Evie Dalrymple

BA Hons Social Science with Psychology, 2007/ MSc Psychology, 2010

Tell me more about your job and what it involves?

At this moment in time I work at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow with different types of offenders.

We assess the risk prisoners pose for when they actually come out of prison and we do this through different assessments.

We’re mostly involved in behaviour related programmes and we also assess the mental health of prisoners.

How did you end up in the job?

It was thanks to Abertay University and my supervisor! I did Social Science with Psychology for my undergraduate degree and then I did a Masters focussing on Criminal Psychology. At the same time I was working part time as an interpreter for courts. I would work both with prisoners and people who were accused of things. That linked nicely with what I was studying in my Masters degree.

After that I applied for different jobs and ended up getting an interview to become a Prison Psychologist. My Masters was pretty crucial. They wouldn’t have employed me if I’d done a different degree.

What’s your lasting impression of the University?

I had a very positive experience there. I really enjoyed the contribution from the lecturers. They managed to make us feel as though we were equal partners and never made me feel like I was just a student.

I felt motivated and inspired by the lecturers. Every time I needed guidance I got it.

The student community at Abertay was great too, as was the library!

Do you have any advice for our current students?

If you’re in your first year don’t be stressed about what you want to do in life. I started off studying Social Science, but then converted to Psychology. That’s possible – see where your interests grow.