William Swallow completed a Masters by Research (MRes) in Sport and Exercise Science, and now works for Scottish Premiership giants Celtic Football Club.
After graduating in January 2020, the aspiring fitness and rehabilitation coach immediately found himself in demand, landing a lucrative role at Celtic’s academy.
The 22-year-old, from Morecambe, Lancashire, works with a range of players, from Under 11s to Under 17s, as he attempts to ‘nurture’ them into the first team.
William explained: “It all happened really quickly and, if I’m honest, I still can’t quite believe it.
“I’m extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity. The interview process was fairly nerve-wracking and I was competing with over 180 other applicants because it’s such a major role.
“But now I’m looking forward to learning about all the talented players in the academy - and I aim to do my bit to help nurture these young athletes.”
William previously completed an undergraduate degree in Sport & Exercise Science at Hope before joining the MRes course.
And he’s well aware of the size and history of the club he’s joining - with Celtic winning no fewer than 50 league titles and having lifted the European Cup in 1967, becoming the first British team to have ever done so.
William, who played left wing for local side Morecambe Royals, added: “I’ve heard a lot about the intense atmosphere during games at Celtic Park and I can’t wait to sample it for myself.”
The three-year role itself comes as part of a PhD William will be undertaking with the University of the West of Scotland.
And he explained how his studies at Hope have set him up perfectly for the challenges ahead.
The Morecambe FC fan said: “I’ve loved being at Hope. The course was close-knit and the tutors were fantastic, too, which made for a great atmosphere.
“But the biggest thing for me was that we had a great deal of freedom to choose what we wanted to learn, and which independent research project we wanted to follow.
“I was able to work as an intern with Bury FC and Southport FC, thanks to the close links the University has with a host of Football League clubs.
“And it helped me a lot, particularly in terms of taking the GPS data of players from those teams and using it in my own research project.”
Ultimately, William’s thesis was titled, ‘Quantification of in-season training load in lower league English soccer’.
And he added: “I’m just at the beginning of my career. But I aspire to continue working in elite football, and to develop as both a researcher and practitioner.”
Find out more about our (MRes) in Sport and Exercise Science
A placement award launched Business Management alumna Kayleigh Burns on the path to a coveted graduate scheme, where she now manages up to 100 people and helps ensure the continued success of supermarket chain Tesco.
Kayleigh said: “The University felt very personal when I came to the Open Day, and I thought that’s what I’m about.
“The best thing about Hope was the one-to-one relationship and small tutorials and lectures.
“I was nominated in my second and third year for the Insight to Business Awards, and in third year I won an internship opportunity at Lloyds Bank.
“Part of the reason I won, was thanks to the efforts I made working with classmates to set up our own business while at university.
“We actually ended up at the North West regional finals of the Young Enterprise Awards. We won a best report award, which was amazing.
“I’m currently on the Tesco Graduate Scheme, which means I can be considered a Store Manager in smaller shops or I can be a Senior Manager in large shops.
“I take care of five Managers and about 80 - 100 colleagues, all of whom report to me. My focus is on business and leadership, and how to get the business moving.
“I’m part of running shops that take up to £1.3 million a week, and without Hope I don’t think I would ever have got here.
“I needed guidance on essay writing when I first joined Hope. This actually led to my tutor encouraging me to get tested for dyslexia and after being diagnosed, my grades increased considerably. I don’t think I’d have made it through first year without this support.
“100% if I had to do my time again, I would come back to Hope. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Find out more about our Business Management degree
A Nutrition degree launched Danielle O’Hagan on the road to a successful career as a Dietitian at Whiston Hospital.
Danielle said: “I’m a Band 5 rotational Dietitian in an acute hospital setting, and receive referrals to review patients and analyse their current dietary intake.
“I help to advise different enteral feeding options, for instance when it is necessary for a patient to be nasogastric (NG) fed.
“I also present training talks on the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, falls groups and surgical recovery groups.
“My job covers a wide range of skills that I developed throughout my time at university, and studying BSc Nutrition at Liverpool Hope enabled me to achieve my dream job.
“Without my undergraduate degree, and having been employed as a research assistant for six months at the University, I would not have been able to secure a place on the PG Dip dietetics course.
“Liverpool Hope is an exceptional university, with excellent support services from lectures and other professionals, no question is ever left unanswered.
“The Nutrition team encouraged me to achieve my dream and were always supportive of my desired career.
“Whether your chosen career is within health promotion, hospital settings or nutritional sciences, opportunities are available to strengthen your skills and knowledge regarding your desired career.
“By applying to Liverpool Hope you will not be disappointed, the team are second to none and will support you throughout
“Their doors are always open and lecturers are willing to give advice and support.”
Find out more about our Nutrition degree
A Fine Art degree put alumnus Paul Doran on the path to a career that continues to go form strength-to-strength.
Since graduating in 2011, and completing an MA Creative Practice in 2015, Paul has seen his art take him to Africa, feature in the Financial Times, and launch his own busy practice in Belfast.
Paul spent time in the West African city of Abidjan where he worked with local artists and helped set up a successful charity auction.
Upon returning to Belfast, Paul spent time working on art projects based in Northern Ireland, which included initiatives for the rehabilitation of young offenders and a European Union commissioned multidimensional exhibition at the Andrews Gallery, The Titanic Museum, Belfast.
Paul has also worked collaboratively with the celebrated Northern Ireland Muralists Mark Ervine and Danny Devenny on projects such as ‘No Walls Act 1’.
In 2018, the journalist Stephen Groves wrote an essay published in the Financial Times which features Paul Doran and Mark Ervine.
As well as muralist works and community projects, Paul has a busy studio practice producing vibrant and innovative paintings which often straddle the line between abstraction and figuration.
Paul’s paintings were recently described by Aidan Dunne in The Irish Times as ‘colourful, spirited, gestural paintings, usually with busy surfaces, their rhythmic patterns and imagery freely mixing abstraction and figuration’.
A solo exhibition of Paul's work will be on display in Zari Gallery, London Fitzrovia from 22nd June - 10th July 2020.
Find out more about our Fine Art degree
