Sports Journalism alumna Ailsa Cowen talks about her career

Since graduating from the University of Central Lancashire’s Sports Journalism course, Ailsa’s career has gone from strength to strength and she’s now working as a Social Media Assistant at talkSPORT.

From a young age, Ailsa enjoyed writing and playing football and chose to study BA (Hons) Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, so she could pursue a career path that brought her two passions together. Talking about her degree choice, Ailsa said: “The facilities, the location, the lecturers and the passion for journalism struck me straight away. I knew it was the place for me to start my journey.”

During her time at University, Ailsa took part in industry-standard news days which Sports Journalism students experience from year one. On Ailsa’s last news day, she reported live from pitch side at Bolton Wanderers F.C. using the equipment that she was trained to use during her time in the T.V studios at UCLan.

Talking about her degree experience, Ailsa said: “Our course leaders, Steve and Gerrie, left a lasting impression on me that hard work and passion for sports journalism is what will get you where you want to be.”

Ailsa Cowen, BA (Hons) Sports Journalism graduate
Ailsa Cowen, BA (Hons) Sports Journalism graduate

"I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without UCLan. The course I chose prepared me perfectly for life in the journalism world."

— Ailsa Cowen, BA (Hons) Sports Journalism graduate

The draw of sport took Ailsa away from her role at Cognitive Publishing and she started freelancing for football news site, GOAL. After a stint at GOAL, Ailsa’s former course leader, Steve Canavan, contacted her about a social media role being advertised at talkSPORT. Ailsa was successful in securing the job and she now works at talkSPORT where she edits and maintains their social media channels and works directly with the editorial team to help grow the talkSPORT community.

Talking about her greatest achievement since graduation, Ailsa said: “Getting my current job at talkSPORT is the biggest pinch me moment I’ve had since finding out I got a first-class class degree! I never dreamed I’d get to work somewhere like this, especially after graduating only a few years ago.”