Rianna Patterson
BSc Psychology, 2020
I managed to secure a sales and marketing internship with ReapSource, through the Employability Points Scheme at Kent. Since then, I have worked as a Community Manager for leading organizations such as One Young Leader, a global forum for young people.
I have also worked as an Employability Support Advisor for Social Enterprise Kent, supporting and empowering older people who want to get back into work and have explored other career interests by directing a documentary film on dementia in the Caribbean.
As a master's student, I spend most of my days completing assignments and as the semester is winding down, I have regular meetings with my master's supervisors. As part of my final year project, I am in the process of drafting and finalizing my methods section and acquiring research material to analyse.
I am also doing a bit of freelance work for the Commonwealth Ageing Association, so I make sure to factor in time during the month to do some research work for them. This includes sending out surveys to grassroots organizations across Commonwealth countries.
I consider my role as the Research Lead for CommonAge to be a significant achievement as I have been given the privilege of contributing to a global report on dementia. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support CommonAge in shaping policy through this piece of work and I know that it will make a difference in the lives of those with dementia and their families.
The employability points scheme really motivated me to pursue activities that have helped my career and personal development. As part of this, I took on leadership roles such as being a Student Representative for the School of Psychology and also served as the Social Media Officer for Kent Caribbean Union. Additionally, I acted as the Welfare Officer for student accommodation on campus in Parkwood, where I was able to promote the safety and well-being of students on campus.
I also gained valuable work experience at the IONA assessment centre on campus. Through these experiences I gained transferable skills such as leadership, communication, problem solving and teamwork.
I would advise current students to be purposeful about your career goals and aspirations. Now is an opportune time to gain new skills and experiences that can help advance your career, especially since you have more free time compared to the average working person.
While it is important to take time to rest and recharge during the summer holidays, it is also wise to use this time to acquire new skills and experiences, perhaps through a summer job or internship.
Following your passion is also key. When you align your values and goals with your work, you will naturally enjoy what you do and achieve great things in your field. It is also helpful to find a mentor who can guide you and provide valuable feedback on your ideas.
I feel grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my family whom I wouldn't have seen as much if I wasn't studying at Kent. Apart from that, I really enjoyed learning about various psychology theories and being able to participate in interesting research studies. It showed me how research is conducted on a practical level. I also enjoyed the module that related to dementia.
I feel that if I had been more intentional in my approach, I could have pursued some core opportunities that were more aligned with my goals. While I did try out different opportunities, I think it would have helped if I had clearer vision during that time. Additionally, I would explore the possibility of doing a master's degree and traveling to other countries earlier.
We do have a group chat, but we don't talk to each other as much as we used to, mainly because everyone has moved back home. However, I'm still in touch with my BSc supervisors and a few academics in the School of Psychology
I have the intention of pursuing a PhD in dementia upon completion of my master's degree. With a plethora of questions I wish to address, obtaining a PhD would be an appropriate progression from my master's thesis.