2023 May Alumni of the Month
2023 May Alumni of the Month
Why did you choose to study at UEL?
In 2010, UEL was the only European university offering a Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP). I felt like this was the right course for me because I wanted to help people and this course gave me this opportunity.
What is your one special memory of your time at UEL?
The Docklands campus is opposite city airport and I enjoyed watching the planes taking off and landing. It was very calming to see the planes land towards the city skyline during the early evening sunset – it was beautiful.
What have you done since graduating from UEL?
After graduating, I continued working with students in nursing and midwifery as a graduate teaching assistant at Middlesex University for two years. I developed workshops on overcoming stress at work and using a positive mindset to deal with daily struggles. I then continued to pursue a PhD in Health Psychology in Germany. I developed my expertise in applying positive psychology to sustainable health behaviour change to improve one’s health and well-being.
I worked with young sports enthusiasts with some of them who couldn’t pursue their career as professional athletes due to injuries. I helped them to discover new career pathways by identifying their strengths and developing core skills in the labour market, employability, and personal development, as well as Diversity and Inclusion. I continued my research on mindfulness practices among athletes and their health and well-being. I am constantly working to create awareness of the prevention of physical and mental illnesses by living a balanced, healthy lifestyle with aligning self, body, and mind. After gaining my Ph.D., I worked as a Post-doc Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Social Science of Sport at the University of Münster, Germany. I worked with young sports enthusiasts, some of whom could not pursue their careers as professional athletes due to injuries. I helped them discover new career pathways by identifying their strengths. I continued researching mindfulness practices among athletes and their health and well-being
What is your current job role? And what does it involve?
I left my academic role and am working as a manager of the MBA career centre at one of the best business schools in Germany. I continue to help young professional MBA students discover their potential by overcoming self-doubt and finding their future direction. I am also building my own business in consulting companies to help employees, especially leaders, find and build a balanced leadership and create a positive workplace that will improve their health and well-being.
How did UEL help you get to where you are now?
UEL gave me choices and opportunities for my different interests and needs. It offered me support to help me discover my best self. I still use the knowledge and skills I learned about positive psychology to help others. The skills I acquired at UEL will stay with me forever and have helped me build a foundation for a good future career.
What advice would you give your younger self?
UEL gave me a wide range of choices and opportunities to suit my different interests and needs. It offered me support to help me discover my best self. I still use the knowledge and skills I learned about positive psychology to help others and the skills I acquired at UEL will stay with me forever.
What advice would you give to UEL current students preparing to graduate?
Make sure you look within yourself and learn about who you are, including your values, strengths, and unique selling points. Keep on trying to widen your horizons, and do not limit yourself. Use all the available resources and networking opportunities UEL provide. They have excellent career support and an excellent Students’ Union.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know:
I speak seven languages, and this has been a valuable and meaningful tool in my personal and professional life. It allows me to reach people with stories worldwide when I travel. I love music, singing, yoga, and finding creative ways to create awareness of mindfulness practice.
If you were to do it all again, would you still choose UEL?
Definitely! I would recommend UEL as a great place to study and learn about yourself.
![Shu Ling Tan profile image](/sites/default/files/styles/image_1266x712/public/shu-ling-tan.jpg.webp?itok=XXWpf5tC)