Meet Lauryn Kirkham, SMB College Group BSc Sport and Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning) graduate! We recently caught up with Lauryn about her time studying with us and her career journey since graduation.
Lauryn started at SMB College Group studying Level 3 Sport Science and progressed onto completing her degree in Sport and Exercise Science at the College in 2024.
What made you decide to study with us?
I started at Stephenson Campus for my Level 3 as the course looked great, the lecturers were lovely and it was local - we then got moved to Brooksby where the lecturers were also very lovely and the course continued to be great. I decided to stay on for the degree because of the lectures at the Brooksby Campus, they were very passionate about the course and I wouldn’t have wanted to go through uni with anyone else teaching me.
What was your favourite part of the course?
My favourite part of the course would be the people - the lecturers, the other students, and just everyone around the campus. I loved that we all got on really well, and we did a lot of things outside of uni, and the friendships I made really helped make the degree course so much better. I also loved the special populations module that we did, as this is what sparked my interest in the effects of exercise on pregnancy for my dissertation and potentially future career.
What are you doing now since leaving the College?
I have started my own personal training and sports massage business and am absolutely loving it. I gained both my PT and massage qualifications through Brooksby, so I wouldn’t be here without those, but I also developed more confidence which has helped me with approaching clients and being more comfortable speaking to people in general.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Long term, I’d love my business to grow even more and be booming - I’d also like to venture into working with pregnant women, be that through pre and post-natal personal training, or pregnancy massage.
How was your experience of moving from Further to Higher Education here at SMB?
The college course helped me prepare for higher education through gently making me adapt into researching things for myself to cite in my universe essays, and made me be more independent in my work and general life, compared to being spoon fed at GCSE level.
The transition from Further to Higher education at SMB was seamless. As I was already comfortable at Brooksby, and I knew the campus and lecturers, etc, it made the move a whole lot easier, although I’m sure it would’ve still been pleasant had I not been at SMB beforehand.
If you're interested in studying Sport Science at SMB College Group's Brooksby Campus, come along to one of our Brooksby Open Days in 2025! SMB College Group
