Beth Vickers is a Carnegie School of Sport alumni and currently works as a nutritionist for Leeds Rhinos Women and a part-time lecturer at Leeds Beckett. Here, she reflects on her time studying at university and how her course equipped her for her career.

Course: BSc (Hons) Nutrition and MSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Nutrition

Why did you choose to study Sport & Exercise Nutrition?

Looking back, nutrition has always been a keen passion and an area of intrigue. Prior to starting my undergraduate course in BSc (Hons) Nutrition, I had already set my sights on pursuing specialist knowledge in nutrition. I originally wanted to study MSc Dietetics , but as my academic journey progressed, it was clear to me that Sport & Exercise Nutrition was better suited to my passions and interests. This was consolidated in a sports nutrition module in my undergraduate study. I felt a burning curiosity to learn and develop.

Sport and Exercise Nutrition is a celebration of what the body is capable of through optimising diet. I love the constant learning through emerging literature, challenging environments, empowering people to achieve their potential, and developing real connections working with athletes. After all, nutrition is a very personal part of our lives - we all eat and we all have an opinion on food. There’s a lot of behavioural science too, working in collaboration with athletes to piece the jigsaw together.

What attracted you to study at Leeds Beckett?

Leeds has always been a familiar, friendly and inspiring city for me. I came to visit a lot as a child to watch rugby or go to music events. The city itself is rich in diversity, culture and opportunities - though you’re never too far away from greenery and peace. 

The fact that both my courses were accredited and mapped against the competencies for registration with officiating bodies (Association for Nutrition & Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register) was a big attraction for me. It meant that I felt confident in my ability to enter the field after graduating. I work best with the application of knowledge, so Leeds Beckett’s ‘hands on’ approach really suited my learning style, especially in conjunction with the state-of-the-art facilities and research equipment. I was well aware of Leeds Beckett’s connections with industry and that also played a big role in my decision to study here – never underestimate the power of networking, it has unlocked so many doors along the way.

Did you undertake any placements as part of your courses?

I had the opportunity to undertake a placement on both my undergraduate and postgraduate course. Particularly in sports settings, it’s a vital component to landing a career within the field – gaining exposure to the dynamic of sporting environments and communicating with athletes. 

During my master’s we had the option to apply to be a part of the Applied Practice Programme (APP). This followed a similar process to applying for any job – submitting a CV, a covering letter and resources to demonstrate your ability to communicate information in practice.

I was successful in securing a position working with Castleford Tigers Scholarship teams delivering education workshops and providing group-based support and resource development. From the experience I gained there, I then went on to successfully apply for a nutrition internship with Leeds Rhinos Women. My experience working with the women has been invaluable and continues to open career doors and networking opportunities for me. I believe undertaking a placement opportunity is essential if you are serious about a career in sport, it’s such a powerful aspect in kickstarting professional development.

Can you tell us about your career since graduating?

I was incredibly humbled that my internship as Leeds Rhinos Women’s team nutritionist became permanent  once I graduated! It’s such an exciting time to be a part of women’s rugby as we see the game develop and grow, so we hope to look forward to another fruitful season in 2023. Off the back of my work with Leeds Rhinos, I was recommended for a role to work with Leeds Rhinos Foundation (the official charity of Leeds Rhinos) as a Health Projects Officer. This involves working to improve the health of individuals across a range of demographics. Both of these roles have been a dream come true. I was once a little kid on the other side of the barrier cheering for Leeds Rhinos and hoping to one day be working within that environment – it was certainly a ‘pinch me’ moment!

I was honoured to also receive recommendation from my undergraduate dissertation supervisor for a role working with Bradford District Care Team as a Band 6 Nutritional Therapist. I’ve also been invited to take on work with England Rugby’s Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme.

I have been very lucky to be invited to return to Leeds Beckett as a part time lecturer in the Carnegie School of Sport. It feels incredibly surreal and special to be a jigsaw piece in the development of future sports practitioners, sharing my learnings from not long since being in their shoes. 

How has your experience at Leeds Beckett helped you with your career?

If I didn’t study at Leeds Beckett I simply wouldn’t be where I am today. Every door that has opened for me has been as a result of the connections and opportunities linked to and from Leeds Beckett.

The lecturers, environment, teaching and support has amplified my development beyond measure, and I am incredibly grateful to have been able to engage in the programme in the capacity I have. 

What message would you give to people considering studying Sport & Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett?

Don't be afraid to be authentically yourself. Ask the questions you’re scared to ask, have the conversations you’re nervous to start, approach people you aspire to be like and make your intentions clear. So many of the opportunities that have come my way have been through stepping outside of my comfort zone, nothing great came from sticking within it! If you’re scared to take a professional leap, it means it’s an area for development and something you should walk towards. You’ll gain confidence in the process. 

Be loud on social media, have a strong professional presence and follow people in the field. Talk about what you’ve been learning or what excites you – the right people will see it. It shows your passion and interests and is also a great way to network and stay up to date with literature.

My second pearl of wisdom would be to embrace imposter syndrome, it shows you care. It’s something most practitioners go through, but it’s not often spoken about. You’re doing what you do because you’re capable, believe in yourself and trust the process.