Katie Monnickendam
Current Employer/Organisation Name
NHS
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I graduated and used my degree to work as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (I had a placement for this during my degree). After 2 years, I moved jobs and became an Assistant Psychologist, and have recently been fortunate enough to secure a place on a training course for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (to become a qualified psychologist).
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the variety – every day is completely different and all of the jobs I’ve had have been in really different areas – working with different people, in different parts of the NHS.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of a number of sports societies, including Netball, Korfball and Welshsoc. I also played intramural netball with Psy Soc.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I loved that my course offered the opportunity to do a clinical placement for 2 days a week during my third year. Whilst this was challenging to manage alongside my studies, it gave me a really good opportunity which helped me when I graduated to get a job in the psychology field.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I loved the atmosphere when I came to visit – it felt so welcoming and I really liked that it was a campus university.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
My clinical placement was an invaluable experience. I was able to work in an NHS service providing psychological therapies, which gave me so many useful skills.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Keep going! It’s a long road but try and get some experience in different areas of psychology (e.g.: different populations – adult, child), whether that be paid or voluntary, and that will stand you in good stead.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m about to start my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and after 3 years will qualify as a clinical psychologist.
