Holly’s Story

“Make the most of the opportunities available to you and don’t be afraid to try something new”

Course(s) Studied: Level 3 Diploma in Art, Design and Communication

Former School: Mounts Bay Academy

After studying Art & Design at Penwith College and graduating from university with a degree in Fashion Marketing and Communications, former Mounts Bay Academy student Holly has built an exciting career in marketing, combining her creativity with her passion for sport.

Holly joined Penwith College in 2021, studied the Art & Design Diploma for two years, and completed the course in 2023.

Reflecting on her time at college, she says the freedom to explore different creative disciplines played a huge role in her development. “I really enjoyed having the opportunity to be creative and explore different areas of art and design. It gave me the freedom to experiment with different ideas, develop my skills and discover more about the creative industries. I also enjoyed meeting new people and being surrounded by others who shared similar creative interests.”

Following college, Holly progressed to Falmouth University, where she studied Fashion Marketing and Communications, graduating in June 2026.

Alongside her studies, Holly pursued her passion for football, an interest that would unexpectedly help shape her career path. “I’ve been playing football for several years and eventually became involved with Truro City Women. Initially, I attended a trial and hoped to volunteer by helping with the team’s media and social media.”

“Through this, I met Will, the Head of Truro City Community Trust, who later offered me a position within the Trust. It’s been a really exciting journey, as something that started as an opportunity to volunteer and get involved with women’s football turned into my current career.”

Holly currently works as Marketing Officer at Truro City Community Trust, helping to promote the Trust’s programmes, events and community initiatives.

Her role includes managing social media channels, creating marketing materials, writing press releases, supporting campaigns and events, and working with sponsors and partners. She also works closely with Truro City Women to help raise the profile of the team and women’s football across the region.

“My role is quite varied, which is something I really enjoy. No two days are the same, and I get the opportunity to be creative, meet different people and work on a range of projects. Working within a community trust is really rewarding because you can see the impact of the work you’re helping to promote. It’s nice knowing that the content and campaigns I create help raise awareness of opportunities that can make a difference to people locally.”

In a full-circle moment, Holly recently returned to Penwith College as part of her role with Truro City Community Trust, helping to capture media content showcasing the College’s Girls’ and Boys’ Football Academy partnership with the Trust.

Holly will continue to play a key role in supporting Truro City Women, managing the team’s social media presence on matchdays and creating behind-the-scenes content to help grow engagement and raise the profile of women’s football across Cornwall.

Looking to the future, Holly is keen to continue building her experience across marketing, communications and content creation, particularly within sport, fashion and the creative industries.

Advice for current students

Holly encourages current students to embrace opportunities and keep an open mind. “Make the most of the opportunities available to you and don’t be afraid to try something new, even if you’re not completely sure where it might lead.”

“Getting involved in things outside of your course, gaining work experience, volunteering and meeting new people can open doors you might not have expected. My current job came from an opportunity I initially approached as volunteering, so you never really know where something might take you.

“Don’t feel pressured to have your whole career figured out straight away. It’s okay for your plans to change as you discover new interests and opportunities. Keep an open mind, work hard and make the most of the experiences along the way.”

Hear more from our Alumni and Current Students here: Case Studies Archive – Truro & Penwith College