Work experience alongside researchers may be just as important to a postgraduate selector as your degree.
The following are opportunities of relevant work experience; some include jobs in the local area:
- Any role that allows you to enhance your interpersonal and communication skills with diverse people will be of particular benefit because it will further your understanding of how people act in a variety of different contexts. Good organisational skills is also key, this is needed for tasks such as conducting studies and running the labs.
- The University of Southampton runs a programme for a Voluntary Research Assistant (VRA). This is unpaid and usually runs over the summer and a few hours a week during term time. It is a great opportunity to increase your chances of achieving a place on a postgraduate course. In addition, the researchers could write a letter of reference for you.
- The British Psychological Society offers a Summer Research Assistantship for undergraduates before the start of their final year. The research project typically lasts around 6-8 weeks and it provides the students with a stipend of £200 per week. Up to 10 places are available each year.