Marni (marni.andrews.17@ucl.ac.uk) will be sharing the experiences and guidance from the UCL PHD alumni community.
Silvia, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: I graduated in 2019 and I am currently enrolled in the MRes in Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at UCL. As part of my course, I will be completing a lab placement in Yale, US, and I think I will pursue a PhD after that. My time as a student on the Psychology with Education course really ignited my passion for research thanks to all the amazing mentors and professors I worked with.
Advice I would give: Some advice I would give to current students is to try out different things and get involved in projects even if they feel a bit out of your comfort zone. I found it really helpful to understand where my interests lie and to get some experience.
Mandeep, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: I applied to the Teach First Development Programme in my third year, and I started the programme straight after my degree. So, now I am a secondary trainee maths teacher, working towards getting my NQT this year.
Advice I would give: I would say make sure you enjoy your time with your classmates at university and really engage with the lecturers, as they are very supportive and offer great advice.
Levi, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: I graduated in 2019 and I am currently employed as a Recovery Worker for a Complex Needs Service whereby I support individuals recovering from mental health issues and additional complex needs such as drug and alcohol misuse and learning difficulties. My time on the Psychology with Education course increased my passion surrounding mental health especially when I enrolled on a module about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I hope to one day train as a Clinical Psychologist.
Advice I would give: My biggest piece of advice I would give to current students is to gain experience wherever you can – you never know when it might come in useful!
Anita, BSc Psychology
During my undergraduate degree, I began developing an interest in Clinical Psychology so I took on a few roles including Samaritans Listener (providing emotional support to those experiencing distress via telephone, email and face-to-face).
What I’m doing now: After graduating in 2017, I went onto complete an MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences at UCL in 2018. During this year, I also worked as an Assistant Psychologist (in both a private practice and in the NHS). After my MSc, I worked in a Medium Secure Forensic Hospital (NHS) as an Assistant Psychologist for several months before beginning my training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Somerset/Exeter University. To this day, I am receiving specialised training in assessing and treating people with common mental health problems (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia etc). I also continue to work for Spill (a company which gives employees counselling and therapy when they are going through a tough time) – my role within this company is to assess and provide support to anyone that refers themselves. I have since gone on to publish my first paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-019-01786-8?wt_mc=Internal.Event.1.SEM.ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst&utm_source=ArticleAuthorContributingOnlineFirst
&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AA_en_06082018&ArticleAuthorContributingOnlineFirst_20191023
Advice I would give: I have come a long way since my undergraduate degree (I was never a confident speaker, researcher or self-assured when it came to my interpersonal skills). I also did not really know which career path I wanted to follow until I started volunteering, saying ‘yes’ to any opportunities that came my way and being proactive and emailing Psychologists, Charities, Lecturers etc across the UK to see what clinical/research-related projects/jobs were taking place and finding out how I could get involved. It was only in my final year during my undergraduate studies (and after having mounted some clinical and research experience in my repertoire) that I realised how much I value being able to support others experiencing psychological distress.
Tirso, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: Whilst doing my undergraduate I worked for a startup accelerator in Oxford. I became really interested in how entrepreneurship and innovation could change the way we learn, teach and assess in classrooms. I graduated in 2019 and enrolled on Masters in Management at Cambridge. Next year I’ll be going to Harvard as a postgraduate fellow in Technology, Innovation and Education.
Advice I would give: Join as many societies as possible. Try to join at least 10 societies in first year, and go to their first two events. UCL societies are an amazing opportunity to meet new people, have a great time and even find super interesting career opportunities!
Hamza, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: After graduating in 2018, I continued further study by taking up a masters in Health Psychology at UCL. The course put into perspective how much I miss working in the field of education, from a psychological standpoint. I worked during my masters and still am working in a Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) centre part of a larger mainstream school, teaching the national curriculum as a trainee teacher, with the hope of applying to the educational psychology doctorate next year.
Jonathan, MSc Psychology of Education
What I’m doing now: I graduated in 2018. I then went on to work as an assistant educational psychologist immediately after my course finished. My time as a student on the MSc really helped to refine my areas of interest in educational psychology. In September, I will be starting the Doctorate in Educational Psychology to train as an educational psychologist at UCL Institute of Education. The MSc was a great stepping stone towards this.
