{"id":2095,"date":"2025-06-25T16:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T16:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/?p=2095"},"modified":"2025-06-27T14:44:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T14:44:49","slug":"a-year-of-growth-inside-my-psychology-placement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2025\/06\/25\/a-year-of-growth-inside-my-psychology-placement\/","title":{"rendered":"A Year of Growth: Inside My Psychology Placement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As part of her placement year, undergraduate student, Alex Medintu, recently took up the challenge of organizing an event to raise awareness for Autism Acceptance Month<\/a>. After the event, we had a chat with Alex to find out more about her placement with ACoRN Sussex<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I chose to do a placement as part of my degree to gain valuable hands-on experience that would support my future academic work, including my dissertation.<\/strong> I was particularly drawn to this placement and Autism research because I believe in recognizing and valuing neurodiversity as well as understanding the different ways people think, learn, and experience the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dr Sophie Anns with her student’s poster on sensory diversity at the ‘Shine a Light: Student Voices on Autism’ event <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

During my placement year, I\u2019ve been actively involved in projects, writing blogs, hosting reading groups, and more.<\/strong> A major opportunity was leading the organization of the Shine a Light: Student Voices on Autism event for Autism Acceptance Week. This has involved working with students and staff to create an engaging and meaningful experience. From securing speakers to managing logistics and being the comms-lead for, it\u2019s been an exciting opportunity to develop my skills. I have also completed two ethics forms, one for an amazing project with a Forest School, which has given me a better understanding of research processes and what to expect in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizing the Shine a Light on Autism event was both challenging and rewarding.<\/strong> It required a mix of creativity, strong communication, and teamwork skills. One of the most valuable lessons I\u2019ve learned is the value of collaboration and the importance of attention to detail. Another fulfilling aspect was seeing how the event brought people together, which made all the hard work worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating Autism Acceptance Week is important because it promotes not just awareness but genuine understanding.<\/strong> Throughout my placement, we listened to talks which have helped me learn how small changes, such as clearer communication, flexible environments, and greater awareness, can make a big difference in creating a more supportive atmosphere for neurodivergent individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Students present their research and take questions from attendees at the event<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve learned a great deal from my placement, especially about planning, collaboration, and the importance of attention to detail.<\/strong> The experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it has provided practical insights that will support my academic work and future career. I personally believe it has pushed me in many great ways; it has made me a little more confident in my social skills, it has allowed me to learn new skills and develop them further, and it has given me a new community here at university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After university, I want to pursue a career as a mental health practitioner.<\/strong> I\u2019m passionate about supporting people\u2019s well-being and helping individuals navigate challenges in a way that works for them. My placement experience has reinforced my interest in mental health advocacy, accessibility, and community support. I hope to work in a role where I can make a meaningful impact whether through direct support, awareness initiatives, or improving access to mental health resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Alex Medintu is studying the BSc Psychology (with a professional placement year) course<\/a> at the University of Sussex.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the Shine a Light: Student Voices on Autism Padlet<\/a> to see all of our students’ work from the event.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find out more about autism research at Sussex on the ACoRNS Sussex website<\/a> and Instagram page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As part of her placement year, undergraduate student, Alex Medintu, recently took up the challenge of organizing an event to raise awareness for Autism Acceptance Month. After the event, we had a chat with Alex to find out more about…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pafdEV-xN","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1925,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2023\/03\/30\/my-placement-with-acorns-and-an-ever-growing-interest-in-autism\/","url_meta":{"origin":2095,"position":0},"title":"My placement with ACoRNS and an ever-growing interest in autism","date":"March 30, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Anjali Das As part of World Autism Acceptance Week, Psychology graduate Anjali Das writes about her work placement with the ACoRNs team and the experiences that have influenced her future goals and passion for autism research. One year ago, when I finished my degree, I would have laughed in\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/files\/2023\/03\/Anjali-blog-pic.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1853,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2023\/02\/28\/why-my-placement-has-changed-my-life\/","url_meta":{"origin":2095,"position":1},"title":"Why my placement has changed my life","date":"February 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Kerry Moor We asked one of our current 2022-23 Psychology Professional placement students to tell us about their experience so far. Kerry is completing an internal research placement with the School of Psychology for the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness. A Professional Placement year is completed between your\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/files\/2023\/02\/Placement-blog-photo-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":152,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2016\/02\/22\/my-placement-at-west-sussex-eating-disorders-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":2095,"position":2},"title":"My Placement at West Sussex Eating Disorders Service","date":"February 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"By Amy Howes As soon as I saw that the School of Psychology was offering clinical placement years I knew that it was something I would be interested in. Despite having to hand in assignments most weeks during term two I managed to find the time to write a personal\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Eating disorders\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/files\/2016\/02\/IMG_9008-225x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":125,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2016\/02\/01\/my-placement-year-at-glaxosmithkline\/","url_meta":{"origin":2095,"position":3},"title":"My placement year at GlaxoSmithKline","date":"February 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"By Lauren Maddock \u00a0 I did not begin my degree with the intention to complete a Placement year but decided during my second year that it would be a great development opportunity whilst also trialling a career area I was interested in. I am a Psychology undergraduate and so felt\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Employability\"","img":{"alt_text":"GSK Building","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/files\/2016\/01\/GSK-HOUSE-300x155.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1257,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2021\/03\/30\/creating-a-society-that-works-for-autistic-people-the-acorns-health-webinar\/","url_meta":{"origin":2095,"position":4},"title":"Creating a society that works for autistic people: The ACoRNS Health webinar","date":"March 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"By Ethan Lam and Prof Nicola Yuill The Autism Community Research Network Sussex was launched last year as a collaboration between Psychology and Education researchers at the University of Sussex and local autism stakeholders involved in education, health and social care services. ACoRNS is a sister organisation to AcoRN Southampton\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Event"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2014,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/2024\/02\/07\/can-i-read-to-save-the-planet\/","url_meta":{"origin":2095,"position":5},"title":"Can I read to save the planet?","date":"February 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Aimee Cole Educational placement with the National Literacy Trust When I began my Psychology course at Sussex back in 2019, I wasn\u2019t at all sure where I wanted my degree to take me. My interests were broad, ranging from psychopathology to sports psychology. I also had a keen interest\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/files\/2024\/02\/Can-I-Read-to-save-the-planet.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2095"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/373"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2095"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2095\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2110,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2095\/revisions\/2110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2095"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}