Hannah Trotter

"I decided that the University of Sunderland was for me after finishing my A Levels. I didn't feel like I'd reached my full potential in education and was eager to expand my knowledge within academia. After my undergraduate degree in BSc (Hons) Psychology, I wasn't sure if studying for a master's was for me, so I applied for numerous jobs and shadowing experiences within the NHS, to no avail. However, I built up a fantastic relationship with a few of the lecturers whilst at University and they reached out to me to ask if I'd consider applying for the MSc Psychological Research Methods course. After some persuasion, I was determined to tackle my weaknesses head on to improve my skills in this area. I gained so much confidence whilst gaining so many other skills in modules throughout the year.

The highlight for me in my MSc was the research module as I was able to research environmental psychology and how place preference, restoration, pro-environmental attitudes, and behaviours all contribute to an individual’s sense of place and attachment. I was involved in conducting the study and recruiting participants from the University to gather data. This experience was invaluable, as I gained so many skills and knowledge throughout the process. The time and effort spent on this study resulted in the findings being published with my name on the paper as co-author. The study was so extensive that a second study was designed and is in the process of being published too. I'm extremely proud of this achievement, and it shows that hard work and collaboration really does pay off.

For those who are looking to come to university, I'd say that going to open days, speaking to the lecturers, and getting a feel for the right course is a must. First impressions are important. I was welcomed into the psychology department, put at ease, and felt comfortable around the students and staff almost straight away. Everyone was so friendly and I built up a such a great rapport with the lecturers and staff that I decided to come back to study my master's the following year. The thought of a university education can be daunting, but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the only way to advance.

Since university, I signed up to an agency called Protocol Education as a teaching assistant, where I worked in primary and secondary special educational needs (SEN) schools, helping children with behavioural issues, mental health, and learning and physical disabilities. I then managed to successfully get a position with Northumbria Police as a data analyst and research assistant in the public insight team within corporate development. My role was so valuable as I was able to upskill in Excel by preparing the data for the victim satisfaction surveys for a variety of crime types and public perception surveys to better understand their feelings about crime and policing.

I was in this role for two and a half years and was then successfully promoted to performance review adviser. In this role, I produce reports for different aspects of safeguarding, harm reduction, and prevention and deterrence. This was as a direct result of designing and running my own projects at university for both of my dissertations. Collating and critically analysing information has been invaluable to my current job role. The group tasks and teamwork ethic I gained whilst at university have helped mould me into a great team player, who's flexible, supportive, and reliable. I'm also able to prioritise key areas of focus whilst under pressure to complete monthly tasks.

I think my experience at Sunderland has made me who I am today. The supportive friends gained along the way made the whole university experience even more special. I'd also like to thank all the lecturers for their continued support, encouragement, and seeing my potential even, when I didn’t always see it myself. You really made the difference."