Where are MSc PA Class of 2013 Now? Lorna Murdoch

Here is a link back to the list of the Class of 2013 interviews and the original “Where are they now” blog post.

Basic Profile

Name: Lorna Murdoch

PA Experience: 4 years

Current job(s): Supermarket work (2012-Present)Edinburgh Rugby Intern Performance Analyst (2013- Present)Scottish Women’s Rugby National Team Performance Analyst (2013-Present)

PA Highlights: Being given the opportunity to run the Performance Analysis set up for the National women’s rugby team and gaining valuable experience in international competitions.

Questions

1. Why did you decide to undertake the MSc PA course in September 2011 and what were you doing prior?  I had always had an interest in PA and was performing basic pen and paper analysis. I had applied for graduate/intern jobs but was told I did not have enough experience. The reason I wanted to do the MSc course was mainly because I would have access to more valuable experience. It was a last ditch attempt on my part to follow the career path I desired.

2. What was your experience like during the taught modules from September 2011 to June 2012?  I struggled with the academic aspect of the modules as it had been 4 years since I had been in that environment and a lot had changed in terms of technology used etc. The hands on experience however was excellent and I feel that’s where I gained the most from the course. Cardiff was a bit of a culture shock, being so far away from home, but it was good for having access to a large variety of sports and therefore inspiring different PA ideas.

3. What you have been up to since finishing the taught modules in June 2012?  As soon as I left Cardiff at the end of Summer 2012 I moved back to the north of Scotland and resumed my PA role with my county rugby team, with limited resources I was still able to hugely improve the PA feedback the team received. I spent 3 months unemployed and was job hunting for any work within sport/rugby around Scotland/UK. Eventually I took the plunge and moved myself to Edinburgh without a job, quickly got a Xmas temp job at Tesco and then a secondary job with a sports charity. That lastest 6/8 months. Lost the Charity job but right after that I was offered the Internship at Edinburgh Rugby. It is an unpaid role however as it is based at Murrayfield that led to me striking relationships with Scottish Rugby and led to my role with the national women’s team. The Women’s team has given me the chance to work to a high level under extreme pressure and time constraints and has taught me a lot. The biggest thing I have learnt is how to work with other coaches and forge good relationships with players without letting it affect my work.

4. What is your current paid/ voluntary job(s) now?  Edinburgh intern analyst – Unpaid, Scotland national Womens analyst – Paid (Expenses)

5. How do you feel about your PA career so far and for the future? I feel at the moment I have hit a hurdle in terms of the amount of time I have available to develop and the time I need to commit to work/overtime to cover costs of living in a city. I am determined to gain a full time position in this field though and feel the work I am doing is going to put me in good steding for that.

6. What advice would you give to somebody who is about to embark in a career in PA?  Get as much practical experience as possible and always ask for help if you need it/want to learn new things. The academic side is very useful, however the gold is in the work experience that can be gained. Also do not devalue your worth…there are too many unpaid internships but if you can show that you are valuable then teams will try to reimburse you if they can.

7. Recount is a memorable moment/ story involving thevolleyballanalyst?  Jay-z and Kanye West…..3am in the computer lab the night before assignment due……’its provocative! It gets the people going!!!’

8.  Anything else?