7 October 2025

Find out what Shirin got up to on a recent KHP Summer Internship with King’s Clinical Academic Training Office (KCATO). 

1. What have you been working on as part of your KHP summer internship?

I’ve been working with the King’s Clinical Academic Training Office (KCATO) on a project exploring the career destinations of Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs) after completing a PhD.

This has involved analysing publicly available datasets and King’s College London data, as well as conducting interviews with NMAHPs to develop case studies. I have been learning about the different routes people take, such as becoming clinical academics, returning to practice, or continuing in research. I have also explored the decisions that shaped their journeys and the supports that helped them along the way. These will help inform future strategies to strengthen clinical academic pathways for NMAHPs.

2. What have you enjoyed most about your experience working with KHP?

I’ve really enjoyed learning directly from clinicians and leaders across professions their journeys have been inspiring and have shown me the many ways one can build a meaningful clinical academic career.

I’ve also felt incredibly supported throughout my internship. What stood out most was how accessibility was embedded from the start. For example, I was given clear information and interview questions in advance, which allowed me to perform at my best without needing to request adjustments. That sense of inclusion continued throughout, and it made a real difference to my confidence and sense of belonging.

3. What inspired you to take on this role?

I aspire to become a clinical academic, combining clinical psychology practice with research. This internship was the perfect opportunity to explore how these two areas complement one another. Learning from midwives, nurses, and allied health professionals helped me appreciate the different ways people build careers and the challenges they face along the way.

I was drawn to KHP’s emphasis on partnership and inclusion, and I wanted to contribute to a project that identifies the facilitators and barriers that shape equitable access to clinical academic careers.

4. What have you learned about working in partnership?

It has been inspiring to work in partnership and see how collaboration allows us to build on each other’s work rather than starting from scratch. Doing this internship at KHP showed me how effective partnership relies on shared learning systems where insights are openly exchanged.

5. What advice do you have for someone starting an internship?

Be curious and proactive. Say yes to opportunities, connect with different people, ask questions, and share your ideas. Internships are about learning and growing as much as contributing, so take the time to explore, reflect, and build relationships. I found that being open and engaged made my experience far more rewarding.

Find out more about the work of King’s Clinical Academic Training Office (KCATO).