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Quirky Kid welcomes professionals and interns from various walks of life including provisional psychologists, editors, graphic artists and teachers. During the course of their internships – from 3 to 6 months – a lot of learning takes places. In this new section, we ask our interns and colleagues to share their experiences with Quirky Kid; what they’ve learnt and how this experience will help them in the future. In this post, Peta Larkin shares her experience.
Why did I apply?
As a current psychology student, I applied to volunteer at The Quirky Kid Clinic to put to use my existing skills and knowledge and to gain some practical experience working with leading experts in the field of child psychology. I was excited for the opportunity to interact with others who shared my interests and to learn from their invaluable experience and knowledge.
What did I learn?
I was exposed to a variety of projects and tasks during my placement, which helped me develop new skills, get a taste of clinical practice, and to apply my knowledge. I was involved in everything from staff training for the BaseCamp program, to research and content writing for the Quirky Kid website, and even coordinating the social media accounts. In addition, I was involved in the process of developing and recruiting for the Best of Friends research study in conjunction with the University of Wollongong, which gave me some valuable insight into how a large-scale research project is run.
How will this help me in the future?
I believe the first-hand knowledge and experience I have gained in this setting has improved my confidence and has given me the skills needed to succeed in a clinical setting. As a psychology student, the experience will be invaluable in preparing me for future Masters study and work in this field. Most importantly, being exposed to the level of professionalism and expertise shown by all the staff here has really helped me develop professionally and personally.
My experience with Quirky Kid as a company
My experience at The Quirky Kid Clinic was very positive and rewarding. Working alongside like-minded individuals who share a passion for helping people and who are highly skilled in their profession was very inspiring. The Clinic is a warm and supportive environment that really caters to the needs of the clients and makes them feel safe and supported. Additionally, the way Quirky Kid resources are presented is creative and fun which is what has made them so successful and popular among kids and parents alike, both nationally and internationally.
Tips for future applicants
This is a diverse role where you are exposed to a variety of day-to-day tasks. The advantage of this is you get to try a lot of new things, but it makes it important to be flexible, self-motivated and to prioritise tasks effectively. I found this internship to be a very rewarding experience, and would highly recommend this opportunity to other aspiring psychologists.
