Mark Ruane, 25, is the Web & Media Officer at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. As an avid football fan with a love of media, Mark has landed his dream role working at the League One club. The Big Academy spoke to him to find out just how he got there and if it really is as great as it seems.

What do you love most about doing what you do?

I would have to say being in a football environment six days a week is definitely what I love most about my job.

After studying Media and Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University, it is great to be able to use and develop those skills in such an exciting and fast-paced environment.

Why do you think you are successful at what you do?

I think a large part of my success so far is simply down to dedication and enthusiasm for the role.

A job in football media is demanding, the hours are long and the trips are far and wide. Between August 2010 and May 2011, we travelled over 8,000 miles reporting on every game throughout that season.

I started my role at the club straight from university but really, the learning never stops and it has been very important to learn from mistakes, listen to advice and keep trying to improve as much as you can.

The most important thing is to be passionate about what you are going in to. If you hate what you’re doing, I think it would be 100 times harder to have the motivation to keep working hard and the drive to succeed.

I enjoy everything about my role, from writing articles, video editing, filming, reporting etc and because of that, I want to be as good at is as I possibly can.

How do you keep motivated?

I think that no matter how well you have done with certain tasks, there is always room for improvement.

Football media is a fast moving business and it’s vital that you keep moving with the times.

Because I take an active interest in my job outside of hours, at the back of mind I am always thinking of ways I can improve things I do in the office. For example, if I see a video that has been well-put together on Sky Sports, I may store some of those ideas and try and implement them when producing content for the website.

What would you say to a young person who is feeling uninspired about life and work?

I would say that they should have a think about something in life that excites them and focus in on it.

Getting the ideal job is difficult, without a doubt, but if you keep banging on doors – one will eventually open.

Don’t get down-hearted by rejection and don’t give up! Work as hard as you can and someone will give you a chance.

The chances are that, if you are dead-set on a particular job or career path then so are many others.

Volunteering can be excellent way of getting a foot in the door. I volunteered my time for free for two years before being given the chance to work full time and I think that made it more rewarding for me in the end.

What do you think about The Big Academy and the work we’re trying to do, in helping all young people to get inspire and achieve success?

I think it’s great! Keep up the good work!

It’s a very difficult time to get work at the moment but even if the work by The Big Academy inspires just a few people then it’s worth it.