Careers in sport and exercise science

Third year Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons) students benefitted from a career progression day as they head towards the final stages of their degree.

The event was part of the final year core module Personal and Professional Development which is designed to help students evaluate the individual skills, knowledge and ability required to fulfil specific professional roles. The module also includes placement hours to gain additional hands-on professional experience.

We were delighted to welcome six former students to the event who chatted about their careers and how the graduate attributes they developed during their studies at Brighton has helped them:

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  Dr Sarah Murray

  Dr Sarah Murray – a Performance Coach and Sport Psychologist who has worked in professional sport, including the Premier League and England Rugby, since graduating over 20 years ago

• Dr Tim Jones – a Performance Scientist and Strength and Conditioning Coach who has spent many years working abroad including with the Malaysian Olympic badminton team, since graduating in 2012
• Dom Mitchell – Team Leader and Respiratory Physiologist at a private healthcare facility in London. Dom has worked as a tennis coach since graduating in 2018.
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  Adam Chilcott

  Adam Chilcott– Academy Performance Analyst for an under 16 Premier League team and has held other football-related analyst roles since graduating in 2019.

• Kemal Ismail– a career in football since graduating in 2014, including posts as strength and Conditioning Coach to Head of Physical Development.
• Will Hayler – Performance Coach at a sport injury and performance centre and roles held in professional football since graduating in 2021.

The graduates provided great insight into their own career paths as well as their tips on how to secure the perfect job.

The event was organised by senior lecturer Dan Howells who said: “Our key aim for students is that they graduate with not just subject knowledge and skills but also attributes that are transferable beyond the discipline. We want them to graduate with the confidence to get the most out of their future.

“Being able to hear from graduates at different stages of their careers and have the opportunity to ask them questions is invaluable. It helps them to see that their degree is just the start to a wonderful journey.”

In addition to our meeting our returning graduates, students also took part in sessions about interview techniques, overcoming imposter syndrome and postgraduate study.

The module runs every year, and were already planning next year’s event when the first cohort of final year Strength and Conditioning BSc(Hons) and Exercise, Health and Rehabilitation Science BSc(Hons) students will take part too.

Find out how the University of Brighton can help you to start a career in sport and exercise.