Sharing Experiences and Inspiring Futures - Alumna Advice on University and Beyond

We were delighted to welcome back alumna, Cristina Harrison-Peña last term, to speak with our current students about her university experience, work placements and her evolving career. Having left St Mary’s five years ago, Cristina went on to graduate with a First in Psychology from Loughborough University and was awarded the British Psychological Society Undergraduate Award. 

Cristina began by sharing advice on choosing the right Psychology degree. Her first recommendation was to look for courses accredited by the Psychological Society (BPS) before considering how flexible the course is, how it is taught and assessed. If coursework, presentations and group work appeal to you more than exams, then these are worth considering when choosing your university. What a university has to offer beyond the degree itself is also important. This may include sports clubs and societies, volunteering opportunities, facilities and student support services. 

 One of Cristina’s key messages was that students are choosing a degree, not necessarily their entire future, so there is no need to feel pressured to have everything mapped out. As Cristina described it:

“You don’t need to know your career plans to know what your interests are.“ 

Studying Psychology does not automatically mean pursuing a career directly in mental health, which itself encompasses a wide- range of topics, from memory, learning, decision making, attachment, child development, eating behaviours etc. Careers can also be found in Law, HR, Education, marketing, management, sports, the police, research, to name a few. A Psychology degree can open the door to a surprisingly diverse range of opportunities, with Cristina sharing examples of different roles psychology students often apply to for placements:

Cristina also shared examples of different companies and organisations psychology students can undertake these roles with:

 Like most Psychology degrees, research forms a significant part of the course and can provide valuable experience for those considering postgraduate study or a future career as a psychologist. Universities may also offer opportunities to gain additional research experience, such as paid research assistant roles supporting PhD students or experienced staff and lecturers. Cristina also highlighted the importance of making use of university careers services, which can provide drop-in and online support to help students explore opportunities and secure relevant work placements during their degree.

Cristina also spoke about the value of experience as well as meeting a lot of like-minded people. She took a gap year where she gained experience in an education setting, and during her degree, she undertook voluntary work with schools, mental health placements and crisis mental health helplines. During her placement year at university, she worked as a Family Support Worker with the UK charity LWA. She has since started working as a Young Person’s Domestic Abuse Advisor and Advocate, while working towards her IDVA qualification. The role involves supporting young people experiencing high-risk domestic abuse, providing emotional and practical support around safety planning, healthy relationships and self-esteem, as well as offering advocacy and support through police and court processes.

 Cristina is committed to helping others and making a positive difference in the field of mental health. This was clear as she brought her talk to an end by summarising, in just six words, how to best offer support, through Safety, Choice, Collaboration, Trustworthiness, Empowerment and Diversity. 

It was striking to see how Cristina’s professional values so closely align with St Mary’s school values of Truth, Joy, Love, Justice and Freedom.

'Inspire my Future' talks are held regularly in our Sixth Form, to give Senior School and Sixth Form students the opportunity to hear from alumnae and industry specialists about university option, careers experiences and the many pathways available as they consider their own futures.

November 2026