Tom Paine

About me

What did you enjoy about studying at Manchester Met?

Overall I’d have to say the independence. It’s very different from college and you get your own space and time to develop as an individual. As an international swimmer I was also lucky enough to be awarded a Sport Scholarship. This meant I was fully supported in my training alongside my studies which was great. 

What do you do now?

The biggest part of my role is the prevention and management of injuries. Obviously, Taekwondo is a contact sport, so that takes up most of our time. But we also look at recovery strategies with the athletes, and we spend a lot of time travelling around the world to competitions so we can be there at the ringside. It’s a busy role. 

How do you think Manchester Met prepared you for the job?

One of the main things that worked well for me was my placement. They’ve got brilliant links across the area, so I got to build my experience with the Salford Red Devils. The lecturers and tutors also made a big difference – working closely with me to offer lots of support. 

Which skills that you learned have been most useful in your job?

Most of the clinical skills I use every day, I learned on my course. There are also other skills – like multidisciplinary team working and evidence-based work – that guide my practice now, and could be even more important than the clinical stuff. 

Have you kept in touch since you graduated?

I got to know a lot of the staff well and they’re always keen to see how we’re getting on, especially with the job I’m doing. The University also stays in contact through the alumni programme. 

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