My journey balancing graduate education with professional hockey

My time at the University of Dundee, competing for the Dundee Stars, and living in the United Kingdom has been truly life-changing. I have had the opportunity to study alongside exceptional peers and connect with professors who are genuinely invested in my academic and professional development. The skills and insights I have gained through this programme have already begun to shape my future beyond the ice rink.

Balancing Dual Commitments

Competing as a professional hockey player demands a high level of commitment and dedication. At the same time, pursuing a master’s degree requires discipline, resilience, and focus. Managing both meant fully committing to my personal goal of being the best athlete I can be while remaining equally engaged in my aspiration for academic success.

Organisation and time management were crucial this past year. Between lectures, deadlines, training sessions, games, and travel, my schedule was often unpredictable and hectic. I viewed each commitment as an investment in my future and an opportunity for personal growth. Both the MSc Management program and my hockey career have challenged and developed me in meaningful ways that will benefit me for years to come.

Support

The resources and support offered by the School of Business played a critical role in helping me navigate my responsibilities on this journey. My academic advisor, Dr. Lissa Monk, has been an incredible resource throughout the programme. She is always incredibly kind, helpful, and informative regarding any issue I may have encountered. All of the professors and faculty were accommodating, flexible, and understanding regarding my schedule. Our schedules could change on a week-to-week basis, and open lines of communication with them allowed us to view lecture recordings when we were absent so we could stay on track and fully engaged with the coursework.

Why Pursue a Master’s Degree?

The ability to acquire new skills and invest in myself was a no-brainer. While being an athlete is incredibly rewarding, sports careers can be short and unpredictable. Earning a master’s degree prepares me for a career beyond athletics, whether in consulting, leadership, business development, or another field. The programme’s integration of strategy, marketing, and project management, among other aspects of the industry, have provided me with a solid foundation to succeed in any professional environment while showcasing the discipline and perseverance it takes to succeed.

Impressions of Dundee and Scotland

Dundee is a great place to live and study. The strong sense of community on campus is incredible. The city is welcoming. I have also had the opportunity to travel to Pitlochry, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews to explore picturesque landscapes and appreciate the expansive, rich history across the country. These experiences have truly made my time in Scotland incredibly memorable.

Prospective Students

To any prospective student, I would wholeheartedly encourage them to take the chance to study with some of the world’s brightest minds. Dundee is a great city, and Scotland is a scenic country filled with an extensive history.

I am incredibly blessed to live my childhood dream of playing professional hockey while achieving my master’s degree. For anyone considering playing for the Stars and obtaining this degree, I want to tell them that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I would have never believed it was possible that I would live in an amazing city like Dundee while playing hockey and receiving a master’s degree from the University of Dundee all at the same time.

In closing, I will forever cherish my time in Dundee—from it being a city where I played hockey, to the University where I earned my master’s degree—along with all of the memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. I am thankful and blessed for this opportunity.