Mind the gap: 10 tips for navigating the transition from student to trainee sport and exercise psychologist

Sport and exercise psychology is a growing profession, as reflected in the increasing number and popularity of related undergraduate and master’s degrees offered by universities in the United Kingdom. Despite this growth, students often face a significant knowledge gap when transitioning from academic study to supervised training. Whilst the professional bodies overseeing this training pathway offer general guidance in their respective handbooks, these resources do little to address the realities of life as a trainee practitioner. In response to several enquiries from current students experiencing numerous uncertainties regarding the financial, logistical, and professional challenges of supervised training and applied practice, the author of this article, who is a Trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologist enrolled on the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (the QSEP), was prompted to prepare and deliver a series of ‘Mind the Gap’ webinars. During these webinars, the author drew on his own personal experiences to share practical advice on what students can do now to prepare for a smoother transition into the profession. By sharing this guidance with a wider audience, this article seeks to contribute to ongoing efforts to establish more structured and accessible support for aspiring practitioners.