, brings in good money but it's not what I want and I only set it up as I didn't want to collect benefits.

I have been thinking of maybe going to college or university to study Motorsport, more specifically a fdsc motorsport management and logistics foundation degree or A national diploma in motorsports and then maybe continue on to get a full degree if needed.(both at myerscough as I live down the road).

However I want it to be the right decision, so I wanted to ask a couple of questions...

Is it a good course / degree?
Do I need it or could I just start right at the bottom of a Motorsport group?
What jobs does it lead into?
Do employees look for this course, if not, which one?

I expect to start right at the bottom and happy to work for free to build up experience and also volunteer at tracks and events - whatever it takes really!!!

I am interested in the design (cad) / data / technology side - so those are the areas I want to work in.

I have -

5+ years management experience
Project experience
Prince 2 accredited
Sales experience

But no cad/ design / Motorsport experience hence the course interest.

LONG post I know but I wanted to make sure I have detailed everything so everyone can give me specific advise (hopefully).

Thanks in advance

[D-Type]

Sorry I can't give you any specific advice, but here's a couple of ideas:
You could try speaking to the teaching staff at Myerscough. Strangely enough, the last thing they want is people who find they don't like the course or it isn't what they want so they drop out. They can certainly give you a better idea of what the course content is and where it can lead to (or not lead to for that matter).
Write to senior people on various teams. Research first so you know their names, job titles and responsibilities. I believe that someone produces a motor racing directory - the college will know. Outline what you can offer (maturity as you've run your own business, ability to sell, worked as a sales manager) and what you would like to get into. Unless you want to get into something highly specialised like computational fluid dynamics you can learn on the job provided you have the basis to build on ie diploma or degree.
Do not say you are seeking a career redirection - it sounds negative. Don't say you'll work for free - it sounds too like a keen schoolboy. Don't mention the Land Rover debacle.
good luck!

[Eddy star]

thanks for the reply.

calling myerscough tomorrow to arrange a sit down chat, so i will know a little more then.

Great idea on getting in contact with who would be my potential employers as it were. As these guys do the hiring and firing so they know what they want and what i need to do to get there.

thanks once again.

[NMMotorsport]

Expect to have alot of knock backs but dont let it put you off your goal. I tried to get into motorsport with my business but struggled. As said above, find out who the key people are and contact them. But dont do cold calling. Apparently its a big put off.
Good luck