Towards the end of the training journey, I had my final hurdle to overcome - securing employment. My preference was to always stay with Surrey and Borders NHS Trust as a Qualified PWP. However, I knew that it would be wise to have a backup, just incase I wasn't successful at Surrey as they only had 6 roles available, and there's 8 of us trainees!
I applied to 5-10 NHS trusts for qualified PWP roles and the competition was high! Every time I would get a 'Your application was unsuccessful' email, I would resort to Costa, spending the next hour or two perfecting my supporting statement. Trust me, it was not easy.
Within a week, I was invited for interviews at three trusts. The interview process in itself was a nightmare, evoking a sense of dread and unexplainable anxiety in the morning of the interviews. I was unsuccessful at two trusts, and was given a role at one. Having a backup definitely helped boost my confidence and I started to feel more prepared for my interview at Surrey.
Finally, on a Thursday afternoon I had my interview for the qualified PWP role at Surrey. I was REALLY REALLY nervous, experiencing all the symptoms of GAD (iykyk). Ugh, I just had to get through this final interview. The interview in itself was okay (by this point I had prepared so much), but the waiting was hard.
On Friday morning, I heard back from one of my seniors, inviting me for a Teams call (feeling slightly queasy). A few minutes into the Teams call, I was told that I had interviewed really well and was offered the job!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!! I was so thrilled. I had made it to the finish line, just as my clinical supervisor had told me I would all those months ago.
The thing is, it did all work out in the end, I just had to trust the process. I passed the viva and the audio in my second attempt, interviewed well, and have secured employment with my current trust as a qualified PWP.
I think more than anything, my training year has taught me the importance of practising gratitude. Indeed, securing a training contract is not easy - it requires a lot of hard work and determination, and being able to get through it is a task in itself!
Anyways, I am glad that I persevered and despite the challenges, I have thoroughly enjoyed my training and have made the most out of it. Like I mentioned in my previous blog, I have been able to meet a variety of people, including colleagues and other trainees, and without them I wouldn't have got this far.
It is important that I take the good and bad from this journey, reflect, and move forwards as a resilient practitioner. My psychology journey has come to an end (for now). So many people have been part of my journey, and if you're reading this, you know who you are. Thankyou for being with me through it all!
I'm super excited to properly enter the world of work now, and all the highs and lows that come with that. Moreover, it will be refreshing to take a break from assignments, uni work, training, interview prep, and writing 50+ drafts of my personal statement!
I can finally breaatheee 🫶🏻