An introductory note

Welcome to my blog. My name is Nadine Everson and I am completing the Communication in the Sciences paper, and subsequently this blog, as a requirement for my BSc majoring in Psychology.  Through my blog I hope to share my personal experiences, opinions and understanding of issues in science and to also use this blog as a great way of engaging and communicating with my fellow students. 

After completing my BSc I plan to carry onto postgraduate study in both Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology and to eventually become a fully qualified Clinical Psychologist.  Throughout my working life I have always been drawn to jobs that involve engaging with others and helping them therefore, the field of Psychology is a great fit for me.  I believe that the study of the human mind and it’s function, with particular reference to how it affects behavior is a fascinating subject that can be used to help people in many different contexts. 

Completing a science related degree makes perfect sense to me, as Psychology is the scientific investigation of our minds.  For previous Psychology papers I have had to learn to name and functions of different areas of the brain, explain the process of how neurotransmitters and made and distributed throughout the brain and read an amazing amount of scientific papers.  Not to mention conducting my own scientific investigations including writing hypotheses, planning and executing experiments, and detailing those investigations in subjective research reports.  I believe that by incorporating science papers into my degree I will end up with not only a strong qualification but also with the skills necessary to ensure I am a capable successful practitioner in my chosen field.

As mentioned in our lectures for this week communication is a desired skill by future employers which is not a fact I would think that most students consider when planning their degrees. I feel communication is integral to my chosen career and in the journey I will have to undergo to get into Clinical Psychology.  I consider it high on my list of priorities to learn the skills to enable effective communication skills both written and verbal.  My main goal for this course is to sharpen up my writing skills and to gain confidence in what skills I have.  I often find I second-guess what I have written and that can lengthen the writing process considerable.  My editing process mainly centres around "can I restate this better" rather than "what point am I making and does it fit with my writing intention".  

It isn't all bad though!!!  I am a strong brainstormer and I love to research and also organise.  I am the type of student that reads the admin guide back to front, organises and continually revises study plans and ensures I understand instructions before beginning assignments.  My current job includes organising and running meetings, assigning roles and teaching others how to establish new protocols surrounding our client's behaviour plans so I think I will be a strong team player.