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Designing Your Career in
Psychology
Table
of Contents
Careers
in Psychology
What
do psychologists do?
Psychology is a very broad field and there are a number of sources
which catalog the
settings,
agencies and specializations within the field.
Begin by reading the career path books in A106.
Check career information and web sites posted on the blue bulletin
boards and the web sites given at the end of this booklet.
Can
I get a job with a psychology baccalaureate?
Yes, you can.
Only those holding graduate degrees are considered psychologists, but
there are many jobs for psychology baccalaureates.
What
kind of jobs do baccalaureates get?
Common areas
of employment are:
Administration (often in health settings or community agencies)
Advertising
Business management and sales
Community relations
Education
Health services/social services providers
Human resources
Hospitality industries
Market research
Program development
Public affairs and community outreach (often in social
service settings)
Research
Retailing
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For
a sampling of positions currently available, check the classified
employment ads in major newspapers.
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Check
the blue bulletin boards. One
board lists employment opportunities received by the Department and
often other boards will contain relevant
information and job ads.
-
The
Department has descriptions of several common jobs (psychiatric nurse,
school counselor, school psychology, forensic psychology and clinical
psychology). Copies
are in the Student Information Center in A103.
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Talk
to people who work in your areas of interest.
Beyond
the Baccalaureate
The
Department of Labor and several book publishers have placed post graduate
career information on the web. Periodically
we download this information and post it on the blue bulletin boards.
(note the web sites).
For
a content-approach to psychology careers, read about the divisions of the
American Psychological Ass’n (see
APA web site under Web Resources). Feel
free to contact the divisions.
Psychologists
work in private practice, government, industry, military and academic
settings in a broad range of careers.
Below is a sampling:
teaching
and research
private
practice, social service agencies, charitable organizations, child-care,
community development, hospitals
human factors, health, military, program assessment, research,
management, analyst, public safety, courts, prisons
personnel, advertising, marketing and consumer research diversity
programs, training, program development and assessment
counseling, teaching (with appropriate certification)
research,
writing, media
hospitals,
rehabilitation, substance abuse, patient services, insurance case
management
forensic,
sports
What kinds
of jobs do psychology masters and doctorates get?
What if I decide to go into
law or medicine when I graduate? Can
I use psychology for other professions?
- Yes,
Psychology is a springboard for many professions.
Medical, educational, legal and social work fields all require
psychology
courses. It is probably
the most universally useful major for graduate study.
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Skills
for a Flexible Future
-The
time is past when you trained for one career and expected to stay in it
all your life.
-People
now change careers several times
-Everyone
knows that the way health care is delivered is changing – and with
it the jobs in health, but …so are the jobs in other fields!
Q.
How do I make my college education “work
for me”
if careers and jobs keep changing?
A. Weave
a rich tapestry of skills and psychological background for dealing
with people.
In
today’s world, psychology is required in all the health and education
fields as well as in business and communication.
Skills are passports to working in many
fields. Learn skills that …
1)
… cross many fields (who
knows what you will want to do 10 or 15 years from now!)
2) … will last. Some
skills never go out of style.
Skills for a flexible future
Statistical
Research & data gathering
Presentational
Communication: speaking and writing
Foreign language (especially Spanish in the Worcester area)
Planning & organizing
Working in teams
Diversity interactive skills
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The
Time Line
-
Planning your college career begins now!
-
It is important to study the basic statistical and research
skills early, so there will be time to practice these skills and do
advanced research work if you choose.
Suggested time line:
a) Statistics……………………..……...
.(required)…... …sophomore year
b) Research
Methods……………..…..(required).…..…..sophomore/junior year
c) Advanced
Experimental Methods……(optional)…….…..junior year
d) Research
projects with faculty………(optional)………...junior/senior year
Other
valuable courses: computer
software courses, media/communications, foreign languages, speech,
writing, diversity courses, and internships
Do …
…join all honor societies regardless of the field
…take a broad liberal arts background
…take advanced courses: minimum of 30% junior/senior
coursework
recommended
…begin to draft your resume now, no matter what class you
are
Don’t…
…get too narrowly focused: e.g.,
only taking developmental courses
…wait to take the GRE or Millers until the last minute
…just do academics – get involved in other activities, too.
…close
doors. Keep your options
open. (Not interested in
graduate school now or can’t afford it?)
Okay…but take courses and
learn grades
that will allow you to go later should you want to.
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Employability
Q. What do employers want?
How do I get job offers?
A. Skills! Skills! Skills! Skills! Skills! Skills!
“A psychology major provides an unusually wide range of
marketable skills. These are
skills which should be mentioned in resumes and job applications,
especially if you can cite examples
of your use of these competencies:”
1)
Literacy. Training
to write in several different formats including concise writing as in
research reports.
