HSDC was delighted to welcome Portsmouth FC defender Conor Shaughnessy to the College for an exclusive Q&A session with Sports students at the South Downs Campus, offering them career advice as well as providing them with first-hand insight into the mindset, discipline and resilience required to succeed as an athlete.
Conor is an Irish centre-back who has been a key figure for Pompey since joining the club in 2023, famously scoring in the last minute against Barnsley to secure the Blues’ promotion to the EFL Championship in 2024.
Conor’s visit formed a crucial part of HSDC’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for their next steps, whether that’s progressing to university, beginning an Apprenticeship, or entering the workplace with confidence and purpose. Students were given the valuable opportunity to ask Conor about his career journey, and were given fantastic advice on how to deal with setbacks and maintain professionalism even when the going gets tough.
When asked if he would have any advice for his younger self, Conor said:
“It’s so important to keep yourself open to every opportunity available to you. Even if you’re not sure what you want to do in the future, don’t close off any options! It’s also key to break down your goals day by day, developing the habits and consistency for success is crucial.”
Conor was joined by Ryan Corby from Portsmouth FC’s Marketing Team, who was able to give students a unique perspective on the inner workings of a football club, especially on matchdays. This was fantastic for the students, many of whom were diehard Pompey fans, to find out more about how their club operates behind the scenes.
The event also welcomed representatives from the University of Portsmouth, the club’s primary sponsor, who delivered an informative session outlining the wide range of career pathways available to Sports students after completing their studies at College. HSDC is incredibly proud of its strong ties to the University, as this provides our students with a strong and clear pathway to their future careers.
Opportunities like these underpin HSDC’s core mission – to ensure that students leave college not only with excellent academic and practical skills, but also with the confidence, aspirations and industry understanding needed to thrive. Hosting a high-profile local player gave the Sports students a real sense of inspiration and excitement, as Conor encouraged them to stay committed, set ambitious goals and take pride in continual improvement, values that reflect HSDC’s own ethos.
Conor added:
“Surrounding yourself with good people, both in and outside of school, is so important in reaching your goals. They will encourage you to put in the effort you need to succeed, helping you to stay resilient at every turn. Embrace the pressure in work, school and life, but don’t be afraid to talk to those around you for help.”
South Downs’ Sports Department and world-class Careers Team celebrated the event as an invaluable opportunity for students to learn directly from professionals and higher education specialists, strengthening their understanding of what the future may hold.
HSDC extends its gratitude to Portsmouth FC and the University of Portsmouth for supporting this inspiring and forward-looking experience for the next generation of sports professionals.