Nikita takes on role to represent psychology students across the UK
Teesside University student Nikita Shepherdson has been chosen to represent fellow psychology students across the UK.
Nikita has been selected to take on the role of chair elect of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Student Committee. BPS is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK and the accrediting body for psychology courses.
Nikita, 24, from Stockton, is a second year BSc (Hons) Psychology with Clinical Psychology student in the University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law.
She said: 'As part of the role I will be involved in education and training board meetings and BPS standing conference committee meetings to represent students and shape education policies accordingly. The chair organises and oversees the committee's yearly outline of events and plans.
'The role will also involve liaising with local stakeholders, such as BPS branches and other psychology societies. It will also involve promoting international links with psychology students and associations worldwide.'
Nikita will take on the role of chair elect for one year and during that time she will shadow the chair's actions, meetings, discussions and teleconferences, attend any meetings which the Chair is unable to attend and offer support with administration tasks.
She added: 'I will take over the role of the chair closer to the end of the academic year, with the current chair still available for questions or supervision. Next year I will also be responsible for introducing the new chair elect to their future responsibilities and selection of the 2021 student committee.’
Nikita applied for the role after seeing the post advertised on the BPS website. She said: 'Trying to squeeze a whole lot of passion on to a couple of pages in my application was quite a challenge. I knew that applying for the role would be a great opportunity, and there was nothing to lose.
Before applying to Teesside University, I remember having a telephone conversation with the course leader which left me absolutely certain this was the correct course and university for me
'I focused on enhancing the student experience beyond the lecture theatre, the value of the student voice as the future of psychology and widening participation.
Nikita added: 'I’m beyond honoured to be given the chance to drive forward with the voices of the UK psychology student body and make an impact to a student experience bigger than simply my own.'
Once she completes her degree Nikita hopes to take on an assistant psychologist or research assistant role, while developing her skills as she progresses towards her aim of reaching doctorate study level on clinical psychology.
She said: 'As a mature student, I intensely wanted to progress as quickly as possible. Finding your way onto a psychology doctorate course is generally a lengthy process. Luckily, my lecturers advised me to slow down and see the career path as a journey, not a race.'
Nikita decided to start the degree at Teesside University after originally pursuing a path towards performing arts. She said: 'I attended drama school in London when I was 18. Aside from the experience solidifying that I really didn’t want a career in performing arts, I also realised that there really is ‘no place like home’.
'Before applying to Teesside University, I remember having a telephone conversation with the course leader which left me absolutely certain this was the correct course and university for me.
'The course content is geared towards clinical psychology, which is quite rare at undergraduate level, and I left the phone call feeling inspired, interested and passionate.'
