Alumni Journeys: LJMU School of Sport and Exercise Sciences

In our 9th episode we speak to former BSc sport and exercise science and MSc Biomechanics student Dr Kim Duffy!! She doesn’t work directly in sport anymore but that does not mean her job isn’t cool and interesting!!!Kim kindly opens up about her journey from LJMU to now helping to protect us all from the next pandemic!Really really important work for our world is being done through the skills taught and developed here at LJMU.Kim’s advice centres around being curious and asking people questions about things that you are interested in! A healthy mind is an inquisitive mind!

In this episode we talk to a former student but current staff member!Conor from his undergraduate journey; has gained industry insight through connections at LJMU, has started his own consultancy, and, has a large responsibility in looking after our athletes!We are very proud to showcase stories like Conor's as they highlight the real pull to our University, but, also the reasons to stay and continue to contribute to what we have going on here.

In this episode we explore Ella's journey to becoming a teacher. At LJMU we know that not everyone knows exactly what they want to do... that being said there is also people who have known for ages!Ella speaks about her call to a teaching vocation founded in inspiration from her secondary school PE teachers and her lecturers at John Moores. She also speaks about the confidence nurtured with us on her course, in order to be the best teacher she can.She believes exposure to different teaching; avenues, demographics and settings at LJMU, has helped her to deal with any situation that is presented to her in her role as a PE teacher.

In this episode, we speak to Emma who completed the undergraduate in Sport Coaching. She talks about her passion for coaching in sport but also helping others.She talks about how LJMU equipped her to not only fulfil her professional goals and aims, but also to unite that with one of her purposes in life, which was to give back and provide a service and experience that she didn't have.We are so proud of Emma for this, but also for her speaking about it and drawing attention to the wider implications of studying here at LJMU.

In our fourth episode we speak to Rebecca Garlick who works for the Football Association. Rebecca speaks about the importance of a support network whilst being a student - made up of friends, classmates and staff members.She also speaks of the importance of networking within LJMU whilst you have access to world leaders. She details how keeping in touch with people can pay dividends down the line in your career.We are ranked very high for teaching according to University evaluators, but we also like to think, we are ranked higher for our commitment to looking after our students according to them.

In the second instalment of our "Sport & Exercise Psychology mini-series", we speak to another of our host's ex-course mates about where he went after finishing his MSc postgraduate degree in 2021.He talks about his reasons why he chose to come to LJMU above other institutions for the MSc and also alludes to where that has enabled him to go.Dan works outside of sport but it very much equipped to deal with issues, deal with clients and solve problems in other industries.We love this about our courses and are extremely proud of Dan with where he's gone and what he's doing!

In the first instalment of our "Sport & Exercise Psychology mini-series", we speak to our host's ex-course mate about where he went after finishing his BSc (Hons.) undergraduate degree in 2020.We speak about levels 4-6 as a sport psychology student here at LJMU.Ben works in an industry which has little to do with sport and exercise sciences, however, we talk about how he was equipped to work outside of sport with the tools he'd developed at LJMU.We love seeing our former students thriving in other industries... it goes to show how well we prepare you for the world of work.

In our second episode we speak to Katy who completed 2 degrees with us at LJMU! Katy speaks about her time within different roles and industries, and how it helped her to realise what she enjoyed and what she wanted to do.A really key message from this episode is to follow your own intrigue and interest - no one knows yourself better than you do!We are so happy and proud to see Katy excelling in her work and helping the next generation.

In our first episode we speak to Ben who has recently graduated LJMU.Ben works in elite sport and is very well equipped to do this with his skills and experiences.He speaks on what he believed helped him at University to secure his current role.He also talks about what you can do before you even get to University, to help with your job search.In other episodes we will explore roles outside of elite sport - but we are so proud of Ben being at the top of his game!