Day: October 24, 2019

By Briana Morgan

…a Forensic Psychologist.

By 2030 I would love to be a forensic psychologist. This particular STEM occupation requires the practitioner to apply their psychological knowledge and adroitness to the criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists may also initiate therapeutic interventions with the offender to further understand their cognitive and psychological functioning. This profession is necessary in modern society as it is crucial that convicted individuals are regarded with fairness and their current mentality is taken into account when dealing with the legal system.

The Role of a Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychology is valuable in today’s society as science and technology are rapidly advancing, allowing the study of forensic psychology to better correspond with the legal system. The practitioner is responsible for many roles including: the treatment of inmates that possess a mental disorder, develop criminal profiles, allow insight on the offender’s mental functioning, perform psychological assessments, and even address any concerns regarding the criminal in court.

When analysing the behavioural, social and cognitive characteristics of the convicted individual, forensic psychologists conduct thorough research to develop psychological strategies and methods that will reduce the possibility of an offender reoffending. The forensic psychologist typically works in correlation with police officers, jails, correctional facilities, the victim and their family, and even the community that was affected by the crime committed. This way, they can collect relevant information regarding the criminal, including any factors that may have led to the crime, and develop strategies that may help the criminal rehabilitate and move forward. Various forensic psychologists work with juveniles.

My  Early  Interest In  Psychology

Throughout my childhood, my parents were deeply interested in criminal psychological functioning. Their favourite show was ‘Criminal Minds’ as it thoroughly analysed and explained any factors contributing to an offender’s mentality. Listening in on these episodes, I had nothing but questions and even stated my own theories as I was so fascinated in psychology from such an early age!

Throughout my adolescent years, my interest in psychology has increased tremendously. Towards the remainder of year 9, I completed my transition into VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) legal studies, and analysed various case studies involving the minds of Australia’s most notorious criminals.

Who would I like to work with as a forensic psychologist?

This particular occupation requires practitioner to work alongside many individual with different professions.

Personally, I would like to work with Ronald Roesch, a psychologist that specialises in the field of law & forensics and is the director of the Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute at Simon Fraser University. Roesch is a highly successful forensic psychologist that has earned numerous awards including the Contributions to Psychology and Law Award from the American Psychology-Law Society and achieved the Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Psychology and Law from the European Association of Psychology and Law. Roesch also led the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services for approximately 2 years and published various books including ‘Competency to Stand Trial’ and ‘Psychology and Law: The State of the Discipline’.

Ronald Roesch is a highly experienced, highly recognised and highly credited forensic psychologist and working alongside him will benefit my psychological research and clinical applications as he has written many scholarly books and conducted substantial amounts of research that he can pass onto me and my work. Working with one of the world’s best forensic psychologists will not only be a huge honour, but will also widen my understanding of the criminal mind immensely.

What is a problem I’d like to solve?

Over recent years, many believe that an individual should serve the extent of their punishment in jail, regardless of their mental capacity. Unfortunately, in modern society, mental rehabilitation in jail and correctional facilities are limited as psychologists specialised in the field of law and crime are currently in demand. With further scientific and technological advancements, I believe I can educate humanity that criminals experiencing imbalances regarding psychological behaviour and functioning require full access to psychological facilities and their human rights, regardless of the crime they commit, for moral and ethical reasons. To do this, I will conduct thorough research regarding the brain structure and functioning of the criminal mind, but also study the chemical interactions happening within the brain. Even though the fact that the mind of a criminal differs from the rest of the population has been proven, the research I conduct in the future may potentially find a ‘cure’ or a medicinal treatment to stop reoffending and even first-time offenders from committing.

Combining my interest in psychology and law has allowed me to open my mind to the possibilities of solving problems and working with many scholars, all with different professions. I believe with my determination, I can make the world a better, safer place by improving the treatment of the world’s criminals and how we limit crime in the world.

By Amelia Vasiliou

What would I like to be? Today, I live in a land of opportunity. The world is at my feet. There are so many choices and so many careers but which one is right for me? There are doctors, lawyers and engineers. Tradesmen, soldiers and CEOs. There are boundless possibilities. How can I choose what I will make of myself? I don’t currently know what particular job that I want to have, but I know what field I want to work in. For the past fews years I have had the opportunity to attend high school and learn about a topic I love: Science.

At the end of my life, I don’t want to be famous. I don’t want the media to cover my death and slander my name a few years after they praised me and all that I did. I only want to be remembered by a few: My friends, family and those I helped. I want to work in a STEM career that interests me and will allow me to help others. I want to work in a field that will ensure that I am constantly learning, growing and never in a dull moment. There are so many choices, but I will tell you of two near the top of my list.

Ever since I was little I have been entranced and intrigued by the idea of flight and space travel. Of going further than we’ve ever gone before. As a young child, my love of flight was mainly focused on Peter Pan, but since the fantasy of soaring through the air to Neverland was just that, a fantasy, I soon turned to the only realistic way a human being can defy gravity: space travel. Being also a history lover, I became obsessed with the history of space flight and how far we’ve come, from earth to the moon and now maybe, to Mars. From the history, I turned to the science and for a while, set my sights on becoming an aerospace engineer. By 2030, I hope to be in a STEM career and maybe, this career will involve me, as an aerospace engineer, working for a space agency.

But how can I combine this with my desire to help people? Aerospace engineers can improve flight technology and safety features on aircrafts. They are also often the ones who actually get the astronauts to space. They do design the spacecrafts after all. Ever heard of the saying ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’? This applies to aerospace engineers but can also mean that the make the dream. How many young children do what I used to do: look up at the stars and just think “Wow. There are people up there.”? Aerospace engineers are part of the reason it’s possible to get people to space, and part of the reason that the next generation can dream of going further than their forefathers.

I do admit though, albeit that aerospace engineering is an exciting field to work in, it wouldn’t really allow me to help people as much as I’d like. Yes, I would still try to do charity work and go on missionary trips but that wouldn’t really be a part of my career. This brings me to another of the many career opportunities out there, but this time in a field renowned for helping people: medicine. I’ve heard all the lectures about medicine: “You should study medicine, it pays well”, “It’s really difficult to get in to. You’d need a really good ATAR”, “You should become a surgeon like in M*A*S*H*!” (credited to my mum), or the ever popular, “You become doctor and I get you car!” (thanks παπού). But really though, what if I was working in a medical field by 2030? If I was, I’d probably choose to be a surgeon. To save lives. A difficult, risky profession, but worth it. I’d get to help countless people as well as continue to learn in a career with never a dull moment. There would be failure, pain and loss, but there would also be hope, joy and relief. I have seen a little of what death and pain does to people, so preventing that would be a very noble pursuit.

I’m not one for cameras, bright lights and fame. I may be loud and I may be trouble but I think I prefer to fly under the radar. I don’t want public attention for what I do, I just want to do my best and see where life leads me. By 2030, I want to be working in a STEM career, whether that be aerospace engineering or surgery or something completely different. I know roughly where I want to be.

Now to get there.