Query about work experience for psychology?

síofra

Hi!! I'm currently researching the possiblity of doing a conversion course in Psychology but before I do so would like to do some sort of work experience or work shadowing in the area. I am interested in counselling psychology. Any suggestions? I'm currently living in Dublin.

speedy2007

Hi,

Im studying psychology part time, so its going to take a few years before i even have my degree. But i was made redundant a couple of mths ago and having a hard time finding work (like everyone else) in my current area of qualification(I.T.)
Anyway, as psych is where i want my career to head, i was wondering would it be of any advantage to be a care assistant. Would this count as good work experience for a future psych grad to have??
I was looking at the Fetac Level 5 healthcare course in Fas to get a cert in the area.
Dont know if maybe i should put this in the work and jobs forum, but my main query is just whether caring for the elderly/mentally disabled count as good work experience for the future?
Or is it really all about experience in research?

Thanks

BeanieBaby

Where you look for work/voluntary work really depends on the area you may consider specialising in.

IMHO, I would be more inclined to explore the area of ABI (Acquired Brain Injuries) rather than the fields of geriatrics/mental disability. The area of ABI will give you a deeper understanding of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuropsychology. And will also give you a concept of the functioning in "normal" individuals.

You might consider an organisation such as the Peter Radley foundation.

Doghouse

speedy2007 wrote: »

Hi,

Im studying psychology part time, so its going to take a few years before i even have my degree. But i was made redundant a couple of mths ago and having a hard time finding work (like everyone else) in my current area of qualification(I.T.)
Anyway, as psych is where i want my career to head, i was wondering would it be of any advantage to be a care assistant. Would this count as good work experience for a future psych grad to have??
I was looking at the Fetac Level 5 healthcare course in Fas to get a cert in the area.
Dont know if maybe i should put this in the work and jobs forum, but my main query is just whether caring for the elderly/mentally disabled count as good work experience for the future?
Or is it really all about experience in research?

Thanks

If you want to go on to study clinical psychology they expect you to have both clinical and research experience. Being a care assistant for the elderly/mentally disabled would definitely count as clinical experience (going by what the colleges say anyway). The best experience to have from the point of view of becoming a psychologist would be something where you get to work under the supervision of a psychologist. However, realistically that's more likely to happen after you've a degree in the area. ABI is a good area to get experience in but I've been told that they (people who run the clinical courses) like you to have experience in a few different relevant areas so I don't think it's necessarily *better* than other types of experience. In my case that's where I've done most of my clinically relevant work but I definitely need to do more in the areas of mental health/intellectual disability. The bottom line is that it's all about what you learn from the job and how you can reflect upon that and use those experiences.

epictetus2009

any other suggestions for applications to?

taztastic

I would suggest looking at charity groups like Barnardo's or Enable Ireland. They would do work on a counselling basis (Barnardo's) as well as specific services for people with intellectual disability and physical disability. Even if you start as volunteer you can use it to work toward a paid position.

If you are working toward a specific course like most of us tend to, it might well be worth contacting the courses directly and ask the admin staff if they could give you suggestions on what experience previous applicants had. You can but ask and they might be able to give you an idea that you hadn't thought of before.

tolteq

Samaritans, I did 6 months there. put me off counselling.