“As a third-year Applied Psychology student, I joined the pilot mentorship programme to gain insight from someone who had pursued a career path closely aligned with my own aspirations. From our initial call, I experienced the mentorship as welcoming, encouraging, and truly informative. My mentor was always there to answer any questions or queries I had throughout the programme

My mentor had completed a Master’s in Applied Clinical Neuropsychology, which is of interest to me. Hearing about the modules, supervised placement, and their work with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland gave me a clearer picture of what this career path really looks like, challenging yet equally meaningful and rewarding. One of the most impactful takeaways from my mentorship was the importance placed on gaining meaningful experience during my undergraduate studies. This is not emphasised enough at undergraduate level, yet it is repeatedly highlighted by postgraduates as a crucial stepping stone towards competitive roles such as an Assistant Psychologist.

Encouraged by this advice, I applied for two volunteering roles and received support with interview preparation from my mentor. We discussed how to draw on my experiences, such as being a support worker and connecting them with the theory I’ve learned during my studies, particularly in applying for the roles I plan to volunteer with.

This mentorship gave me clarity, confidence, and motivation at an important stage in my studies. It made my future goals feel more achievable and highlighted just how valuable guidance from those who have gone before you can be.”