After changing courses on two occasions, Claire McDonald from Kilkenny finally "found her home" at South East Technological University (SETU). Today, she has ambitions to complete a PhD, having graduated with both a BA (Hons) in Psychology and an MSc in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology.
Feeling welcome
Claire reflects on her academic journey from undergraduate to PhD, “after dropping out of two university courses, I felt lost,” she says. SETU felt different for Claire. “Being close to home and in a smaller university is what helped me to get through my third attempt at an undergrad degree. SETU felt welcoming and supportive. You get to know the lecturers and they are always approachable.”
"[The BA (Hons) in Psychology] introduced me to a broad range of areas of psychology, and is Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) recognised which helps towards getting accreditation as a sports psychologist later on.”
An interest sparked
Training for a marathon during the final year of her degree opened Claire’s eyes to sport's psychological side. “The applied nature of the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at SETU appealed to me as previous courses had been more theoretical. I wanted to specialise in an area of psychology, and after training for a marathon, I was fascinated by sports psychology.”
Claire describes the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology as “practical and comprehensive to suit students with a broad range of backgrounds and career goals. The lecturers are so experienced and knowledgeable - they were always there to help.“
"What you study in your undergrad doesn’t have to be forever, there are so many pathways once you have a degree. Get involved and grab opportunities with both hands!”
SETU MA Graduate and PhD Candidate, Claire McDonald
Opportunities and highlights
The graduate says enjoying the opportunities on offer throughout the course was key in gaining real-life team and athlete work experience, which culminated in conducting her research project with Triathlon Ireland. Meanwhile, Claire describes the highlight of her academic journey so far as the publication of her master’s research project, “I got to present this research at a sport psychology conference - mainly because of the encouragement I received at SETU.”
PhD beginnings
Continuing her studies, Claire began her PhD journey at SETU in January where she aims to research mental health on stud farms. “I’m looking forward to the next four years studying for my PhD at SETU. I hope to make the most of every opportunity available and continue a career in academia afterwards.”
Advice
When offering advice to students who are just beginning their third-level studies, Claire says, "what you study in your undergrad doesn’t have to be forever, there are so many pathways once you have a degree. Get involved and grab opportunities with both hands!”
