What are you up to now? Scott Dougal

What do you miss most about being a student?  

Having my tea made for me. 

Breakfast, lunch and tea, seven days a week on campus. I must be a rare example of someone who went away to university and actually put on weight. 

What was your favourite place on campus?  

Loved the social bar with Nigel (lovely man now departed, sadly). 

But I think the Willie Tom, especially if you had a room facing over the city, was hard to beat. 

How does your life now compare to what your 21-year-old self imagined?

At 21, I had no concept of what I wanted to do at 22, far less 53… 

Probably the biggest change in the places I’ve worked has been the advent of digital - first the internet, then social media, now AI. All of which was unimaginable in 1994. 

Then in my personal life, I won a watch, as they say in Scotland, when I met Sarah. Changed my life for the better in a million ways, most significantly in that we have two amazing kids. 

What’s the most useful thing you learnt at uni you still use today?  

To work with people outside of my tribe. 

St Martin’s was, among other things, just big enough and just small enough.  

It was big enough to have a variety of people in it, but small enough that you couldn’t get away with just knocking about with people like you. It forced people together (in a nice St Martin’s way). 

What’s the one song that takes you back to uni days?  

Size of a Cow by the Wonderstuff (sadly). 

Current job title - Director of Communications and Digital for World Sailing 

Briefly explain what you do in your job...  

World Sailing is the international governing body for the sport of sailing and I’m responsible for a bunch of stuff, including communications, social media and content, broadcast, stakeholder engagement. 

What does a typical day look like?  

There isn’t really one. My time is split between home and our office in London with a bit of travel. I’ve worked in sport for 26 years and it’s rarely repetitive. 

How did you get from graduation to where you are today?  

Not sure, other than to try to get to do stuff that I found interesting. 

Faffed about a bit after graduating, then went to UCLan to do a journalism qualification. 

From there, got into a traineeship at the Press Association, then got heavily involved in Olympic sport in the build-up to London 2012. 

Decided on a career change, moving into communications, first with British Cycling, now with World Sailing. 

(Special mention for Carol Coates’ creative writing classes which helped develop my confidence). 

What are you currently reading, watching, or obsessed with?  

Currently reading Boyhood by David Keenan. It’s really good, but the best book I’ve read this year was This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin. 

Also highly recommend anything by fellow St Martin’s alumnus Lisa Timoney and her various aliases. 

Give us your Lancaster top tips… 

My son is at Lancaster University and last time I visited, we had pizza from Pizzetta Republic. The tuna and onion - my student go-to - was exactly as I remember it. 

Recommend the Stonewell Tap due to presence of fellow St Martin’s alumnus Esther Griffiths. 

What's your idea of a great weekend?  

With my family, up in the Borders (where I’m from), nice walk, nice food. 

What are you most proud of?  

My boys, I’m genuinely stunned to have helped produce such lovely people. 

What words of wisdom would you give your student self?  

Professionally, build your network as soon as you can, the world isn’t waiting to discover your brilliance. 

Personally, stick with Sarah and you won’t go far wrong. 

LINK LINK LINK!  

Check out Scott’s work here. 

Check out Scott’s recommendation and classmate Lisa Timoney here.  

We would love to hear about your student days and what you have been up to since, complete your 'What are you up to now' here.