Amber Medina Dos Santos, 27, has an impressive academic background. She holds four degrees, highlighting her dedication to education and personal growth. Most recently, she graduated with distinction, earning cum laude honours in SACAP’s BPsych Equivalent Programme.
With this wealth of accomplishments under her belt, we’re curious about Amber’s aspirations, so we reached out to her with a few questions. Here’s what she had to share…
Driven by a dream
Amber is an avid learner. “I have been a student for nine years,” she admits. “Pursuing my passion for psychology and my desire to become a clinical psychologist drives me the most.”
From a young age, Amber says she has always wanted to work with people and assist them. What started as a simple wish has developed into a treasured dream.
“My dream job today is not very different from what I envisioned in my childhood,” she says. “What sets it apart now is my passion for holistic counselling and the clinical aspects of psychology.”
We asked Amber to clarify what she means by clinical aspects. “I particularly enjoy clinical work in rehabilitation and hospital settings,” she explains, “as well as dealing with severe psychopathology and making diagnoses.”
Going for goals
Amber holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Psychology and English from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). She also completed an Honours degree in Psychology at WITS and subsequently earned her BPsych Equivalent in Psychometry from the University of Johannesburg.
We asked her why she chose to study SACAP’s BPsych Equivalent Programme as an additional qualification. “I learned about SACAP from friends in the psychology department at WITS,” she explains. “Enrolling in SACAP’s course would be a valuable opportunity, as it would enable me to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) afterwards.”
Amber’s goal is to register with the HPCSA so that she can start counselling people in need of therapy. She believes SACAP’s BPsych Equivalent Programme is more practical than other degrees. “I wanted to pursue a more hands-on degree to help me develop my own practice,” she says.
Saluting SACAP
Amber’s decision to study at SACAP was very rewarding, she notes. The course modules were outstanding, and she thoroughly enjoyed her Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experience, which is a crucial part of her qualification.
For the WIL component of the programme, Amber was placed at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF). “This aligned perfectly with my passion for addictions,” she asserts. “The experience was fantastic!”
Amber’s highlight of studying at SACAP? “Meeting wonderful friends and acquiring a wealth of knowledge from exceptional educators,” she says. “All of my lecturers were fantastic. SACAP’s Johannesburg Campus felt like a home away from home, and I have formed lifelong friendships.”
On the horizon
Graduating cum laude is a valuable advantage for future success. We asked Amber about the opportunities she believes her SACAP qualification will unlock for her. “My dream job is to become a clinical psychologist, working both in private practice and at a rehabilitation centre in a psychiatric hospital,” she explains.
“Since I already hold HPCSA registration as a Psychometrist, I believe that this, combined with my Registered Counsellor qualification, will enable me to open my own practice.”
The big five
“My journey has been guided by my commitment to serve, and I aspire to create meaningful connections that can inspire and uplift those around me,” Amber concludes. “Five years from now, I hope to have a successful practice that makes a difference in my community.”
A lot can happen in five years – it’s pretty much your entire high school experience. Think about how much you changed during that time. Why not take a cue from Amber and set some big goals? Figure out what really drives you and then pour your energy into that.
If you’re passionate about people, SACAP is the ideal institution for you. Our psychology qualifications produce a diverse range of in-demand professionals, from community counsellors and child psychologists to leadership coaches. Keen to find out which SACAP course will help you achieve your dreams? Click here for more information.
Related Courses
![Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology [BPsych Equivalent Programme]](https://www.sacap.edu.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sacap-website-coursebanner-bsocscihonours-578x294-.jpg)
