Rianne Butler
Rianne Butler began her studies in beauty therapy in Galway after finishing school, having realised that the points required for physiotherapy were out of reach at the time.
She gained experience working in salons, spas, and in fashion sales at Brown Thomas. In 2016, she relocated to Dubai, where she worked as cabin crew with Emirates for three years, allowing her to travel extensively and explore many parts of the world. After leaving the airline, she remained in Dubai for another two years, managing a beauty salon.
Despite her career progress, Rianne always held onto her ambition of becoming a physiotherapist.
In 2021, she made the decision to return to Ireland and enrolled in the Pre-University Physiotherapy course at Coláiste Íde College of Further Education.
This enabled her to progress directly into the second year of a BSc in Sports Therapy – Advanced Entry at Portobello Institute, from which she graduated with an honours degree after two years.
When she learned that Portobello Institute was offering an MSc in Physiotherapy (Pre-registration), she described it as ‘music to my ears.’
Having already studied at Portobello Institute and being familiar with the quality of teaching, Rianne met the entry requirements and didn’t hesitate to apply for her MSc in Physiotherapy.
“I absolutely followed my passion by studying this course. I’ve always had a strong interest in sport, health, fitness, and overall wellness, and I’ve been driven by a desire to help others improve their quality of life through movement and healthy living,” she said.
Her story is one of never giving up on following your true passion, no matter where life takes you on the journey.
Finding Her Way Back to a Lifelong Passion
Rianne first considered a career in physiotherapy straight out of school, but the points required at the time made it seem out of reach.
Years later, despite the success she found abroad, Rianne couldn’t shake the feeling that she had more to give.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people for a living. I was sports mad growing up, having represented Connacht in tennis and hockey, I was used to dealing with physios, injury recovery and prevention.
“That passion never left me, and I researched in depth about the profession and how I could someday be qualified.
“My mother was a secondary school teacher, so education was always important to me. I enjoy learning new things and as a physiotherapist there are always courses and opportunities to upskill and broaden your learning,” she said.
“Portobello Institute offering a MSc in Physiotherapy was music to my ears and having experienced Portobello as a college before and the calibre of their lecturers, I didn’t hesitate to apply,” she said.
A Student Experience That Fit Her Life
As a mature student commuting from Sligo, flexibility was crucial for Rianne. Portobello’s blended learning delivery method made it possible for her to balance her studies with everyday life.
“My time as a student at Portobello Institute was a really positive and rewarding experience. As a mature student, I was a bit nervous going back to education, but I quickly felt at ease thanks to the supportive environment and the mix of students from different age groups and backgrounds.
“I definitely think it has been the right fit for me and I have felt that I have been well-supported in my journey.
“It was encouraging to be surrounded by others who could relate to the challenges of juggling study with other responsibilities.
“One of the best things about studying at Portobello was the flexibility. The combination of online and in-person classes really suited my lifestyle and made it easier to stay engaged.
“The variety kept things fresh and prevented the course from ever feeling repetitive. I was able to manage my time better and still feel connected to the learning community.
“The lecturers were another highlight. They were genuinely supportive and approachable, always quick to respond to emails and answer any questions I had.
“Their encouragement and guidance played a big part in helping me stay motivated throughout the course.
“Overall, studying at Portobello Institute gave me a strong foundation both academically and personally, and I’m really glad I chose to pursue my studies there.
“Another major advantage has been learning from lecturers who bring years of real-world experience to the classroom. Many of them are still actively practicing, which means the knowledge and insights they share are current, practical, and directly relevant to what’s happening in the industry today.
“Their expertise has really helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, and it’s been incredibly motivating to learn from professionals who clearly love what they do,” she said.
Gaining Confidence Through Practical Experience
Hands-on practical work placements prepare Portobello Institute students for entering the workforce upon graduation.
Rianne’s two work placements were a vital part of her experience.
She first worked at Siel Bleu, a non-profit promoting health and independence through exercise for older adults and people with disabilities. They work with older adults, patient groups, community organisations, people living with physical and intellectual disabilities.
“My second placement was an online Neurological Physiotherapy course. It was delivered by the Health academy in the UK, consisting of seven weeks and five different neuro-conditions, including Parkinson’s, MS, ALS, Stroke, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Cerebral palsy.
“During this placement, we studied the conditions, created presentations and dissected real life case studies. I found this placement to be a pleasant surprise, it was engaging and extremely informative,” she said.
Looking Ahead: Realising Her Lifelong Dream
Looking ahead to her successful completion of the MSc, Rianne is setting her sights on international experience.
“I hope to gain some experience in a private clinic, ideally focusing on neuro physio. I also hope to travel to Australia and gain some experience working as a physio over there.
“With this course, the HCPC accreditation allows me to achieve that dream of living and working in Australia.
“I feel that this qualification is setting me up really well for a successful career after graduation.
“One of the key benefits has been the exposure to the many different avenues within the physiotherapy and health field.
“It’s helped me understand the wide range of opportunities available and given me a clearer idea of the areas I’m most passionate about.
“Overall, I feel confident that the skills, knowledge, and understanding I’ve gained through this course are giving me a strong foundation to build a meaningful and successful career in the health and fitness field,” she said.
If you are interested in studying Health Science at Portobello Institute, visit our faculty here.