2)
Numeracy. Familiarity
with statistical procedures and interpretation of data summaries.
Few majors emphasize both literacy and numeracy.
3)
Computer literacy. Familiarity
with computers and relevant software packages.
4)
Information-finding skills.
Experience in library and computer search methods.
5)
Research skills. Systematic
gathering and analyzing of information including specific experimental and
observational methods.
6)
Measurement skills.
Operationalizing the measurement of complex processes and use of
measurement tools.
7)
Environmental awareness.
High level of awareness of overt and subtle environ-mental
influences on behavior, including social cues.
8)
Interpersonal awareness.
Knowledge of the mechanisms of communication and influence and
sources of conflict.
9)
Problem solving skills.
Training in problem-solving skills and use of a variety of
problem-solving strategies.
10)
Critical evaluation.
Evaluation of observed phenomena, analysis of arguments and
anticipation of problems.
11)
Perspectives. Training
to see issues from various viewpoints and identification of different
models or theories used in a situation.
12)
Pragmatism. Knowledge
that there is no perfect study or theory and ability to use the best
practical approach.
(Adapted
from the APA Monitor {July 1997}, The Distinctive skills of a psychology
graduate, by Dr. Nicky Hayes, p.33)
Q. What will make my background
and resume stand out?
A. Of course a neat, complete, well organized resume is a
requirement, but other people also have neat, complete, well organized
resumes.
To
stand out, you need “extras” such as:
1.
Extra computer skills
familiarity with several software packages
2.
Foreign language fluency
Conversational ability in at least one language is an asset.
Spanish is especially valuable in the Worcester area. Signing
for the deaf can also be helpful.
3.
Extra statistical and/or research skills
(evidenced by titles of studies, reports, research, etc. you
have conducted or coauthored)
4.
Breadth
Employers and graduate schools want well-rounded people.
Participate on campus; volunteer in the community.
5.
Superior academic performance
honors
awards
scholarships
fellowships
The
more honors and awards you have, the better
6.
“People” skills, planning skills, team skills, writing
skills.
Unless
you have won awards for these skills, they are not easily listed on
resumes. You can, however,
seek opportunities to gain experience in them, (e.g., sit on planning
committees); talk about these skills in your cover letters and ask your
references to talk about them.
Q.
How do I find positions?
A. 1.
Network:
Meet people through internships, jobs volunteer work, conferences.
2.
Professional organizations: Professional organizations have
student memberships and conferences.
3.
Newspaper ads
Q. What
will make my interview stand out?
A. 1.
Research the company or organization so you can talk knowledgeably.
2.
Prepare in advance for the “hard” questions:
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“Tell me about yourself.
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“Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses.
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“Why do you want to work for us?
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“What do you look for in a job?
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“How long would it take for you to make a meaningful
contribution?
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“Why should we hire you?
3. Ask the
interviewer what he/she likes best about the company/organization.
Do not ask for the negatives.
4. Thank the
interviewer for granting you his/her time:
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at the start of the interview
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at the end of the interview
and
-
about a week later in a hand-written note.
Q. What will make my reference letters stand out?
A. 1. Ask
people who know you well to write recommendations.
2.
Give them a copy of your resume and a statement of purpose.
3.
Ask them to stress the skills listed on page 7 of this booklet as
well as your maturity, your motivation to succeed, and your interpersonal
skills. Also include any
skills and and experiences the employer specifically wants.
4.
Waive the right to examine your reference letters.
Employers and graduate schools give
little credence to reference forms accessible to candidates.
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Resources
The
Psychology department has a wide range of resources specifically designed
to help students weave a rich educational tapestry.
Take advantage of them!
Psychology
Information Booklet
A
fuller discussion of the major, including course requirements,
recommendations and graduation requirements is found in the Information
Booklet. All majors need this
booklet!
Take
charge of your academic career. Use
the “tic” sheets at the end of the Information Booklet to keep track
of your academic program. Use
the Notes pages at the end of this Career Planning booklet for planning
courses you want to have in your program and for listing items to include
in your resume.
Copies
of the Information Booklet may be obtained in the Student Information
Center in A103.
Computer
Lab
The
Psychology department has a state-of-the-art Computer Laboratory that is
open to students most of the day. Computer
software includes:
For
poster and overhead presentations, the faculty color printer may be used.
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Internships
Internships
are available to upper classmen. Students
may draw from the Department’s large book of internships or develop
their own. If you don’t see
the Internship book on the table outside the Psychology door (A106), ask
Mrs. King, the department secretary.
Experience
Want
experience? Check on
working in the computer lab or the Psychology office.
Volunteer to help research faculty; some even have grants providing
paid positions for students. Try
an internship. (Note. A very
high percentage of internships lead to full time positions.)
