"Take every opportunity to learn something, even if it doesn’t seem directly related to your chosen field of specialization."

1) NAME AND SURNAME
Elena Graffi Brunoro

2) CURRENT COMPANY, ROLE, AND LOCATION
Freelance professional and collaborator at Psicologi dello Sport Italia (Padua)

3) STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE: DEGREE/MASTER’S/PHD
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences and Techniques

4) FURTHER EDUCATION (AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES: DEGREE/MASTER’S/PHD)
Master’s Degree in Applied Cognitive Psychology at the University of Padua
Master in Sport Psychology and Coaching at C.I.S.S.P.A.T. Padua

5) TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF
I have been part of the sports world since childhood—first as an alpine skiing athlete, and now as a coach and sport psychologist.

My sports career sparked my passion for psychology. After completing my degree, I pursued a master in Sport Psychology and carried out various internships in the same field, where I also had the opportunity to observe the use of biofeedback technology with professional athletes. Today, I work in the field of sport psychology, offering both consulting and training.

I collaborate with youth athletes from various sports teams and federations, particularly in basketball, rugby, baseball, and alpine skiing.

As part of my training activities, I work in the psychological-didactic area of ski instructor courses for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in Friuli Venezia Giulia. I also collaborated with a sports-oriented high school on a project aimed at promoting sport psychology among younger students.

6) WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Sport has always been part of my life, and being able to make it a part of my professional career as well is a real privilege. Supporting athletes along their journey and helping them overcome difficult moments is without doubt the most fulfilling aspect of my work.

7) WHAT DO YOU CARRY WITH YOU FROM YOUR STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE?
At the University of Trieste, I took my first course in Sport Psychology. That’s where I truly understood the role a psychologist can play in this field. As an athlete, I had always believed in the importance of psychological support, and that belief is what led me to this career path. During my studies, I learned how to help athletes and discovered that it’s not only about enhancing performance, but about helping them fully express their potential.

Also, during my undergraduate studies in Trieste, I was still an active athlete, and in 2017 I took part in the Winter Universiade in Kazakhstan—one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

8) WHAT SKILLS OR QUALITIES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR JOB?
Before being sport psychologists, we are psychologists. So, having strong listening skills is fundamental in providing the support that athletes truly need. It’s essential to assess each athlete’s specific needs using scientifically-based tools such as tests, questionnaires, and structured or semi-structured interviews, in order to create tailored intervention plans. Even the techniques we use to assist athletes must be grounded in scientific theory.

Moreover, sport psychologists often work within multidisciplinary teams—especially, for instance, during injury recovery—so the ability to collaborate effectively and communicate well within a group is crucial.

Lastly, though equally important, a sport psychologist must understand the sports environment. They need to know the rules, terminology, and the pressures and challenges athletes face in their competitive context.

9) WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A RECENT GRADUATE STARTING THEIR JOB SEARCH?
First of all, believe in yourself and your abilities!

Although everyone has their own "dream job," at the beginning it can be useful to explore different experiences. Don’t immediately turn down a job opportunity just because it’s not what you see yourself doing forever. Every opportunity is a chance to learn something. Today, soft skills are increasingly valued in the workplace. The broader your set of professional and personal skills, the more versatile and adaptable you’ll be.

It’s not always easy to find a job right after university, so in the meantime it can be helpful to enhance your knowledge and skills by attending relevant initiatives, seminars, or conferences. Also, the pre-graduation internship is a great opportunity to expand your professional network.

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