Students from the BTEC Level 3 Sport, Fitness and Personal Training and Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services programmes at South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Bangor Campus recently welcomed guest speaker, Matthew McMahon, an industry professional, who provided valuable insight into careers within the health, fitness and wellbeing sector.
Matthew, who owns personal training business Inside Strength, and serves as a firefighter with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, shared his career journey with students during the session. A Sport Science graduate and qualified personal trainer, Matthew has built over a decade of experience in the fitness industry, helping clients achieve their health and performance goals while balancing a successful career in public service.
During the visit, students gained first-hand knowledge of the opportunities available within the sport and fitness sector, learning about the skills, qualifications and determination required to succeed in a competitive industry. Matthew discussed his diverse sporting background, which has included professional football, bodybuilding competitions, powerlifting, marathon running, boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning.
Speaking about the visit James Gillen, Course Coordinator said, “Bringing industry experts into the classroom helps our students better understand potential career pathways and inspires them as they develop their own professional ambitions. Working with industry practitioners, such as Matthew, enriches the learning experience and ensures our students gain valuable insights from those who have successfully built careers in the sport, fitness and leisure industry.”
