For Molly O’Sullivan, a career in strength and conditioning was not always the plan. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Limerick, she found herself drawn towards a career in sports performance — but her degree did not follow the traditional pathway into the field.
Through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Molly was able to take a different route into the MSc in Sports Performance at the University of Limerick, opening the door to a career she had always wanted to pursue.
Finding a Path into Sports Performance
Molly studied Psychology and Law modules during her undergraduate degree at UL. Alongside her studies, she had always been heavily involved in sport and completed training as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. She also began teaching fitness classes in UL Sport.
Although she enjoyed this experience, Molly knew it was a stepping stone towards something more.
As she approached the end of her undergraduate degree, she began thinking seriously about her future. Strength and conditioning stood out to her as an area she wanted to explore, and the MSc in Sports Performance at UL seemed like the perfect fit.
There was just one challenge: Molly did not have an undergraduate degree in a related subject.
While researching the programme, she discovered that RPL offered an alternative route into the MSc, allowing her previous learning and experience to be considered as part of her application.
“If it wasn’t for UL having an RPL option there is no way I would be where I am today.”
Taking the RPL Route
Molly contacted the MSc course director and was given the opportunity to discuss her experience and ambitions.
The process involved strengthening her CV with relevant work experience and explaining through an essay why she would be a good fit for the programme.
Rather than seeing her previous degree as a barrier, the RPL process allowed Molly to demonstrate the skills, experience and motivation she had developed outside of a traditional sports science degree.
She made the decision almost a year before beginning the MSc, giving herself time to gain relevant experience and prepare her application.
Experience at PESS
Starting the MSc in Sports Performance gave Molly the opportunity to build on her existing experience and develop the knowledge and skills required for a career in strength and conditioning.
For Molly, gaining experience before entering the programme was particularly important. Her work in strength and conditioning helped confirm that this was the right career path for her.
She also credits the people she met throughout the programme as an important part of her experience at PESS.
“I knew the course was perfect for me and was what I wanted to pursue in my future career.”
From PESS to Professional Sport
Molly graduated from the MSc in Sports Performance in 2021. Since then, her career has taken her onto the international stage.
She now works with two professional tennis players on the WTA Tour, travelling internationally to tournaments around the world.
During her first year working in the role, Molly travelled to some of tennis’s biggest tournaments, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
For Molly, this career would not have been possible without taking the opportunity to pursue the MSc through RPL.
Her Advice to Future Students
For anyone considering applying to a postgraduate programme through RPL, Molly’s advice is to start early and make use of the people around you.
She recommends contacting the course director of the programme you’re interested in, asking questions and taking the time to understand what experience could strengthen your application.
She also highlights the importance of having confidence in yourself.
“It can be hard entering into a course when you know that your classmates have taken more similar modules… but take confidence in the fact that you want to be there and want to learn.”
Molly’s journey demonstrates how previous experience, motivation and a willingness to take a different route can open doors to new opportunities.
At UL, Recognition of Prior Learning provides an alternative pathway into higher education, recognising learning gained through different experiences and contexts.
For Molly, that pathway helped turn an interest in strength and conditioning into a career at the highest level of professional tennis.
Read more about Recognition of Prior Learning at the University of Limerick:
https://www.ul.ie/priorlearning/recognition-of-prior-learning-rpl-at-ul/
A version of this article was originally published on the University of Limerick’s Recognition of Prior Learning webpage: https://www.ul.ie/priorlearning/recognition-of-prior-learning-rpl-at-ul
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