What is the role of a psychologist today? And what are their main areas of expertise? To find the answer to these questions, more than 20 high school students came to the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP) to take part in the summer programme "3...2...1 Psychology in Action", developed as part of the Católica Porto Teen Academy.
From 2 to 5 July, 24 high school students took part in a programme full of activities that allowed them to discover the different areas in which psychologists work.
Accompanied by faculty and psychology students belonging to the FEP-UCP Student Association, the participants visited the campus of the Regional Centre of Porto, the University Psychology Clinic, classrooms and many other places.
During the summer course they explored topics such as "Clinical Practice in Psychology" and "Psychology and Emotions", got to know the community intervention project "Heroic Imagination Project", took part in a surf therapy class as part of the project "Waves in you: Surf Therapy with Migrant and Refugee Children”, and carried out a socio-emotional skills development activity in Psychology. There was also time to take part in a game that demonstrated how psychology is at the service of sports performance.
Getting to know the work of psychologists in different contexts
Alexandra Carneiro, coordinator of the Degree in Psychology and the Teen Academy at the FEP-UCP, says: "It is always with great enthusiasm that we welcome high school students to this summer programme. The activities we have planned have aimed to show the variety of contexts in which a psychologist can work. Above all, we hope to have helped the students in their future career choices".
The Católica Porto Teen Academy is a contact initiative with the University, with the aim of giving young people the opportunity to get to know the academic environment and the world of work at first hand, providing them with knowledge and information to help them make an informed decision, as important as choosing a course, college or university.
