A Non-Traditional Journey into Psychology
From architecture to building sites, door supervisor to dog groomer and now on to Psychology. It’s fair to say that PhD student Pearse McCusker has taken the scenic route to get to where he is now. But he has no regrets.
A New Purpose
"Returning to university as a mature student has had a profoundly positive impact on my career. Unlike my first experience at university, where I entered straight after A-levels, I brought a wealth of real-world experience this time. Having seen first-hand how challenging career progression can be without academic qualifications, I returned to university in 2019 with a renewed sense of purpose."
From Self-Doubt to Scholarship
Enrolling as a Psychology undergraduate, Pearse had a touch of self-doubt when it came to starting at the beginning all over again.
‘When I enrolled in undergraduate psychology, I was initially apprehensive, questioning whether I could succeed after such a long academic gap.’
However, after receiving great results in his first semester, it was all go for Pearse from then on.
‘That moment of reassurance fuelled my determination for the remainder of my undergraduate degree, and I haven’t looked back since. Going back to university was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.’
Fast-forward to the final year of his degree, and with a keen interest in furthering his studies, Pearse was told about an exciting PhD scholarship opportunity.
‘I first learned about the NINE DTP (Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership) scholarship in November of my final undergraduate year. Professor Mark Shevlin, who taught me statistics, introduced me to the opportunity and encouraged me to write a research proposal.’
Having already applied for various other postgraduate opportunities including, Ulster University’s open PhD competition and various other Masters programmes, Pearse was also keen to apply for the NINE DTP. All with the hopes of putting him in a great position to begin his postgraduate studies.
‘I was intrigued by the NINE DTP despite the highly competitive nature of the application process. I worked closely with Mark from December through January to refine my research proposal. ‘
Despite being up against numerous applications from seven universities across the UK, Pearse became a welldeserved recipient of a NINE DTP scholarship in March 2024. The reality of winning such an incredible opportunity is understandably yet to sink in for this dedicated PhD student.
With the support and backing of a NINE DTP scholarship and his supervisor, Professor Mark Shevlin, Pearse has been able to jump feet first into his PhD, availing himself of all the research opportunities he can.
‘Compared to standard PhD funding, the NINE DTP provides additional financial support, allowing me to focus fully on my research without financial concerns. One major benefit is the encouragement and funding for travel. My supervisor, Professor Mark Shevlin, has already identified opportunities for me to collaborate with a trauma centre in Aarhus, Denmark, which aligns closely with the clinical aspects of my research.’
Pearse is now six months into his four-anda-half-year PhD and has no doubt about NINE DTP’s impact on his experience so far.
With plans to become a lecturer and to continue his research, the NINE DTP scholarship has enabled Pearse to take full advantage of many opportunities.
As the NINE DTP is an annual scholarship scheme, Pearse had some words of wisdom for any future students applying.
Advice for Future Applicants
"My biggest piece of advice is to manage your time effectively. If you're still completing your undergraduate degree while applying, be prepared for a demanding process. I recommend being proactive, seeking guidance from faculty members, and preparing well in advance. A well-structured, compelling proposal is key to standing out in such a competitive field. This journey has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, and I hope my experiences inspire others to take bold steps in their own academic and career paths"
