Ryan Steven

I first joined Marjon in September 2020, shortly after completing my A levels in an unusual year (covid lockdown). I was delighted to be accepted and, after visiting several universities including Loughborough, I knew Marjon was the right choice for me. I chose Sport and Exercise Science because of my background as a competitive swimmer and my interest in how elite athletes push themselves to achieve peak performance. By my second year, this passion had grown to include health and wellbeing more broadly.

University life brought challenges and opportunities, and I learned a lot about resilience and determination. With the support of friends, family, and the Marjon community, I developed the skills and confidence to succeed. As I approached the end of my BSc, I decided to take my studies further with an MSc—motivated by a desire to stand out in a competitive job market, challenge myself academically, and achieve something no one in my family had done before.

During my second-year placement, I gained hands-on experience in the university sports labs, assisting with elite athlete testing and health assessments for the public and emergency services. These included blood pressure checks, glucose and cholesterol testing, and body composition analysis. By my MSc year, I was trusted to work independently in the labs, supporting athletes and overseeing health checks. Alongside this, I mentored a GCSE science student, which was a rewarding experience that strengthened my communication and teaching skills. Both roles helped me develop core competencies I now use daily in my career as an Occupational Health Technician (OHT).

I completed my MSc in October 2024 and began exploring opportunities to apply my knowledge. In February 2025, I secured a full-time role as an OHT—interviewing for the position while on holiday in the French Alps! My practical experience in the sports labs proved invaluable during the process, reinforcing the importance of gaining hands-on experience wherever possible.

In my current role, I help ensure workers are fit for their roles and provide advice on improving health and wellbeing. I carry out a range of assessments, including:

• Audio testing

• Lung function testing (including respirable crystalline silica testing)

• Skin assessments

• Hand-arm vibration assessments

• Driver and forklift medicals

• Safety-critical medicals

• Night worker questionnaires

• Cold and hot worker questionnaires

• Drug and alcohol testing

• Glucose and cholesterol testing

Since starting in February 2025, I’ve visited over 40 worksites across the UK, supporting employees in diverse industries. I take great pride in my work and enjoy contributing to a growing field that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

Collecting my MSc degree in October 2025 was a proud moment, and I’m grateful to the entire Marjon team for their support in helping me reach this point.