That is one of the reasons why Royal New Zealand Navy psychologist Midshipman Sarah Adams loves her job so much.The former University of Otago student is one of several psychologists who look after the wellbeing of New Zealand Defence Force personnel.
"We also work in assessment selection and we also work with high-performing teams.
"So we’re kind of spread across a lot of psychology. We’re generally considered organisational psychologists.
"We make sure everyone in the crew is ship-shape."
She said her main role was to make sure deploying personnel were mentally prepared for the environment they were entering, and that they were readjusting well when they returned.
"We check in on them again three months later — it depends on the kind of mission they’ve been on."
Yesterday, she was at the Careers Fair at the University of Otago, attempting to attract graduating psychology students to a career in the NZDF.
She also spoke at a New Zealand Defence Force presentation for psychology students about career opportunities.
"I didn’t know when I was here that you could do psychology in the navy.
"I think it’s about awareness.
"When I heard you could make a career of it in the navy, that was when my interest was piqued."
That was why attending the fair was so important, she said.
