All our students can complete a placement as part of their degree. We spoke to Tamsin on her experience.
Why did you choose to study Psychology?
I chose this path because I’m fascinated by human nature and how our minds work and interact with each other. I also love being able to carry out research and have solid data to back up what we know about the brain and the way people think.
Where are you working for your placement year?
I’m the Research and Insights intern at The Walt Disney Company. My team is responsible for collecting data and sharing insights into audiences; their everyday lives, the way they interact with characters and franchises, and how consumers of different ages are drawn to varying forms of entertainment. We use research to dig deeper into how people think and share insights to the company to inform business decisions.
How did you find your placement?
I found the placement by myself, but the placements team at Roehampton has been so helpful since securing the internship and are always there to answer any of my questions!
What exciting projects are you currently working on?
I was responsible for carrying out a really interesting research project into the success of the Barbie movie, how it so cleverly used humour, big celebrity names and a massive marketing campaign to appeal to the young adult audience. I surveyed 1000 respondents to gauge their opinions on both Barbie and Disney to understand the huge reach of the movie and what made it such a success. This was so valuable to present back to stakeholders in the Disney company, to discuss how we can learn from the success of a competitor and apply it to our franchises.
How has your experience at Roehampton so far supported your career development?
My course has given me an amazing foundation of understanding research, so I went into the placement with a strong knowledge of different methods of research and how to apply them. It has now been so valuable for me to see how these methods can be used in a global company, giving perspective for why research is so important.
Reflecting on your time at Roehampton, what are some of your favourite memories?
I have loved learning about famous psychological experiments, particularly studies from many years ago which could not ethically be replicated now! Psychology has seen so many fascinating and some quite horrible discoveries about humanity, and I have had an amazing experience at Roehampton learning all about these. I have also been a member of the netball team, which is such a wonderful experience to have at university, connecting with like-minded people and even getting a bit competitive!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at Roehampton?
Don’t feel pressured to make big decisions before you are sure, but don’t hold yourself back for fear of making the wrong choice. There’s always time to change your mind! Take the opportunities in front of you, whether you think you are good enough or not. The only way to find out is by giving it a go!