January 2016 Archives

Week 3: 10 Graduate Programs

By maclink on January 3, 2016 1:32 PM | 0 Comments


"We learned about many things that I did not expect to learn about, and these learning experiences made me feel more confident and prepared as I move forward with graduation and searching for internships and jobs."


Read K&M Ch 13 & 14; APA Ch 5


For this assignment you will start searching for graduate programs. This is a fairly time consuming task. I know that not all of you are planning on graduate school, but this is an important activity for all so that you fully understand all of your career options. Searching for graduate programs can be intimidating...google is probably not your friend for this one, because it is very difficult to evaluate quality of the program when something just pops up on google. First, review these links to get you started.


APA Guide on Graduate Education

APA Database

    login kimmaclin@gmail.com

    password: zild7noyzy

Why Get a PhD? -

Applying to Graduate School -


What are some other ways to find schools? You can review the facebook alumni group. A previous class asked the alums there opinions about how to find programs, and you'll see some of their responses there. Another way, is to ask your advisor or research professor what programs they recommend. You can also find out what school a favorite professor (or any author of any journal article you like) went to; the school that they graduated from is usually listed in the faculty profiles on department webpages. Their university affiliation will be listed underneath their name on the title page of a journal article. You can go to that university's webpage and navigate to the psych dept. You can then start to browse what graduate programs they have. As you do this, you will start to get a sense of the different types of grad programs (and skimming through your textbook for this class is going to be helpful too) and what is interesting to you, and importantly, what is NOT interesting to you. 


You may also want to browse and consider non-psych grad programs like Masters in Social Work and Masters in Mental Health Counseling. 


This assignment is to benefit you. If you are interested in law enforcement, medical school, law school, or whatever, choose 10 programs that fit that interest.

 

Here are some links to get you started:


Psychology and Related Grad Programs (information and advice)


APA Accredited Programs in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology -

Universities by State -

Graduate Progams in Psychology and Law  -

 Best Psychology Graduate Programs-US News and World Report  -

Best Graduate Programs (all categories) - US News and World Report -

Graduate Programs in Social Work

Graduate Programs in Mental Health Counseling -

College Scorecard

Marriage and Family Therapy Programs 

Make a list of 10 graduate programs. Provide the name of the school, the name of the program, and the degree that the program is for. 


Explore!


Post by Kelly Wilson.
Welcome to Graduate School
The Illustrated Guide to a PhD
How Not To Suck at Graduate School 
Welcome to Graduate School 
Finding an academic job
Advice on Priorities in Academia 

Graduate School References:

Buskist, W., & Burke, C. (2007). Preparing for graduate school in psychology: 101 questions and answers (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Darley, J. M., Zanna, M. P., & Roediger, H. L., III (2004). The compleat academic: A career guide (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: APA.

Davis, S. F., Giordano, P. J., & Licht, C. A. (2009). Your career in psychology: Putting your graduate degree to work. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.

Johnson, W. B., & Huwe, J. M. (2002). Getting mentored in graduate school. Washington, DC: APA.

Kracen, A. C., & Wallace, I. J. (2008). Applying to graduate school in psychology: Advice from successful students and prominent psychologists. Washington, DC: APA.

Kuther, T. L. (2008). Surviving graduate school in psychology: A pocket mentor. Washington, DC: APA.

 Prinstein, M. J., & Patterson, M. D. (2003). The portable mentor: Expert guide to a successful career in psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic.

 Walfish, S., & Hess, A. K. (Eds.) (2001). Succeeding in graduate school: The career guide for psychology students. Hillsdale, NJ: LEA.

Week 4: References for Grad School

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:01 PM | 0 Comments

"I am glad that this is a required course for psychology majors. I think that it helps us with our professionalism and preparedness."

For this assignment you will provide the names, titles/positions of 3 people you think will be your references for graduate school (which will go on your vita). References can be advisors, professors who know you well, professors you have TAd or RAd for, supervisors in academically oriented work settings. Normally, you do not put references on a vita without express permission from the person. However, given that this is an assignment, you made do so. Keep in mind, that a goal for you is that by the end of this course that you have confirmed one reference for your vita (you have for real asked them and they have for real said yes).

How do you confirm references? In other words, how do you ask people to be a reference? For an academic reference (for your vita, and for applying to graduate school), the requesting process is a little more involved. To ask a professor to be a reference, you can imagine that they should have an idea of who you are :) So the first step really is to start to cultivate relationships with professors (which is precisely why I have you meet with professors and professionals as requirements for this course; to start to establish those relationships). Your 'weakest' of your 3 references for graduate school might be a professor who likes you, and you received an A in their course. Your other two references though should be more indepth relationships, like someone you did research with, was a teaching assistant for, etc. 

