BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology BA & Applied Forensic Psychology Masters.
Graduated:
Counselling Psychology - 2023
Applied forensic psychology - 2024
I studied at BNU between 2020 and 2024, and continue to study with BNU for my PhD now, and I currently work as a self-employed Psychotherapist with my own practice in Chesham called 'Buckinghamshire Therapy'
What are your memories of being a student at BNU?
I remember when I first started out at uni in 2020, during COVID, we had to do a lot of our work online, there was no meet up face to face for freshers week and when we were in the lectures we were all spaced out with our masks on, I didn't know what the other students fully looked like until much later and our mask were allowed to come off
What advice could you give to recent graduates who want to get ahead?
Ask yourself what you want to pursue as a career and start at the bottom, anything that just gets you in, over time you can build up to the exact position you want, also don't be afraid to be self employed with it, alot of people just assume you need to graduate and work for a company, they don't even realize that you can forget your own path, that's a good thing to know if you find yourself getting continually rejected from job interview to job interview.
Don't give up pursuing your passion, be flexible and adaptable and patient, know that you will doubt yourself but don't give into those doubts, doubts have killed more dreams that failure ever will, try not to continually compare yourself to others as comparison is the thief of joy. Only compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not who someone else is today
How did your degree at BNU impact on your career?
It gave me the qualifications to be able to be a step closer to my career, but in addition there were different elements and little gems I picked up from my lectures that still stay with me to date that both help me personally and within my therapeutic practice
Why did you join the course?
I joined because over COVID I had some thinking time, my career was put on hold and I decided to pursue my passion in psychology, and COVID gave me the time to be able to do this.
What aspects of your studies did you enjoy the most and why?
I loved working on my dissertations at the end of the courses, it was a chance for me to pursue ideas that long interested me with the freedom of research, it was the first taste of what pursuing your own ideas and theories feels like, it makes you feel like a professional
Which parts of your student experience were the best preparation for your job?
I think it was my interpersonal experiences, things like finding the courage to use my voice when I wasn't sure about something, or to sit back and learn when I didn't know something, having that power to put my own feelings aside and learn from others in a debate etc, this is important for my job as a therapist, it humbles you, you learn to listen to others rather than just assume or try to sound smart
What are your major careers milestones since completing your studies?
Well, the fact that I have a career is pretty good, it's not the easiest thing to do especially when you are self-employed, I would say that a major career milestone for me is setting up 'Buckinghamshire Therapy', my own company to help others'
What are your future ambitions?
Once I have finished my PhD I plan to write it up as a book as the subject nature surrounding criminology I feel is something a lot of people will be interested in, I plan to expand out my therapeutic practice all across Buckinghamshire building that up, and also tour lectures for members of the public surrounding subject that I think everyone will find captivating, regarding relationships, love, interpersonal work and relationships etc., there is no limit to what I would like to do
What advice would you give to a student considering the course or looking to get into a career in your sector?
Do it because you are truly passionate about the subject, don't do it as an option to see where you'll go, do it because it is you 100% to the core, because it is the passion that will drive you to achieve the best you can and bring you to the next level, it's a lot of work at times and it can feel totally overwhelming but if your driven and passionate about it, it will feel less like work and more like an investment in yourself and your continued development of your knowledge.
Also know that if you don't achieve what you want academically that's absolutely fine, I came to uni at ages 27 and I started off with a U in psychology when I was in school and now I'm doing a PhD with my own company set up, pursue a passion, and know that the best things in life are the other side of fear.