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Ryan's story
Two years into his three year MA Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice masters, Northern Irish student Ryan Paden has the job he wants and a bright future ahead of him.
Ryan came to LJMU in 2010 to study for his undergraduate degree in Psychology. Liverpool really stood out as a friendly city and I decided I wanted to study here,” he recalls. Working part-time as a support worker during his studies, Ryan took up the role full-time after graduating. He also carried out project work for third sector organisations before taking up a job as a telephone researcher in LJMU’s Public Health Institute.
After I graduated I studied for a Diploma in Counselling. I was increasingly convinced that was the path I wanted to follow,” he says. I loved the course and decided it was what I wanted to do so, whilst working at LJMU, I started my masters part-time.”
Ryan qualified as a Counsellor after his first two years of study and is undertaking his dissertation to complete the Masters. The programme has been brilliant,” he smiles. Yes, it has been intense and downright difficult at times but it has certainly been very worthwhile.”
On qualifying as a counsellor, Ryan started to look for work in the NHS and, having narrowly missed out on the first post he applied for, he was invited to apply again when another role was advertised. I really can’t believe I have the job I have wanted for so long,” he says. I split my time between hospital work, working with GPs and offering telephone counselling. I’m getting a really good all round experience and I’m loving every minute of it.”