For all returning placement students, ASET runs a yearly essay competition. Offering students the chance to write retrospectively about their placement experiences and help inform others about the benefits of undertaking a work placement.

The 2009 Essay Competition has been won by Lucy Armstrong from the University of Bath. Lucy is studying Psychology and undertook her placement in Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit, Macqaurie University, Sydney Australia.

Here is a short snippet of Lucy’s Essay:

“When asked to think of Australia, we immediately picture a golden beach, tanned surfers and the words “no worries mate”. Through Foster’s adverts alone we Brits have been conditioned to believe that Aussies are the most chilled out human beings, even when faced with a shark attack. So imagine my surprise, one day when flicking through the pages of placement options for Psychology, to not only find that anxiety exists in Australia, but also, that a perfect opportunity, working within an anxiety disorder clinic in Sydney’s Macquarie University, was available.

As an individual studying a course that doesn’t lead directly into a career (i.e. becoming a psychologist as such, involves more than just three years of learning), I have always explained to others, that I was driven by the content of the course, not the job options. After completing ‘A’ level Psychology, I realised that while I had thoroughly enjoyed the subject, it felt as though I had only brushed the surface. For the first time in school I wasn’t just doing a subject I had to do, I was doing something that inspired me, and made me want to turn the pages of the books I was reading. Choosing the University of Bath to study Psychology was based partly on the university’s reputation for academic excellence, and the prospect of an eight-month work placement ‘down under’ – a place I had dreamed of going ever since I discovered I was one quarter Aussie (however that was calculated).”

To download or view this full essay in PDF format, please click here.

The Judges of the competition also gave special commendation to Christopher Pagett from Liverpool John Moores University who will receive a runner up prize of £150. Christopher worked at Cheshire Police Headquarters in the Forensic Footwear Unit.

To download or view Christopher’s full essay in PDF format, please click here .