Once you know who you are going to ask, you should request an in-person meeting with them. In that meeting you can discuss your interest in graduate school, the  types of programs you are going to apply for, and your ultimate goals. Then you can ask them. If they say yes, you can follow up that meeting with the materials they will need to write your letters which might be specialized forms from each school, and at the least, addresses, and deadlines. 

I also recommend that you provide them with an "information sheet" that summarizes you. Some faculty have their own questionnaires or other specific information that they want you to provide. But this will be a good start. Provide: 1) your name 2) year in school 3) the types of programs that you are applying for 4) your psych gpa 5) your cumulative gpa 6) your SAT or ACT core 7) your gre score if you know it 8) the courses you have taken with that reference and the grades you got in those courses 9) information on any special projects or papers that you did in any of their classes that could job their memory or otherwise help them provide detail in their letter 10) how long you have known that reference and in what capacity (student, TA, RA, advisor, etc) 11) any specific information you want the reference to highlight or address.  This is important, because no matter how well a professor knows you, they may not have all this information at the ready, and may not readily remember all of this important stuff...so help a sista/brutha out and refresh their memory :)

Keep in mind also, that letter writers are often asked specifically about the following traits:

Persistence: individuals are good at overcoming challenges, finishing what they start, turning plans into actions.

Achievement Orientation: individuals who are low on achievement orientation are not highly motivated to succeed and do just enough to get by. Conversely, individuals who are achievement oriented, work hard, do more than what is expected of them, set high standards for themselves and others, set hard but achievable goals.

Time Management: good time managers are good at meeting deadlines, accomplish their work on time, get tasks done right away, do things according to plan, like to plan ahead, follow a schedule. Individuals who are poor at time management do not plan ahead, find it difficult to get down to work, need a push to get started, waste time, postpone decisions, have difficulty starting tasks, are often late to work, put off unpleasant tasks.

Resilience: resilient individuals are good at overcoming challenges, can stand criticism, welcome feedback, handle stress well, readily overcome setbacks. Conversely, stress-prone individuals are easily discouraged, get stressed out easily.

Honesty/Integrity: Individuals who are low on integrity misrepresent the facts, break promises. Honest individuals try to follow the rules, adhere to high ethical standards, are trustworthy. 

Diligence: diligent individuals are always prepared, pay attention to details, demand quality, are careful to avoid making mistakes, are exacting in their work. Individuals who are not diligent neglect their duties, do things in a half-way manner, frequently forget to do things, do the opposite of what is asked.

Knowledge of Intended Specialty of Study: There are always differences between applicants regarding their current knowledge of what the specific graduate program to which they are applying to actually entails. 

Degree of Interest in Specialty of Study: Applicants also vary on the degree to which they currently have well defined interests in the specific graduate program to which they are applying. 

All of the above factors will be rated by the recommender on the following scale, choosing one category for you:

top 1-2% of all students I have known

top 5% of all students I have known

top 10% of all students I have known

top 25% of all students I have known

top 50% of all students I have known

bottom 50% of all students I have known

no opportunity to observe and/or no basis for evaluation

The last question is often the following:

What is your overall evaluation of the candidate's probability of success in graduate school?

Will definitely complete the PhD and is likely to be a star in his or her field

Will definitely complete the PhD

Masters easily, at least 50-50 chance of completing the PhD

Good probability of Masters, may end there

Not graduate school material


As you can see, this is why it is so important for you to really get to know faculty members. These evaluations are specific and require extensive knowledge of you as a student. The factors being evaluated should also give you an idea of what programs are looking for. Note that it is more about your ability to learn, than your specific knowledge in the field (which only had 1 question). 

For this assignment, provide me with your 3 references and an information sheet for ONE of those references. IF you have one confirmed (someone you have asked and they have said yes, indicate that in the assignment). The assignment is NOT to run around asking people to be your references. It is to think about who COULD be your references, and why, and to start the process of securing those references.

Bring this to class.

Explore!

Recommendation Letters for Grad School 

Sources of Letters of Rec 


Week 4: Personal Statement

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:04 PM | 0 Comments

"It may have been scary at times but this class has done so much to help me get prepared for graduate school and the application process. Before taking this class, I honestly had little confidence in getting into a graduate program, but now I feel that I have the right tools and information to submit quality applications and have much more confidence that I will be accepted into a graduate program."

