life after degree?

bangles

Hi,

Im completing my degree in applied psychology this year. ultimately, I want to get into clinical psychology, one of the courses in either dublin limerick or galway. However, I know its a long slog to get into those courses, and that I need to gain relevant experience. Can anyone recommed the kinds of postions i should take when I finish my degree which would help me get into a clinical psych course?

Thanks!

mc-panda

Well firstly there's the Holy Grail of experience: the Assistant Psychologist. Good luck on that front.

Failing that (or waiting for it), you should consider trying some basic roles such as working for help-lines (e.g.: AWARE, The Samaritans).

Try getting work with populations that a psychologist would ultimately come into contact with. Apply for social care worker and/or care assistant positions with residential care facilities.

There's loads of experience out there. Just be careful not to focus all your attention on whatever you get into first. Once you have, for instance, enough experience with young people; move on. Get some experience within the I.D sector then. Just keep moving; expand your skillsets.

And Good luck. Who knows, I might even see you at the application stages!

The Black Oil

Agree with mc-panda, usually they say experience with a potential client group or somewhere a psychologist will be on site, and also that you're under their supervision.

Some research experience wouldn't go amiss either.

Have a look at the clinical slides here http://www.psihq.ie/members_studentNews.asp

JuliusCaesar

mc-panda wrote: »

Failing that (or waiting for it), you should consider trying some basic roles such as working for help-lines (e.g.: AWARE, The Samaritans).

Group facilitation skills with ocdireland? They're often looking for volunteers.

Gibs

Don't forget to focus on obtaining research experience, preferably in a clinical context. Most of the courses have a heavy emphasis on research and will expect you to be up to speed with conducting research. You are supposed to be attending the course to learn how to work clinically with people, but many applicants fall down on their research skills. It´s important to be able to present a profile when applying that suggests you will be able to handle the research component of the course (usually a major thesis and several other pieces of research work) without needing support on acquiring basic research methods and skills. If you have loads of clinical experience but little research experience, you will probably find it difficult to obtain a place.

Best of luck!