Matt Lawson

I took the specialised business pathway offered by the BSc Psychology course, which opened my eyes to the way that Psychology is part of the corporate world. Psychological practices and research are incorporated into marketing, sales, recruitment, consulting and so much more! So I combined my love for tech and psychology to go down this career path.

What are you doing now?

I am currently a Business Development Manager and Website Optimization Specialist for Ezoic, a technology company based in Carlsbad, California - with a European HQ in Gateshead!

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

Northumbria offered a fantastic course in BSc Psychology - Great optional modules, the ability to specialise into pathways and I loved the lecturers. There was also a large array of events and social groups which was important to me, and made me feel safe in campus as an LGBT identifying person.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

Studying at Northumbria included a large variety of work - Essays, Lectures, Projects, Presentations, Group projects and plenty of scope for some creativity in how you approach most assignments! I received feedback on formative work often before having to submit anything officially too so I was able to develop and grow my ideas and pieces before fully submitting. I was able to ask for more support at any time.

How connected was your course with industry?

I was able to organise a placement if I wanted to, got to work on organisational improvement projects for real world companies and was able to specialise into specific areas of Psych - including specialist lecturers, courses and experiences, to allow for appropriate industry experience regardless of your pathway.

What was the best thing about your course?

The best thing about the course was the support received during my dissertation - My dissertation supervisor Vicki Elsey was absolutely fantastic at giving me the support and encouragement needed to tackle a piece of work that can be daunting in any course! The department was always offering 1-1s, help with stats and support needed to get everyone past the goal.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

Studying at Northumbria gave me an edge in 3 main ways: 1. The ability to specialise in Business Psychology is incredibly rare 2. The large array of social events gave me plenty of extra experience in volunteering, public speaking, events planning and boosted my confidence 3. The empowerment given to me when I was elected for Sexual and Romantic diversity rep (SRD) allowed me to vote on important motions and some helpful LGBT resources - further separating me from candidates that just did their degree and left.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

BSc Psychology taught me about the importance of accepting constructive feedback, and being willing to listen and grow - You can't get everything perfect first time, but the ability to understand and apply critique without taking it personally has helped significantly in my professional life.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

I enjoyed the community atmosphere and ethos the most - always able to pop into the Student's Union and have a drink, chat to the sabbatical officers, dip in and out of any events on, and always feel generally welcome and safe. Especially in my first year - it really was a home away from home.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

I'd say to go for it - I didn't regret a second of it. Newcastle is a fantastic city brimming with culture and nightlife, and Northumbria Uni is brimming with possibilities. Get stuck into a society or two and if you have a bad day? The pizzas at Habita in the SU are the best cure-all!

How would you describe your time at Northumbria in three words?

Life-changing adventure.