I came to Loughborough from Canada as an international student and student-athlete, looking for an opportunity to develop both academically and athletically. As someone who had followed athletics for years, Loughborough had always been on my radar. I'd seen the famous purple track, knew many athletes I admired trained there, and was aware of the reputation for sporting excellence. When the opportunity arose to complete a master's degree in a year while training in world-class facilities alongside elite athletes, it felt like the perfect fit.
Before coming to Loughborough, I had completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology alongside a major in Marketing. I wanted a master's degree that combined those interests while helping me better understand how people behave within organisations. What appealed to me most about the course was its flexibility. Rather than narrowing my career options, it opened doors to a wide range of opportunities.
At the time, I wasn't entirely sure what direction I wanted to take after graduation. Many people on the course were interested in consulting and organisational psychology roles, while I was still drawn to marketing because of its fast-paced and creative nature. The programme helped me realise that the knowledge and skills I was developing could be applied across many industries and career paths. It showed me that understanding people, behaviour and workplace dynamics is valuable regardless of the sector you work in.
Moving to another country was a huge step, but I saw it as a chance to experience a new culture, meet new people and challenge myself. As an international student, I found the transition to life in the UK much smoother than I expectedThe University's support services were available from the moment I arrived, helping with practical aspects of settling in and making sure I knew where to go if I needed assistance. Beyond that, the friendships I built and the welcoming nature of the community made a huge difference. There was always someone I could turn to for advice or support.
Coming to Loughborough exceeded my expectations. I was able to build lasting friendships, create unforgettable memories and gain an experience that helped shape both my personal and professional future.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most about studying at Loughborough was the learning environment. The course was engaging, the staff were approachable and there was always support available. As an international student, that made a huge difference. Whether it was advice from academic staff, mentoring opportunities or support designed specifically for international students, I always felt there were people willing to help.
The relatively small cohort also made the experience particularly rewarding. We quickly became a close-knit group, learning from each other inside the classroom while building genuine friendships outside of it. We spent time together on campus, attended sporting events and socialised beyond our studies. Those experiences helped make the transition to living in a new country much easier and created memories I'll always look back on fondly.
A major takeaway from the programme was how applicable the content was to real-world situations. Through lectures, case studies and discussions with industry professionals, I developed a much deeper understanding of workplace culture, employee wellbeing and organisational effectiveness. The course encouraged us to think about how people interact within organisations and how businesses can create environments where people thrive.
That knowledge has continued to influence me since graduating. After completing my master's, I worked in sports marketing before moving into my current role as an Account Coordinator at Salt XC, an experiential marketing agency in Toronto. My role involves client communication, event planning, logistics, budget management and reporting. It's a fast-moving environment where no two days are the same, which is something I really enjoy.
While I don't work directly in organisational psychology, the course continues to influence the way I approach my career. In fact, it helped me evaluate the workplaces I experienced early in my professional life. Some of the concepts we studied around wellbeing, workplace culture and organisational structures gave me a framework for understanding what I valued in an employer. They helped me identify an environment where I could see myself growing professionally while maintaining a positive and healthy work-life balance.
I also found Loughborough's employability support extremely valuable. The careers resources helped me improve my CV, tailor applications and approach interviews more strategically. The international experience itself was also something that stood out to employers. Having the confidence to explain not only what I learned academically but also the experience of moving abroad helped me throughout the recruitment process.
Looking back, one of the ideas that resonates most with me is the Business School’s ethos of making ‘Progress with Purpose’. For me, purpose is about identifying what you're passionate about and committing yourself to it. Those passions can evolve over time, and that's part of personal growth. What matters is continuing to learn, challenge yourself and pursue the things that genuinely make you happy.
Today, my focus is on living a healthy, fulfilling life, staying active, building meaningful relationships and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way. My time at Loughborough helped me gain the confidence to do exactly that. It gave me a world-class education, introduced me to lifelong friends and provided experiences that continue to shape my career and outlook on life. Looking back, choosing Loughborough was one of the best decisions I've made.