While it usually takes between 3-4 years to pass this exam and secure a Resident Psychologist Intern (PIR) position, Mariona Orellana and Lucía Enríquez succeeded in making their dream a reality in just their second attempt. According to the new interns, “passing the PIR took a great deal of sacrifice and long hours of studying, but it has also been extremely rewarding, as it has helped us achieve our main objective.”

Over the next four years, Orellana and Enríquez will have the opportunity to complete their residency training in the various care units available in public hospitals. “This will give us access to the comprehensive and specialised clinical psychology training necessary to work in the areas in which we are most interested, such as palliative care and severe mental disorders,” they explain.

The two UIC Barcelona alumni are among the 247 individuals who earned the opportunity to train as clinical psychologists from close to 4,000 applicants. According to Orellana, “while the PIR exam is very demanding, the education we received during our time at UIC Barcelona was extremely helpful when it came to taking it.” “Right from the start we were encouraged to sit the PIR if we wanted to work as clinical psychologists, and throughout the programme we had the opportunity to become familiar with this exam”, added Enríquez.

Both Mariona Orellana and Lucía Enríquez encourage students from the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology “to take full advantage of the hours they spend in the Support Clinic, in which they visit patients right from year one, as well as the knowledge and experiences of the programme’s teaching staff as active professionals. And to sit the PIR exam following graduation if they are passionate about clinical psychology, as it represents an investment for the future.”

This video explains their experience.