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Kim Stallard and UoN team

Kim Stallard, medicine graduate and doctor

This insight is part of our Skills Beyond Sport series involving Nottingham graduates.

My name is Kim, and I was at Nottingham University from 2013-2018. I didn’t get involved with sport formally at the university until my second year.

I joined the  in first year, having not played much before – I wanted to try something new!

Then in second year, I trialled for the  and joined the second team. I went on to play basketball up until the end of my fifth year, including a stint as captain of the second team.

I also ran the IMS basketball league for a year, and joined the Medics’ IMS football team, playing in a national tournament in third, fourth and fifth year. Thanks to IMS I was lucky enough to go to China for the Tri Campus Games in 2018 to play football, which was an incredible experience.

Teamwork and leadership skills

I work as a doctor in a busy central London Emergency Department. I’m part of a big team and work with people I’ve never met before on shift on a daily basis.

There are clear parallels with sports. One of my roles now as a more senior doctor is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of my team, support them and allow everybody to have a say in what happens – a bit like being a team captain.

It’s also my job to pick up on potential issues early, troubleshoot in real time and deal with setbacks. Leading at work is similar to on the court – you must be visible and try to show a good example, even when things don’t go your way.

Time management skills and staying resilient

Having regular training and games mixed in with a busy timetable helped me with time management as a student, particularly in the run up to exams.

My job involves a mixture of night, late and day shifts and it’s important to me that I still find time to exercise. I’ve kept up the habit and still play football, mixed in with solo activities like running and swimming.

This has played a big part in keeping me resilient and healthy at work. I also made a lot of great friends along the way, as well as meeting my now wife!

Bringing people together 

I became more confident in my own abilities through playing sport, and it gave me useful insight into people and systems management, especially through my intramural sports (IMS) role.

One of the best things about being involved in sport, at any level, is how it brings people from different backgrounds and perspectives together. This helped me when I started work and was a topic that came up frequently in interviews that I felt I could speak to.

Sport broadens horizons

Sport is a great way to broaden your horizons – whilst doing something that’s good for you.

I didn’t fully realise how lucky we were to have the incredible options on offer at university until I left – there really is something for everyone. 

I’d encourage anyone considering joining a team or trying something new to go for it! You never know where it could take you.

If you're interested in articulating the skills you've gained during your sporting activities for job or further study applications, book an appointment with a careers adviser.