Advice I would give: My biggest pieces of advice would be to keep an open mind, gain experience where you can, and listen to your feedback from course tutors!
Zainab, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: I graduated in 2019 and am currently studying a full-time Masters in Clinical Mental Health Sciences at UCL. As part of my current studies, I have undertaken a clinical placement in the Child and Adolescent psychiatry department at University College London Hospital and work two part time jobs: a finance assistant at Students’ Union UCL and a policy research administrator at Mental Health Policy Research Unit. Once completing my Msc, I plan to find a job as an assistant psychologist or research assistant, before pursuing my dream to become a Clinical Psychologist.
Advice I would give: I know everyone always says get experience, but really, do get experience. If you don’t know where to start, a good place would be the Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service where you can filter out volunteering opportunities to specific mental health related ones. Every opportunity is useful – you will ALWAYS learn something, even if you hate it! Remember, every opportunity counts towards experience and you can discuss all of your experiences in interviews and personal statements!
Michele, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: After graduating in 2018, I took a gap year and became a 200 Hour certified vinyasa yoga teacher. Prior to that, I interned at a private psychiatry clinic for three months, supporting individuals with Eating Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Cluster B Personality Traits. I am currently completing an MSc in Psychological Research at the University of Oxford. Whilst there, I have interned at Matthew Rushworth’s Decision and Action Lab on a TMS study examining the neural substrates of social metacognition. I am also a research team member with Elaine Fox’s Oxford Centre for Emotions and Affective Neuroscience (OCEAN) Lab on the Oxford ARC Study—an ongoing study investigating the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on mental health in adolescents and their caregivers. Following my MSc, I plan to work as an Assistant Psychologist before applying for the DClinPsy in 2021.
Advice I would give: Make use of office hours! Most people don’t use them, but they’re there for a reason. Your professors have a wealth of knowledge and are always willing to give advice or extra help, so take advantage of that! Intern every summer if you can. Even if it’s just for 1-2 months, it’s so critical to get experience in the field so you know if you truly enjoy practicing psychology on a day-to-day basis. Make sure to have fun as well! It’s worth joining some societies (Dance Soc is great) and traveling during your undergraduate degree while you still can.
Farah, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: After graduating in 2017 I took a year out to gain valuable work experience. I worked for a small social enterprise start-up and focused on finding a postgraduate field I was interested in pursuing. In 2019 I graduated from the London School of Economics (LSE) with an MSc in Psychology of Economic Life. I’m currently working as a research assistant and hoping to eventually pursue a PhD.
Advice I would give: Make the most of your time as an undergraduate student. Meet new people, join societies, get involved during seminars and try to get some work experience. It’s ok to feel out of your comfort zone sometimes, it will help you grow and find your true values and interests. I know you’ve heard it all before, but it really is so important.
Zain, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: After graduating in 2018, I spent a year working as a learning support assistant at a nursery and school for children with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, and global developmental delay. I am now undertaking my MSc in Speech and Language Therapy at City, University of London.
Advice I would give: (1) Take advantage of the support you have available at your fingertips now. Ask for help or decision-making advice when you need it. If your tutors don’t have the answer, they’ll be sure to signpost you to someone else who might. (2) Volunteer and intern where you can and as much as you can. This also helps if you’re unsure about how you want to progress your career, as every experience is a learning opportunity. (3) Attend research seminars – you never know what might spark an idea or interest.
Farahin, BSc Psychology with Education
What I’m doing now: Upon returning to Malaysia in October, I started working two part-time jobs: as a rhythmic gymnastics coach for primary aged children and a preschool teacher to 3-4 year olds, whilst looking for a permanent job in the field of psychology. Due to the pandemic, I started my full-time job at the end of July as opposed to the initial start date of March. I’m now a full-time behavioural therapist at Early Autism Project Malaysia but I do still coach my gymnasts part-time.
Advice I would give: Join activities both within UCL and out of it – especially if it’s something outside of your comfort zone. You really never know what skills may come in handy at any given time based on these experiences you’ve gained! See some of your classmates beyond the classroom and thoroughly immerse yourself in the entire university experience of going to classes, engaging with your lecturers (and personal tutor!!) and being part of some societies. You’ll miss it when it’s over!