Where We Are Now: life after graduating from the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences

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What is your current role and what does your work involve?

Jess: I oversee the delivery of the student sport programme of over 100 events across 35 sports. This includes the coordination and delivery of high profile events, such as the Scottish Student Football Finals Day, featuring the 100-year-old Queen’s Park Shield competitions and the Women’s Cup. I find it rewarding being able to positively influence the lives of students around the country on a daily basis. Through my work I provide an outlet for socialising, fun, personal development and health improvement and these are all vital to maintaining a healthy life balance as a student.

Morgane: My role covers the East area of Scotland (comprising of Edinburgh, East and Midlothian, Fife and the Borders). My main responsibilities are taking a lead role in the implementation of any new organisational and local systems as well as training all of the teams in my area. I also co-ordinate local events and line manage the Area Administrator which was my first role at Penumbra. One achievement that I’m proud of is to have organised and implemented the delivery of free sanitary products to all of the locations in my area through the Fare Share scheme which aims to reduce period poverty.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in your area of work?

Jess: The extra-curricular opportunities offered by Edinburgh, and the skills I learned from them, were by far the stand-out aspects of my CV. All graduates struggle to demonstrate that they are different from all of the other people who took the same degree, and to prove that they have experience in their field, so the most valuable aspect of my university career was definitely what I did in my spare time.

I would recommend getting involved with student clubs of any kind. There are always colleges or local clubs looking for assistance, so even if there isn’t an outlet for you at your university club, just look a bit further afield and you will find something. When you’ve found a club to support, do whatever you can while you are there! Coach, officiate, volunteer at their events, put out a few social media posts for them… the opportunities are endless if you are keen enough.

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Morgane: Everything you learn in your modules (managing events, marketing, communications, managing volunteers, sports policy, strategic management etc) is highly transferable, especially as many sports organisations are part of the third sector. Charities often look for people with varied backgrounds so highlight any experience you have if it is relevant to the role that you are applying for, even if it was gained outside of the sector.