Psychology based work experience in Ireland

biohaiid

As part of my psych undergrad I have to go on a 6 month placement next January, which I am chosing to organise myself.
Are there any psychology based placements that would be available in Ireland?
I know it is really hard to secure such a thing, due to confidentiality and ethics and what not, but any ideas would be much appreciated.

Lunafizzle

Hi biohaiid

You could speak with past students of your course and gauge where they went?
Or you could go to the uni careers guidance service and discuss your options?
Or ask your lecturers perhaps?

I personally haven't come across many "psychology based placements" in Ireland bar assistant psych positions but they're typically in excess of 6 months and require a completed degree and postgraduate qualifications.

Best of luck

biohaiid

Lunafizzle wrote: »

Hi biohaiid

You could speak with past students of your course and gauge where they went?
Or you could go to the uni careers guidance service and discuss your options?
Or ask your lecturers perhaps?

I personally haven't come across many "psychology based placements" in Ireland bar assistant psych positions but they're typically in excess of 6 months and require a completed degree and postgraduate qualifications.

Best of luck

Hi,
I've taken your advice and asked a few past students, just waiting to hear back.
Unfortunately the Uni are fairly useless at providing info. on this sorta thing.
I know what you mean about the psychology placements. I think I may just email a few organisations anyway, even if they require a completed degree. You never know, when I explain it's part of my coursework they may have a place for me, obviously not treating patients or anything, but any kind of work would be great.
Thanks for the advice!

The Black Oil

By placement do you mean something you're supervised or assessed on, and that has to involve (ideally), a particular clinical population? Is that what they want you to get out of it?

I can't give much advice other than what Lunafizzle has said above, keep your ear to the ground. It is a tricky area because organisations can often require a minimum time commitment such as a year and then have a long lead in period from formal training onwards.

Might be no harm to look here, too. http://www.activelink.ie And keep an eye on the Twitter pages of voluntary orgs if you're interested in that sector.

Do you've a particular area you're interested in? You could perhaps contact the relevant division or SIG of the PSI and see if they might have any ideas, though they may get a lot of requests like that.

biohaiid

The Black Oil wrote: »

By placement do you mean something you're supervised or assessed on, and that has to involve (ideally), a particular clinical population? Is that what they want you to get out of it?

I can't give much advice other than what Lunafizzle has said above, keep your ear to the ground. It is a tricky area because organisations can often require a minimum time commitment such as a year and then have a long lead in period from formal training onwards.

Might be no harm to look here, too. http://www.activelink.ie And keep an eye on the Twitter pages of voluntary orgs if you're interested in that sector.

Do you've a particular area you're interested in? You could perhaps contact the relevant division or SIG of the PSI and see if they might have any ideas, though they may get a lot of requests like that.

It's a cooperative education placement that is mandatory for my course and I receive academic credit from. It will be assessed and I presume supervised, but not in a 'clinical' setting, I'd imagine.

I know a lot of past students teach English abroad or volunteer with chairties, but I was looking for something a little more specific to psychology, although I know that is extremely hard to secure nowadays.

I've been looking at that website over the last few days. Thanks for the advice.

Lyra Fangs

You could ask the college you're attending if they're taking on any research assistants. Although I went abroad for my placement several of my friends stayed in Ireland and worked as assistants to various lecturers in the psychology department. They got a small once off fee at the start and from then it was voluntary. However, they all said it was a great experience to see what the lecturers do outside the classroom and they all learned a lot of valuable skills. Moreover they got to know a couple of lecturers (who later gave them glowing references when needed) and they got a lot more involved with the department.

biohaiid

Lyra Fangs wrote: »

You could ask the college you're attending if they're taking on any research assistants. Although I went abroad for my placement several of my friends stayed in Ireland and worked as assistants to various lecturers in the psychology department. They got a small once off fee at the start and from then it was voluntary. However, they all said it was a great experience to see what the lecturers do outside the classroom and they all learned a lot of valuable skills. Moreover they got to know a couple of lecturers (who later gave them glowing references when needed) and they got a lot more involved with the department.

Yes, you can do your placement as a research assistant within the department.
I've considered it, but think I would prefer something much more healthcare related.
Seeing as that's so hard to secure though, I may opt for the research option.