Katie Wakelin

What I enjoyed the most about my studies were the endless opportunities to get involved with external organisations within the community, such as working with schools in the Southampton area and working with local NGBs and local partnerships such as the Saints Foundation, as well as being able to create and run our own ‘Sport for social change’, project in the local community as part of my undergraduate course project, Community Innovation Programme, (CIP).

Since graduating I have been working as a support worker for adults with disabilities, as well as working in schools, both coaching and as a teaching assistant, and am a student on the MA Physical Education and School Sport postgraduate degree.

My favourite experiences at Solent included being in the women's football team, and the unique opportunities to take part in Varsity due to the sense of family you get, the fun, and the chance to watch and support friends on other teams.

Solent helped me prepare for my career in so many aspects, for example, the variety of assessments helped me with both written and verbal communication that is so amply needed within my career and industry, as well as being able to build my CV through the variety of extracurricular activities, such as participating in team sport, societies and volunteer opportunities.

Through Solent I have had the chance to be a part of the FA and BUCS Women's Leadership Programme for 2020/2021 which has been an amazing way to build my own skills, network with individuals working in industry (mainly the FA), and get an insight into higher roles within industry.

My advice to future students would be to take every opportunity possible, enjoy your time at Solent and network! You can network outside of your course, with lecturers, joining sports teams and with alumni. Solent has such a wonderful family ethos and everyone is so happy to share their experiences and stories, so never be afraid to ask how someone got to where they are.

Solent provides you with every tool possible to succeed and you get out 10 times more than what you put in - work hard and enjoy your time! It might feel like three or four years is such a long time but it absolutely flies by!