Celebrating our Career Champions

As the year draws to a close and the festive season begins, we’ve been reflecting on the programmes delivered by the Alumni, Sponsorship and Partnership Team.

This December, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our inspirational Career Champions mentors – alumni who give back by supporting current students within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences (PSHS).

Through their time, insight and encouragement, these mentors help final-year students take their first steps into the world of work. In this special edition of our Once Upon a Time Alumni blog, we celebrate a few of these individuals, share their journeys from Portsmouth to the careers they love today, and explore why they choose to stay connected as mentors.

To all alumni and supporters who continue to make a difference, thank you.

Please can you tell us about your journey from the University of Portsmouth to today?

Since graduating, I’ve held several roles in the sports industry and now work as a Social Media Executive at Crystal Palace FC. My degree played a major part in shaping my career path, especially a sports marketing module that first sparked my interest in sports social media.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the opportunities, learning and development I gained at university. They created the foundation for everything I’ve achieved so far.
 

Why did you decide to become a Career Champions mentor?

When I think back to being a student, I remember feeling uncertain about which direction to take and wondering how to achieve a role I aspired to. I want to give back and provide as much advice as I can to support students to achieve their dream role.

I also want them to understand that the sports industry can be tough to break into, but with solid foundations and a strong work ethic, it’s absolutely possible to achieve your goals.

What advice would you share with students or recent graduates?

The main piece of advice I would give is to keep believing.

I strongly believe that if you put the work in, you will get to where you want to be, but you have to trust the journey you’re on.

Even if you don’t land that perfect role straight out of university, focus on the positives and keep moving forward. You will get there. It may take hard work, but it will all be worth it in the end! 

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I’m looking forward to continuing my journey with Crystal Palace, and I’m excited to experience more European away days!

Alongside my full-time role, I’m also building my own creative agency supporting sports coaches, athletes and brands. I’m excited to continue growing both my full-time career and agency.

When I look at how far I’ve come this year, it feels surreal. Who knows where I’ll be by the end of 2026!

Please can you tell us about your journey from the University of Portsmouth to today?

I began my degree in 2019 and knew early on that I wanted to complete a placement year to support my ambition of pursuing a Master’s. I faced lots of rejections and spent hours refining applications and interviews, but those experiences built my resilience and shaped how I approach opportunities today.

After some persistence, I secured a placement with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in the West Midlands Psychology Service. It was an incredible experience that led to an extended remote placement and later a sessional role as an Intervention Facilitator in Portsmouth during my final year and throughout my Master’s. This maintained my ambition to one day become a Trainee Forensic Psychologist within HMPPS – a goal I still hold today.

I secured my first post-university role at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) – an organisation I had previously collaborated with during my MSc dissertation research. As a Performance and Research Officer, I deliver evidence-based insights that help hold Hampshire Constabulary to account and support better outcomes for communities, and for victims and perpetrators of crime.

Why did you decide to become a Career Champions mentor?

Speaking with alumni during my degree had a real impact on me. Their advice helped shape my academic and career journey, and that experience inspired me to mentor others.

What I enjoy most is helping students explore their options and take steps towards their future. I empathise with how daunting it can feel when you’re unsure about which career path to follow. I remember feeling that way myself.

Being able to reassure and guide students through uncertainty is something I find truly rewarding.

What advice would you share with students or recent graduates?

Having some career goals in mind is great, but don’t be worried if you’re not exactly where you want to be, or you’re still figuring it out. I once read: ‘I’m not everything I want to be yet, but I am a lot of things I wanted to be three years ago, and what a wonderful thing it is to realise that’.

Your career path may feel like a long road, but all good things come in time. Your best is enough, and you will get there!

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I am looking forward to living in the moment! After years of study and career progression, I have found myself in a completely new role that I could only have dreamed of years ago.

Over the next year, I look forward to settling into this role, developing my existing skillset, meeting new people, but also enjoying myself and celebrating this new achievement.