Social sciences employability conference

Psychology employability conference

This week saw the return of Solent’s annual Psychology Employability Conference. Current undergraduate and postgraduate students, from social science courses, had the chance to explore different career paths.

The event kicked off with a stellar cast of guest speakers including several alumni students from such varied fields as teaching, sport and psychology, as well as a keynote speech from Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Heather Simons. The alumni fielded a variety of questions from the audience including some great careers advice, and Heather gave a no nonsense look at what it’s actually like to work daily in the NHS.

Over 80 students filled out The Palmerston Lecture theatre, while several students displayed their recent research projects outside including posters about gender identity and academic’s political experiences.

The projects were assessed by event organiser, research fellow and senior lecturer Dr Greg Neil, MREs course leader Dr Karen Burnell, and lecturers Dr Gareth Abbey and Dr Shakiba Moghadam.

Afterwards, Poppy Kavanagh, alumni, BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling, 2020 and now Education and Research Support Officer at Solent reflected on the advice she offered to attendees.

“Just try things. A career you initially pursue may not pan out and that’s okay. It’s worth trying different jobs to find out what it is you are interested in and how that will change your ambitions. It’s okay to not know where you want to go when you finish university. Psychology has such broad opportunities once you graduate”.

In the afternoon, students gained a new understanding of local work opportunities from organisations like HM Prison and Probation Service, Teach First, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Leo Wax, Early Talent Officer at Teach First, an organisation that aims to end educational inequality in the UK and places trainees in schools that face a high level of disadvantage, was hoping to speak to as many psychology students as possible as they can now apply for the organisation’s two year, fully funded programme.

“I think Psychology students could bring a lot to the classroom. Understanding the way minds work could only be a huge bonus in the classroom and could also provide that good support, pastorally”.

Another exhibitor, Rob Brown, HR Adviser at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, was impressed with how engaged the students were.

“Conversations with the students were really good, really insightful in regard to people’s opinions and understanding of us.”

Kat Ching, Training Manager for the Stop Domestic Abuse charity was keen for students to check out their part time, full time and volunteering roles. With vacancies in refuges, hospitals and schools, Kat touched upon the skills needed to succeed.

“Being able to manage sometime stressful conditions, being able to prioritise, good timekeeping, being able to communicate across all levels. You don’t have to have work experience in domestic abuse. You may well have transferable skills and experience from your own life, supporting friends or relatives through relationship problems. It’s those things you have picked up from your own life that can make you a very compassionate and understanding person”.

Reese Shoubridge, a second year BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology student, has plans to become a detective. The event proved very useful.

“I knew what area I was going to look into; the police. When I spoke to them, they were very useful and gave me lots of information.”

This event was a collaboration between the Psychology and Criminology departments at Solent, with support from Solent Futures, the University’s careers service.