PSY 2000 - Success in the Psychology Major (2)

Monday,Wednesday

12:00 PM - 01:07 PM

Main Campus Campus | Pawley Hall | Room 310

Understanding the steps needed for success in a given post-baccalaureate career endeavor and how to implement them effectively is crucial. This course will provide students with information about psychology related careers and will assist them in acquiring the skills necessary to apply for a job or graduate school. This course employs traditional lecture format invited guests, written assignments, and exercises. Prerequisites/Comments: PSY 1000 with a grade of C or higher.

This is a pass fail class that will be based upon participation  as well as completion of informational interviews, an edited resume/CV, internship worksheet, course of action plan, etc.   (Credit/No Credit)

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the career options available to them with a bachelor’s degree in psychology,

2. Understand what is needed for acceptance into a graduate program in psychology and what is involved in the graduate school application process,

3. Understand strategies that can be used to achieve success in their college classes (e.g., note­ taking, library research strategies, developing relationships with their professors),

4. Become familiar with APA style writing, as well as research ethics and plagiarism,

Have developed an individualized academic and career plan, including identification of an appropriate capstone course to achieve their career goals,

5. Have created a professional resume and/or curriculum vita, and learned various professional skills (e.g., interviewing),

6. Understand ways to get involved outside of the classroom (i.e., involvement in research, teaching, and professional  organizations).

The assignments are exercises designed to reinforce the learning objectives in the course. Assignments will be checked for completeness and will receive full credit, half-credit or no credit. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Two Informational Interviews.  Informational interviews are an effective way to meet people in a professional field of your interest. You will conduct two brief interviews with two individuals who have a career in the occupation/industry that you wish to learn more about. You will write an essay about the information interview experience (one essay for each interview). The essay should be at least one page

(12 point font, l-inch margins, double-spaced).

Career Services Worksheet. The purpose of Career Services is to fully assist students by providing the appropriate tools and resources to help guide them in their personal, academic and professional goals. You will become oriented with CS by visiting the center and answering the questions on the worksheet.

Internship/Field Work Worksheet- The purpose of this worksheet is to investigate possible internships that will contribute to your learning experience and set you on the right path. The internships identified may be pursued and employment will qualify you for PSY 4930.

CV or Resume. A resume is a document that describes an individual’s background and skill sets and is most often used in the job market. A curriculum vitae (or CV) is an academic resume that highlights your scholarly accomplishments and is most often used for graduate schools and in academia. You will prepare either a CV or a resume.

Customized Education Plan. This assignment consists of compiling all of the information you’ve learned about yourself and careers in psychology through your self-assessment, creating your CV, your informational interviews, and class lectures and readings. The plan will consist of:  your career goal statement, professional and academic 2 year and 5 year goals, and your course and activities goals