Outdoors enthusiast finds new route to fulfilling career

A graduate who had to reassess his life choices after being diagnosed with a spinal condition has spoken about his positive study experience

Cai Brown in his graduation cap and brown

Cai Brown swapped Geology for Psychology

I would never previously have considered studying Psychology but it has proven far more interesting and fulfilling than anything I have formerly encountered

Cai Brown, MSc Psychology

Cai Brown, 32, from Newcastle-Under-Lyme, graduated from University of Staffordshire with an MSc in Psychology this month and will begin his PhD at the University in January.

A lover of the great outdoors, Cai previously studied Geology, Environmental Science and Conservation Biology to set himself up for a career in outdoor field studies. However, Cai was diagnosed with a spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which led him to re-evaluate his future.

“I used to do mountaineering, I went round the Himalayas and stuff like that,” explained Cai. “When I was 25, I had something called an AVM in my spine, which basically meant that my legs went from under me one day. From then on I was on crutches for about a year, and then I was in a wheelchair.

“As annoying as this was, it forced me to reflect upon my own strengths and weaknesses and to think outside of the box in order to find a way forward.”

Cai enrolled on the MSc Psychology course at University of Staffordshire which is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in another subject.

“I needed a subject that was interesting, varied and something that I really enjoyed. But that was also accessible, so I settled upon Psychology.

“I absolutely loved the course. The community is fantastic. I think there is a very good relationship between the students and staff, and you feel very integrated with the research of the department as well. You're allowed to really follow your interests.”

Cai brought his love of the outdoors into his studies and did a dissertation about nature connectedness. “It was about how someone's connection to nature influences their spiritual beliefs and their beliefs in the paranormal. So things like aliens, Bigfoot, fairies.

“You can do very varied things in psychology from the very grounded and obviously practical, all the way to asking people about Bigfoot, which is a fantastically interesting thing to do that you cannot do in Geology!”

After graduating with a distinction, Cai is staying at University of Staffordshire to begin a PhD exploring human and reptile interrelations.

He added: “Change is inevitable. Whether you like it or not, you will change. And sometimes you can direct the course of that change. Everyone has difficult things in their path in life and you have to learn to, pun intended, roll with it.

“I would never previously have considered studying Psychology but it has proven far more interesting and fulfilling than anything I have formerly encountered.”

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