Pearle

Describe your placement experience.

I'm working in the Sports Science department within Athletics at Texas A&M University, a division 1 school in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). I've gained hands-on experience working directly with athletes, conducting various tests and using cutting-edge technologies like wearable GPS and tracking technologies such as Catapult and Kinexon. I’ve had exposure to a wide range of sports, testing methods, and the latest advancements in technology, and I’ve collaborated with other departments such as nutrition, medical and psychology.

This experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I hadn't anticipated. I’ve had to be more resilient and adapt quickly to an unfamiliar environment. It’s high-pressure and fast-paced but this has pushed me to develop new skills. Immersing myself in a new culture has also broadened my perspective: I've attended insane sporting events – the atmosphere of Collegiate American Football games is unforgettable, the school pride and tradition is contagious. I've fully embraced the spirit of Aggieland, eager to experience everything this placement has to offer both professionally and personally. 

What are the best things about your placement?

The best thing has been the people I’ve met and the connections it’s opened up for me. I am working closely with three PhD students and a masters graduate, and having the opportunity to learn from them has been invaluable. They genuinely want to see me succeed.

Working with other performance and wellness units has expanded my network and allowed me to gain further insights into how different departments support athletes. It has been fascinating to see how each department plays a role in helping athletes reach their full potential.

Another standout aspect of my placement has been the advanced technology available to me. I've been able to apply the skills I learnt in my first two years of study at Surrey in a real-world setting. Seeing wearable tracking technologies in action and learning how they integrate into athlete performance data has been really interesting. I’ve gained an appreciation for how data-driven decisions are shaping the future of sports science.

"A placement is an investment in your future and the rewards you gain are absolutely worth it!"

Have your career plans been informed by your placement?

Before my placement, I was focused on a career in sports psychology, although I’d always wanted to be involved in elite sport. 

This experience has made me realise how rewarding it can be working with athletes, whether it’s supporting their physical health, mental resilience, or overall performance. I’ve also enjoyed the technical aspect of sports science, transforming raw data into something tangible that can be used for decision-making. I’ve realised that there are many exciting career avenues within performance sport, beyond sports psychology.

What advice do you have for students considering doing a placement?

Go for it! The thought of doing a placement was very scary to me, but the support services provided by the University were amazing and made the entire process – from sending off my CV to arriving in Texas – so much easier. I received advice and guidance at every step, which really boosted my confidence. I can't stress enough how important it is to take advantage of the resources available to you. 

One big lesson I have learnt is to be proactive and take initiative. Seek out every learning opportunity and ask as many questions as possible. The more you engage with the experience, the more you will gain from it. And network: use the opportunity to build professional connections within your field. It can lead to valuable mentorships and open doors to future job opportunities. 

A placement is an investment in your future and the rewards you gain are absolutely worth it!
 

Find out more about our Sport and Exercise Science BSc.