Research
Aids
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Don’t know whom to work with on a project?
Consult bulletin boards for faculty areas of interest.
Your topic is not listed?
Ask a faculty member about it.
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Need statistical help?
Consult bulletin boards for names of faculty who can help you.
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Need computer help?
Consult the computer lab aides.
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Need scales (experimental measures) for your research study?
The Department has seven volumes of APA information on scales found
in the psychological literature as
well as: Finding Information about Psychological Tests, A Guide to
Locating and
Using both Public and Unpublished Tests.
See Mrs. King in A106.
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Need a poster model?
Check the blue bulletin boards.
One or more research posters are usually on display; many go on
display during Spring semester.
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Need books and journal articles for your papers and
reports? The WSC library
data bases are on-line. Access
them from home thru the WSC home pages using a library bar sticker on
the back of your WSC ID.
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Communication
Keep abreast of department resources and changes.
Read the Psychology Newsletter which comes out twice a semester.
Read the blue bulletin boards for:
Articles on current topics of interest
(e.g., autism, depression)
Career path information
Conferences
Faculty publications and presentations
Graduate school information
Honors earned by department students
Job opportunities
Psi Chi initiates
Registration and advising information
Scholarships and fellowships
Student publications and presentations
Upcoming events (e.g., open houses, speakers)
Volunteer
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Resumes
The
Department has instructions for writing resumes.
Copies are available in the Student Information Center in A103.
We
recommend that you begin creating your resume during your freshman year.
Maybe it won’t have much on it at the start, but it will be
easier to remember everything you should include if you start early and
update it every semester or every summer rather than wait to create it in
your senior year. Starting
early will show you where the “holes” are time enough for you to take
steps to “fill them in” before its too late.
Use
the Resume Note page at the end of this booklet to record things you want
to include in your resume.
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Earn
Honors
Earn
as many as you can!
The
Department has a well established chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor
society in psychology. If
invited, join it! You may
also find yourself eligible to join a national honor society in another
field. DO IT!
Join the freshman honor society, the graduate honor society and any
others that you can. They
will benefit your resume and your career forever.
The
Department has an Honors Program scheduled to start shortly.
Watch the bulletin boards and department Newsletter for
announcements.
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Concentrations
The
Department has created a concentration in Mental Health Services and
another in Developmental Processes. Descriptions
of these concentrations and the coursework for them are found in the
college catalog and on separate handouts in the Student Information
Center. A Health
concentration is currently under development.
A
Consortium Certificate in Gerontology and an interdisciplinary Women’s
Studies concentration are also available to majors.
Check the college catalog and the Student Information Center in
A103 for descriptions.
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Academic
Advisors
Academic
advisors are useful creatures!
Treat them kindly and talk to them!
They know the college policies, rules and resources or can route
you to the people who do.
Baccalaureate
Reprint
available in Student Information Center, A103:
“Finding
Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology”.
Book
which can be read in A106:
Is
Psychology the Major for You? Planning
for your Undergraduate years.
Graduate School
Books
which can be read in A106:
(see Mrs. King)
- Graduate
Study in Psychology
The
Guide to Master’s Programs in Psychology and Counseling Psychology
Getting In. A
Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology.
Booklet
available in the student Information Center, A103:
- “Graduate
School for Psychology Majors”.
Counseling
and Placement Center
This
Center has major reference works on jobs and graduate schools, graduate
school catalogs, job listings and provide assistance in writing resumes
and preparing for interviews.
Seniors
should set up a Placement file to hold their letters of reference and
other material for future use.
The
Counseling and Placement Center is located in the Student Center.
What
can I do with my major in psychology?
What kind of career can I have?
For
most students choosing a career is a tough decision.
A
good starting point is to ask yourself:
What
would I like to be doing 5 years from now?
Even
if your answer is as vague as “work with children” or “with
animals” or “work in a research lab” or “something in sports” or
“in the business world” or “with art”,
it is a starting point for planning and will help to focus your
studies. Even if you can’t
decide between two areas, this is still a good beginning.
Need help identifying areas in psychology?
see the following career areas
read the career material on the Department’s blue bulletin
boards
check the web sources listed in this booklet and on the bulletin
boards
read the Career Paths book in A106
Picking
a general area or two doesn’t commit you irrevocably to one specific
career
– every area includes many careers – and you can change – and
picking
an area might even help you decide earlier that you don’t really want
to
work in that area after all.
Once
you have even a vague idea of the kind of work you might like to do, start
investigating which courses and experiences are most appropriate:
Note.
Information on these programs is found in the college catalogue and
the Student Information
Center in A103.
Note.
Check the bulletin boards and web sites for information.
Note.
Be sure to check the college catalog for how often courses are
offered. The category number tells you.
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