Claire Morrison

What appealed to you about your course and Northumbria University?

The course appealed to me as there was a really friendly atmosphere within the University and from the staff.  It had a good track record in sport. The sports courses were held in high regard across the University. It's in a great city and was easy for me to get to and to go home to visit my family.

What did you like most about your course?

What I liked most about the course was the option to start general on a sports studies path but then branch into a specific area as you progressed through the course. The staff were great and provided a real mix of styles and areas of knowledge. I completed a placement during my second year of studies with Scottish Disability Sport and was offered employment when I graduated.

What are you doing now, after graduating?

I’m now a Pathways Manager in which I manage a team of 6 regional staff and support them to develop sporting pathways for people with disabilities across Scotland. I also deliver a number of different education opportunities to PE Teachers, Sports Development Officers, Coaches and Volunteers. 

Briefly tell us about your typical working day.

Every day in my job is different! It can range from hands on work at events to meetings with key partners from SportScotland to clubs. Setting and monitoring of work programmes, guidance and advice to staff, and working across 13 key sports. Connected to my work I volunteer as Head Coach to the Scottish Boccia Squad and an assistant coach with the GB Boccia squad. I am hoping to gain selection as a coach within the GB Team for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

How did your degree at Northumbria benefit your career?

My degree provided me with the opportunity to do my work experience with Scottish Disability Sport which gave me a great window to demonstrate my skills and ultimately secure a job with an organisation I have been in ever since. It gave me a great deal of confidence and life skills. In a sense I think I was lucky in that I didn't get into University straight from school but did two years at college first. This allowed me to get coaching qualifications and gain more hands on experience which helped as I progressed my studies at Northumbria. So much can be gained from the hands on experience rather than just academic work.