Sharing Sporting Success
As part of an initiative aimed at fostering communication, and partnership between our sporting graduates and current students, Alumni Officer of the Sports Union, Kirsty McConnell, organised an evening of talks entitled “From Sports to Success”.
Four speakers, each from a very different sporting background, joined together to speak to students about their time at the University of Edinburgh, explaining how their sporting endeavours and experiences helped shape successful careers.
From Sports to Success
Dougie Graham, employee of Aggreko and entrepreneur, was captain of the Athletics club and liked to think of running the club as a small business. He has now set up his own skate park, children’s soft play and cafeteria. He urged students to follow suit, to make the most of the support and protection offered by the Sports Union and to take on challenges at University.
Jo Richards, studied Applied Sports Science and has become well-regarded in her work as a personal trainer, dancer and choreographer. Having competed in the USA, performed at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and made regular appearances on BBC Radio 1’s Fun and Filth Cabaret, she felt it that, amongst other things, university sport is valuable preparation for “embracing the randomness” of life and career challenges.
Because of my time in Sport at Edinburgh, I have had some amazing experiences and turned, what would have been a useful University experience, into a platform to a future where I achieve all I possibly can.
Lorna Carmichael, Economics and Geography graduate and member of the Snowsports Club, received her Blue for sporting performance and her Colours for sports organisation in 2004/05.
Lorna explained that skills which she developed through University sport, including teamwork, leadership and communication have contributed to her success as a Management Consultant at Accenture.
The final speaker, Jock Millican, was closely involved with the University Rugby club while he was a student and was impressively called up to play for Scotland whilst still studying. Jock explained that the skills he learned through University sporting experiences were entirely transferable to his career in the brewing industry.
I found the speakers engaging, and the range of sporting backgrounds they came from and careers they now led meant that no two speakers were the same. The opportunity to socialize afterwards with the speakers left me with a favourable impression of the whole event, and the chance to network gave me some ideas to ponder in my future career.
The event attracted students from all years of study and a range of subjects, but all shared in the conclusion that involvement in sport at University can directly contribute to future success - regardless of the career path chosen.
Get involved
If you have an inspiring story to tell and would like to be involved with a future event then Kirsty would love to hear from you.