#50 – Early Career Psychologist Series, Chapter 3 – Ceara Rickard

This episode is the third of a series of five chapters with early career psychologists. They’re either completing their training, or are in their early years of working, and come from all different backgrounds with vastly different life experiences. Each interviewee reminds me of the sheer determination and hard work it takes to become a psychologist, something we should pat ourselves on the back for achieving, regularly! In this episode I chat to Ceara Rickard, 31 year old resident of Hobart, Tasmania.  Ceara completed her honours in psychology in 2006, and has worked in psychology-related roles for 10 years. She is currently halfway through her 4+2 training, and previously completed  a Grad Dip of Counselling for Health and Social Care from University of New England.   Ceara is currently working in a youth mental health NGO. Ceara described where she grew up as a pretty rough area of rural QLD. She is from a *huge* family and says her background had a big influence on how she sees psychology, recovery, social justice, and her work with vulnerable members of the community. Ceara was keen to do this interview as she sees many new students and graduates who feel anxious and distressed if they don’t follow a linear pathway to their career and hopes sharing her story may provide a different perspective! Check out the website to comment on Ceara's episode.