Read APA Ch 6

This is an essay you are often required to write to apply for graduate school. Even if you are not planning on going on to graduate school, this is still good practice, and you are required to do it. Personal statements are notoriously difficult, and uncomfortable to write. You may find it helpful to look up a school you are interested in (from your list in an earlier assignment), go to their webpages and find out what the requirements are for writing the personal statement. Some schools have specific questions to address. Others do not. The personal statement communicates your interest in the program, your skills, abilities, academic experiences, and personal characteristics that demonstrate that you can be successful at the graduate level. You will also include (usually in a concluding paragraph) some indication of who you want to work with in that program. 
Some tips:
DO NOT waste time telling them how great their program is--they already think so.  It comes across as brown-nosy, and worse, wastes valuable space where you can and should be talking about YOU. 
Talking about personal experiences helpfully illustrate a point, or make you memorable. But remember, you want to be memorable-good, not memorable-weird.
DO NOT highlight or overly emphasize weaknesses, unless you really think you have some 'splainin' to do. You partied too hard freshman and sophomore year and that's why your gpa isn't great? Don't include it. You were in a major car accident and had to withdraw from courses, prioritize, grow up and work hard? Include that. 
DO NOT sell yourself short by using weak adjectives or being self-deprecating. Remember our first assignment? What do those adjectives say about you? How can you use them to highlight your skills and abilities?

Really, PLEASE, banish the following phrases from your writing: I believe, I feel, and I think. They are weak phrases. Be bold, say I AM.

You may find this link helpful: http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm  it's not about psychology personal statements, but much of it applies.

and here

Your personal statement should be about 500 words. If you think you will be applying to mental health counseling programs or social work programs, they will typically have specific questions for your to answer, and so you should choose one of those schools and use their questions as the basis for this assignment. If you are applying to business school, law school, medical school, follow the essay instructions for one of those and submit that.

Explore!

Week 5: Faculty Meeting

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:05 PM | 0 Comments

"I was not expecting this class to be so informative or to learn so much."

Please meet with one more faculty member (not your adviser). Talk about anything you want, grad school, jobs, vitas, RAing and TAing opportunities, anything. This is about getting comfortable about having these important professional interactions, and working to secure additional references. 

Bring a reflection of this experience to class. 

Week 5: Career Services

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:05 PM | 0 Comments
"Something else that meant a lot to me with this class was the fact that it demonstrated that going to grad school isn't the only option."

Read L's Chapter 10

Now to transition into exploring options for getting a job with your BA.
Go to the Career Services website http://www.uni.edu/careerservices/  
in particular click on 'employability' there are many links on that page that you should read, review, and participate in. Browse extensively. Take the careers quizzes, etc. 
review these links for some additional info:

"I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why" -

"Grammatically Challenged"

Amy Cuddy-Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

More on Cuddy

Public Speaking

https://www.facebook.com/groups/100788650025280/ check out a question I posed the group about people who have non-psych jobs, but where they feel/know they use their degree everyday

Bring a reflection on this assignment to class.

Explore!

Week 5: Resume & References for Jobs

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:06 PM | 0 Comments

"This class has made me more nervous, but more importantly excited for the future ahead of me!"

Read L's Chapter 9

Unlike vitas which can (and should) be boring in terms of format, resumes should be eye catching, professional, and document your work experiences (paid and unpaid), volunteer, internships, and community service, as well as skills (languages, software, certifications). They should only be 1 page long. There is some debate on whether you should include literally all work experience, or whether you can omit some if it is not related to the job you are applying for. If you truly have space considerations, you can delete non-relevant employment; but I'd encourage you to maintain a complete lifetime resume that has all of your work history on it. Edit this as necessary for specific applications.

Even when people carefully craft their resumes, there are still common errors I see. Here are some of them:
Each section should have the entries listed in reverse chronological order (most recent things first).
Each job should include your title, the business name, city, state, and duties, and dates of employment
Even though the assignment says only 1 page, I still regularly get resumes that are, um, longer than one page! Gotta get it down to one page. One way is to use .5 inch margins all the way around, and effectively use formatting. Trust me. Even if you have had a lot of employment, it's possible (and necessary).

So create or update your resume.

