"I’m passionate about sports, so I originally thought about becoming a Physio. But I’ve also always been interested in human values, behaviours, and thought processes. So, when I started to consider what I should study in college I found myself more drawn towards Psychology.

My parents are also both primary school teachers. Seeing the positive impact that they’ve had on children’s wellbeing has always been inspiring to me. That influence directed me to educational psychology.

I have a lot of friends from different backgrounds, social circles, and hobbies like skateboarding, surfing, and running. After my Undergrad, I worked in homeless residential services for a little while. I find people fascinating and I want to make a positive impact in their lives."

"Hazel Pidgeon, Head of Psychology at Enable Ireland’s Cork services, came to UCC to speak to everyone on my course. Previously I hadn’t considered working with children with disabilities. But hearing from Hazel about how psychology can make a difference in their lives piqued my interest.  You need a broad set of skills and there are many ways you can make a difference through psychology. I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to broaden my experience and skills while supporting others."

"Enable Ireland is a very open environment. The team is receptive to ideas and there are lots of opportunities to contribute. I’ve gained a huge appreciation for the work everyone does. It’s opened my eyes to how different everyone’s circumstances are and the different challenges people with disabilities face. There is a lot of work, and I was integrated into the team very quickly. I’ve just started working on a group intervention and emotional regulation with 10-year-old autistic children.

I love the interpersonal element in this role and that no two days are the same. It’s very rewarding working with children and their families to find their strengths. We work with each family individually and identify what works best to help overcome challenges.

I’m also excited to be working practically on assessments, observations in different environments (like home, school, and the Lavanagh Centre) and report writing. That’s something I’d not done until this year."

"I am considering applying for an Educational Psychology Doctorate. In the meantime, I’d like to continue working as an Assistant Psychologist. It’s a great role in which I can gain more experience and build my competencies."