In this alumni interview we hear from 2017 graduate Hannah Cochrane who is Sales & Business Development Manager at Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

Tell us about your time at the University and your initial career plans.

When exploring career options as a young adult I found myself gravitating towards Education, following my mum into the industry that she has loved for over 25 years. As a young person, I found it difficult to decide on my career path. At 16, I had part-time jobs in local hospitality venues, which I absolutely loved. However, I noticed that hospitality as a profession at that time, wasn’t as well represented as other industries at careers fayres. With my interests lying in Communication, English, and Creativity, I chose to pursue Early Education, with the goal of becoming a Primary School teacher and was delighted when I was accepted to study at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).

My time at university offered a fantastic mix of educational and professional development. I chose to commute to campus, taking advantage of the car-sharing initiative promoted by the university. The course content was both engaging and challenging, requiring us to balance theory with government initiatives and discussion-based topics. Some of my favourite memories from UWS are the strong relationships I built with my peers—friendships that have lasted long beyond graduation. The lecturers on our course were all incredibly supportive, particularly when it came to tasks involving public speaking and presentations.

Looking back nine years later, I’m extremely grateful to have been pushed out of my comfort zone. Presenting is now a regular part of my current role, and those early experiences have truly shaped my confidence and communication skills today.

You graduated from the Childhood Studies degree at the Ayr Campus but moved into a career in the events and hospitality sector. How did that come about?

While I loved studying Childhood Studies and had originally intended to pursue a career in Education, I found myself continuing to take on Hospitality roles alongside my studies. I worked at a local wedding venue throughout my time at university along with many Glasgow-based hotel brands, and they quickly became more than just a part-time job—it sparked a real passion for delivering memorable experiences and working with people.

As I neared graduation, I realised how much I thrived in fast-paced, customer-facing environments. I was energised by the creativity, collaboration, and people-first nature of the hospitality and events industry. It felt like a natural transition for me, combining the communication and planning skills I’d developed during my degree with the hands-on experience I’d gained through work.

Although my path took a different turn than I initially expected, the foundations built during my degree—particularly around communication, emotional adaptivity and leadership—have proven incredibly valuable in my events and hospitality career. It’s a shift I’m so glad I made.

Tell us a little more about how your career has developed over the years.

My career in the events and hospitality sector began quite organically. After university, I transitioned into a full-time role as Wedding Co-ordinator at House for an Art Lover, where I had already been working part-time. That role gave me a brilliant foundation in client relationships, event planning and delivery, with the help of some incredible mentors, it confirmed that this was the industry I wanted to grow within.

From there, I took on a variety of roles across the city each offering new challenges and learning opportunities. I’ve been lucky to work with some fantastic teams and brands such as Thai Leisure Group and Dakota Hotels, each helping me build in confidence and refine my understanding of the industry. Along the way, I became involved in fantastic networking communities, such as Society for Incentive Tourism Excellence (SITE) Scotland.

Over time, my focus shifted more toward corporate events and I developed a real ambition to sell Glasgow as a destination for events. As a proud Glaswegian, the “People Make Glasgow” slogan has always resonated with me.

Looking back, I can see how each step—no matter how small at the time—played a part in shaping where I am today. I’ve always been someone who says yes to opportunity, and that’s really defined my career journey so far.

You got involved in a podcast during Covid. What was the premise behind the podcast?

During the Covid lockdowns, while Hospitality businesses were beginning to reopen, I co-created a podcast called Pure Buzzin with industry peers. It was born out of a shared need for connection, positivity, and a bit of escapism during such an uncertain time.

We were delighted to have been offered funding from Glasgow Taxis, with an audio & visual partnership being offered from the team at Strathclyde University.

The idea was to create a space where we could chat openly about the industry highs, lows, and everything in between—with a healthy dose of humour thrown in. We wanted to highlight everyday stories and experiences that people could relate to, shining light on positive news particularly during a difficult time for the sector. It was all about finding joy in the small things and creating a sense of community when we couldn’t physically be together. We didn’t take ourselves too seriously, but I am proud of the industry leaders and inspirational talent that we managed to speak with.

What is your current role and organisation?

As Sales & Business Development Manager, I am part of the Conference Sales team at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, working within the corporate sector. My role involves attracting and supporting local, national and international events, with a strong focus on building relationships, showcasing the value of our destination, and ensuring clients experience the very best of what the SEC—and Glasgow—has to offer. The team here are incredible & I am delighted to be learning so much from them.

I’ve been fortunate to be involved in initiatives that go beyond events and contribute to broader change. I am currently part of the SEC’s Green team, which supports clients in running more sustainable conferences and actively aligns with our Net Zero ambitions. As a campus we are ambitiously moving towards achieving this status by 2030 so it’s a very exciting time to be part of the business.

It’s a role that’s not only dynamic and rewarding but also gives me the chance to make a meaningful impact—both within the industry and the wider community.

You were recently awarded a HIT Scotland scholarship celebrating Women in Tourism. Can you tell us more about HIT and the scholarship?

I was delighted to receive a HIT Scotland scholarship. This recognition came after being awarded the Rising Star Award at the Scottish Thistle Awards 2025, which was an incredible moment for me.

HIT Scotland is a fantastic organisation that supports learning and development within the hospitality and tourism industry. Their scholarships are designed to inspire, invest in, and upskill individuals across all levels of the sector. The Women in Tourism scholarship recognises the contributions of women in the industry and supports their continued growth and leadership.

As part of the scholarship, I’ll be taking part in a tailored development experience, which I’m really excited about. It’s a brilliant chance to develop and bring fresh ideas back into my role at the SEC. I’m incredibly grateful to HIT for the opportunity, and I hope to use it to continue championing collaboration and inclusion within our sector.

If you could offer one piece of advice or top tip to recent graduates what would it be?

My biggest piece of advice would be say yes to opportunities, even if they don’t follow the exact path you imagined for yourself. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from roles or experiences I didn’t initially expect to take on.

Your degree is just the beginning—it gives you a foundation, but the experiences, relationships, and resilience you build along the way that truly shape your journey. Be open, stay curious, and take chances on things that feel slightly out of your comfort zone. I’ve come to thrive under the motto ‘become comfortable with the uncomfortable’.