Christopher Walker
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Bath Rugby Club
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Insurance Claims Handler, First Mate on a French Hotel Barge, Retail Assistant Manager for a Wine Merchant, Digital Content and Social Media Manager for a Wine Technology Start-up, Content Editor / Digital Marketing and Design Lead for a Sports Charity. Currently I am the Graphic and Digital Designer for Bath Rugby Club and the Stadium for Bath Project and my core responsibilities can almost be split between graphic design and video production work and managing the output of the creative unit at the club.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I didn’t necessarily choose this career or the direction in which I have gone with it, however I do remember completing a week’s work experience with a graphic design company local to my home town when I was doing my GCSEs, so this line of work has always been of interest and I feel confident in a creative job and environment. Choosing to work for Bath Rugby Club was largely coincidental as it coincided with a decision to relocate to the South West from London, but in reality I am doing what I love doing for a rugby club which is a real bonus.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The campus environment was a big motivation for choosing to study in Exeter. I also found the teaching was very good, especially as you move from large lecture theatres to smaller seminar groups. I wasn’t ready to live in a huge city when I was applying for Universities and I found Exeter to be the perfect size and its proximity to countryside, the beach and amateur rugby teams was also of real significance to me.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Predominantly for its rising academic reputation and pedigree for social sciences when I applied, but also because I wanted to study on a campus and live in a city with a relaxed atmosphere.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Practically speaking, my university experience gave me the ability to; argue a point verbally or through written language, thoroughly research and obtain information, work with others, present to groups and also the ability to look after myself on a day to day basis. It did not give me anything useful in terms of my creative career other than the knowledge that I did not fit the mould of somebody who would end up working in politics, advocacy, consultancy and so on. I did take a lot of the creative tasks on board when involved with societies but that was about it.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Don’t enrol onto a social science degree! If you want to embark on a creative career path you need to start your portfolio as soon as you can, become a master of Adobe software and be a professional when it comes to camera work and thinking outside of the box. I was interested in Politics and History and was good at them at A-Level but my IR degree was probably doing a dis-service to the career path I have eventually found myself on. It is impossible to know what you want to do until you get a bit older so my advice would be not to rush into a degree unless you are convinced it is right for you and I would also say that doing two or three years or real-life work before an undergraduate degree would really help you. Seek as much advice and experience from people who have completed the degree(s) you are looking at and take as long as you need to decide.
What are your plans for the future?
To become the creative director of a leading professional sports organisation, or similar.
