Career Development for Rutgers Psychology Majors

1. Career Development for Rutgers Psychology Majors Toi K. Tyson, M.A. Jennifer Broyles, M.A. Assistant Directors, Career Services Career & Interview Center

2. Benefits of Majoring in Psychology • Psychology majors typically start out with an above-average interest in people • Courses taken encourage understanding and appreciation for a wide variety of people and perspectives • Prepares you with skills that are specifically needed in various work fields According to PsiChi.org

3. Transferable Skills of Psychology Majors • Interpersonal Communication Skills (oral and written) • Analytical Skills – the ability to observe, analyze & • interpret information • Critical & Inferential Thinking • Insight to deal effectively with people • Problem Solving • Decision Making • Good Listening • Concern for and sensitivity to others • Research Skills

4. The Importance of Having Research Experience It is one of the strongest transferable skills in that it enhances your ability to: • Create or test theories/concepts • Explain or predict events • Identify and explore cause and effect • Replicate the research formula and customize it for use in various environments • Articulate detailed results/findings in an intelligent manner (spoken or written)

5. Psychology Research Categories While there are many subcategories of research to explore, some of the broader topics include: • Social Psychology • Personality • Behavioral / Counseling-based • Honors

6. Identifying a Research Topic • Academic Resources: • Your professor/course syllabus may mandate topic criteria • Use your academic department’s walk-in hours • Other resources: • Resources from The American Psychological Association: PsychINFO® and PsychARTICLES® (RU Library Link) • The Readers Guide to Periodical Literature • Large Newspapers may occasionally post lists of their own topical indexes: ex. NY Times, Washington Post,The Wall Street Journal • Popular Websites: Yahoo, Ask.com, Google Source: www.apa.org

7. Researchers Among Us

8. Consider Your Undergraduate Academic Options • Community Psychology • Forensic Psychology • Personality Psychology • Neurobiology • Neuroscience • Social Psychology • Clinical Psychology • Cognitive Science • Developmental Psychology • Educational Psychology • Health Psychology Visit Faculty Advisors to determine a course schedule to fit your goals

9. Entry Level Career Opportunities • PUBLIC RELATIONS • Media Relations • Public Affairs Officer • Account Specialist • EVENT PLANNING • Conference/Meeting Planner • HIGHER EDUCATION • Admissions • Alumni Relations • Development • Academic Advising • ADVERTISING/ • MARKETING/ SALES Industries: Government, Non-Profit, Education, Healthcare, Business

10. Entry Level Career Opportunities • HUMAN RESOURCES • Generalist • Recruiter • Trainer • BANKING & • FINANCIAL SERVICES • Financial Analyst • Trader • Broker WRITING/EDITING/ PUBLISHING • Grant Writer • Technical Writer • Magazine Industries: Government, Non-Profit, Education, Healthcare, Business

11. Field Experience and Psychology-related Internships Field Experience/Internships • Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center • New Horizons in Autism and Applied Behavioral Concepts • Camp Excel (children with special needs) Summer Research Opportunities • Johns Hopkins Laboratory for Child Development • The Yale Cognition and Development Lab Aresty Research Center for Undergraduates Connect with faculty! For more information about these and other programs visit: http://psych.rutgers.edu/undergrad/careers.html

12. Advanced Degree Career Options Career Counselor Clinical Psychologist Counseling Psychologist Genetics Counselor Industrial/Organizational Psychologists Psychotherapist School Counselor School Psychologist Sports Psychologist Psychiatrist See handouts for specific information about graduate programs

13. How Can You Break Into These Fields? Network! • Search Career Services Alumni Network • Family, Friends, Faculty • Conduct Informational Interviews • Get involved in student clubs/organizations • Attend Career Days and Employer Information Sessions Gain some experience • Internships/Externships • Volunteer • Student Employment Build a resume that highlights your related skills Explore Interviewtrak/Monstertrakand other career links

14. Career Development Through Mentoring A mentor is a guide or counselor set in place to instruct or train. It’s a helpful way to network and to learn how to navigate through the “rookie years.” • Mentoring Pros & Cons • Pros: learning and growth that builds stronger organizations; the mentee can “pay it forward.” • Cons: making time; partner mismatch (Speaking up can make the difference!) • Ways to Find Mentors • Formal mentoring programs • Informal mentoring partnerships through networking • Professional Associations • RU Alumni Career Network

15. Career Development Through Mentoring, (continued) Tips on how the mentor can help maximize the mentorship connection: • Recall what it was like when you were “the new one.” • What Q’s did you have? • How did you find out about the most interesting programs/events/classes? • When did you start to identify your major and/or career focus? • What current resources/events would you suggest participation in? • How are you best contacted? When? • Everybody’s gotta eat! (Set times to meet, perhaps over food?) • What do you most want your mentee to learn from this connection (What’s the goal? You can set it together).

16. Career Development Through Mentoring, (continued) Tips on how the mentee can help maximize the mentorship connection: • Think of your mentor as a person to explore topics with – get their perspective • Learn about your mentor’s academic journey for inspiration or ideas • What has your mentor found most/least beneficial about their research/career focus • What are some best/worst courses to take for a certain career focus? • How did your mentor choose their research topics? • What is your mentor doing to build his or her resume? • Do you know how/when to contact your mentor?

17. Thank you! Presented by Toi Tyson and Jennifer Broyles Career Services ~ Busch Campus