Starting something new is always daunting. There is always a level of apprehension (not to mention procrastination) that is involved. And starting this online blog, as my cousin Jerry can testify, is no different.
However, having travelled on the rough roads that is a new graduate, specifically a new graduate with a psychology degree, in this modern world afflicted by economical and financial issues I’d like to impart some wisdom and shine some light on what it has been like and what others can expect for themselves.
A little about myself.
I am 24years old, studied 18years in Australia, 6 years of which at a higher education level… and I’m still jobless. Don’t laugh, its actually a very common occurrence since the world has essentially gone into recession. It’s not a pretty sight at all.
My educational background consists of completing my TEE exams here in Perth, Australia. Back then I was interested in pursuing medicine which meant I had to have a minimum score (TER), pass a UMAT test and attend an interview. I didnt get in. I tried twice. But my UMAT scores were never good enough. I actually think the UMAT is a really good idea. It separates the people who are academically smart but with no common sense/empathy with those that do. I think in previous generations, some medical practitioners were quite heavy handed and did not have the empathy and personality to form a good rapport with their patients. The UMAT is an aptitude test and is designed to “assess general attributes and abilities gained through prior experience and learning; specifically, the acquisition of skills in critical thinking and problem solving, understanding people and abstract non-verbal reasoning. “. So it’s not all about brains now is it?
Anyways, I digress. I knew I wanted to be in the health industry. Just not quite sure exactly as what! So I ended up going into a Bachelor of Science degree studying the usual advanced physics, chemistry, human anatomy, physiology and such…. except I failed advanced physics in my first year! But to pass 1st year of uni I had to take another 1st year unit to make up for it. A couple of my friends were doing psychology units and I thought it would be fun to join them and have a bit of company in lectures/tutes. But I kept with it because I really loved it! So I guess I fell into psychology because I failed physics!
Four years later, I completed a triple major (Psychology, psychological health and human anatomy & biology) at University of Western Australia. Prestigious I know but it’s not all that its cracked up to be..UWA that is. After this, I took a bit of a breather and lived in New York for 6months working with a research team in Mount Sinai Hospital. In mid 2007 I decided to finish off psychology by completing the fourth/honors year which I did at Murdoch. And here I am now!
Something to note when thinking about pursuing psychology in Australia. You will need to start off with either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology. However, a single major in psychology will not be acceptable for entry into further psychology studies. At this bachelor level stage a double major is required. A single major will only get you as far as a job in HR, medical administration and such. With a double major -
Omg. this is such a drone. I thought that starting this would be so easy. I just write what I think and I KNOW I want to alert people to what theyre in for when they choose psychology. But I seem to have forgotten how much I can digress and go on and on and on Haha.
Anyways, maybe I’ll leave it as it is for now and go on a bit later =).
xxo