An Honours year that catalysed her career growth

As a young child, Ms Amirah Jallil lived with a non-verbal relative diagnosed with autism. 

She witnessed the numerous challenges faced in caring for a child with autism and was intrigued by the innovative methods used to impart fundamental life skills.

“For example, he was taught to communicate using pictures and gestures,” she recalled. “It was interesting to witness diverse styles of teaching and learn about the different educational resources, schools and intervention centres.” 

Her childhood experiences eventually inspired her to become a behavioural therapist with AutismSTEP Singapore. 

After earning her Diploma of Psychology Studies from Temasek Polytechnic in 2018, Ms Amirah attained her Bachelor of Psychological Science from James Cook University (JCU) in 2020, followed by a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) a year later. Both of JCU’s degree programmes are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

The latter is run as a standalone programme and graduates are eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Aspiring psychologists in Australia can attain full registration via two years of supervised practice or an accredited Master’s degree, such as the Master of Psychology, which incorporates a year of supervised practice.

RESEARCH SKILLS FOR STUDIES AND WORK

“I first heard about JCU from my polytechnic lecturers who are alumni,” said Ms Amirah. “I was inspired by their passion and knowledge of psychology.” 

The assurance that JCU Singapore holds the EduTrust Star Award and offers psychology undergraduate courses accredited by APAC further kindled her interest.

Enrolling in JCU also meant gaining valuable research skills – key to a career in psychology. JCU equipped Ms Amirah with crucial research acumen through rigorous modules in research and statistics, which involve computational assessments, collaborative tasks and simulated experiments. 

“My lecturers and tutors are well-versed in research skills and provided fantastic support even outside of classroom hours,” she shared. “Furthermore, participating in studies conducted by higher-level students and faculty exposed me to different research methodologies. JCU’s research labs are also well-equipped and well supported by research assistants.” 

As part of Ms Amirah’s Honours programme, she had to complete a research thesis in a chosen area of specialisation. She chose to focus on the impact of hybrid and online classrooms on students’ academic performance and well-being.

According to Ms Amirah, writing a thesis and having the opportunity to publish her thesis in a journal served as pivotal stepping stones toward prospective post-graduate studies.

“Although arduous, I found the process and outcome of thesis writing greatly rewarding and valuable,” she said, adding that she is currently editing the manuscript together with two JCU lecturers to be submitted for peer review.

Her thesis supervisor, Dr Sean Lee, supported her research ideas with enthusiasm and gave her abundant assurance and guidance. “He offered advice and tips on how to elevate my research to the next level,” shared Ms Amirah. “He was very patient and encouraging while explaining complex concepts to me during the drafting of my research outline.”

PRACTICAL LEARNING FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Reflecting on her JCU journey, Ms Amirah praised the programme for effectively equipping her with the skills and knowledge essential to excel in her current role as a practitioner of applied behavioural analysis (ABA) therapy. Beyond furnishing a robust academic foundation crucial for her ABA therapy certification examination, JCU’s resources were instrumental in her job search.

“Students were encouraged to join courses and networking events and take up employment opportunities,” she said. “Through these experiences, I was able to network with fellow students and alumni who shared with me potential academic and career pathways.” 

Equipped with classroom simulations and role-playing experiences, Ms Amirah felt ready to tackle real-world professional challenges, well before her graduation.

“Receiving feedback and reinforcement from educators really shaped me. I gained insights into both my strengths and weaknesses, and received advice on areas of improvement before stepping into the workforce. Now, when I interact with clients and colleagues, I feel confident in my own practices and recommendations.” 

For those considering the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honors) programme at JCU, Ms Amirah has some advice.

“Being an honours student is definitely challenging,” she noted. “Unlike undergraduate assignments, developing your theoretical framework and writing your thesis extend across a full academic year. Pick a research topic you are passionate about, because your passion will push you to delve deeper into the literature, prompting you to ask questions and spot opportunities to bridge existing gaps.”

Finding a supervisor aligned with your research interests is equally important, she said. “JCU’s psychology lecturers boast extensive expertise across a spectrum of research areas, so you will have no issues finding a suitable supervisor.” 

JCU’s Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) programme is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Find out more about other psychology programmes offered at the Singapore campus of JCU.