Next, you will provide the names, titles/positions of 3 people you think will be your references for jobs.  It is possible that some of these people will overlap with someone on your vita and that is okay. References can be supervisors in work settings (managers/bosses/supervisors). References should not be family members, relatives, or personal friends. Normally, you do not put references on a resume without express permission from the person. However, given that this is an assignment, you made do so.  However, if putting the references on your resume makes it be longer than one page, then simply put 'references available upon request' at the bottom, centered (and for the purposes of this assignment, include these three references in the email, not on the resume in this case). 

Keep in mind, that a goal for you is that by the end of this course that you have confirmed one reference for your resume. How do you confirm references? In other words, how do you ask people to be a reference? For a job, it might be a bit easier. If you are a server, cashier, or other type of employee, you usually can get ask your supervisor, manager, or boss, if it is ok to put them on your resume. 

For this assignment, provide me with your 3 references. IF you have one confirmed (someone you have asked and they have said yes, indicate that in the assignment). The assignment is NOT to run around asking people to be your references. It is to think about who COULD be your references, and why, and to start the process of securing those references.


Create or update your resume. 

Bring your resume and 3 refs to class.

Explore!

(and check out the links in the vita assignment too)
The career services page also has resume tips
Google 'graphic design resumes'--given their discipline area they have a much wider range of 'acceptable' resume styles than we do in psychology...but you still might find some cool ideas

Week 6: 10 Jobs & Cover Letter

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:07 PM | 0 Comments

"This 
course has done so much more for me than I ever thought was possible."

Read L's Chapter 8

Browse and find 10 job prospects that you could reasonably apply for (ASSUME you have your BA; or that you are applying the semester that you graduate). DO NOT list jobs that you do not have the qualifications for (beyond the assumption that you have your BA). Check the course resources tab for locations to start hunting for jobs.


APS Employment Network -

PsycCareers (APA) -

Jobs with the State of Iowa -

Jobs with the Federal Government -

Employment at Lutheran Services in Iowa (click on employment opportunities on right) -

Four Oaks- employment and volunteer opportunities -

Jobs at UNI -

www.monster.com -

National Criminal Justice Association - 

Department of Corrections 1 2  4 5 6

You should include the job title, job location, and a brief description of why you believe you qualify. Bring to class.

Next, choose ONE of these jobs you selected and write a professional cover letter as if you were applying for that job. Bring to class.

Explore!

What You Need to Ask at Every Interview

Jobs That Pay You to Travel

What the Fuck Am I Going to Do After College? 14 Ways to Avoid Dying in a Cubicle

UNI Career Services -

Linda Walsh's resource pages -

"I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why" -

"Grammatically Challenged"

UNI Career Fair 


Week 7: Psych Alumni Jobs

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:08 PM | 0 Comments

"I thought I had just about everything figured out with what I needed to accomplish by the time I graduated and what I wanted to do with my life and the steps to get there. I was surprised by how much I had overlooked or never even thought was of."

For this assignment, I want you to browse real UNI Psychology Alumni Jobs (links at the bottom of this post; check also the FB Alumni page; and you can click on the speaker series links on the course resources page). These are real, live students, who went through the same program as you, and have the same degree that you will have. Please write up a reflection on this experience and bring to class.

Explore!

APS Student Caucus -

Psi Chi -

Council for Accreditation of Counseling Programs -

American Psychological Association -

Association for Psychological Science -

National Association of Social Workers -

 UNI Psychology Department Alumni Workplaces

UNI Psychology Dept Alumni Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/100788650025280/

BEAUTY: http://bbeautytoday.wix.com/beauty
Real Moms of Eastern Iowa Blog: http://www.stlukescrblogs.com/

Teocalli Treatment Options http://www.teocallitreatmentoptions.com/default.html

gravitytank http://vimeo.com/36145246

Clearbrook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6ZK3qmgSmU&feature=youtu.be

PDRI http://www.pdri.com/

State University of Florida Board of Governors http://www.flbog.edu/

Leo A. Hoffmann Center http://www.hoffmanncenter.org/ -

Rochester Community College http://www.rctc.edu/

Kenyon College http://www.kenyon.edu/directories/campus-directory/biography/katherine-corker/

Children and Families of Iowa http://www.cfiowa.org/

Integrity Living Options http://www.integrityliving.com/

MedCenter Rehab http://medcenterrehab.com/

The Ohio State University Newark http://newark.osu.edu

The University of Dubuque http://www.dbq.edu/

Northwestern Mental Health Center http://www.nwmhc.org/

Pech, Hughes, & McDonald, PC http://www.phmlawoffice.com

Central Minnesota Mental Health Center http://www.cmmhc.org/

Teocallin Treatment Options http://www.teocallitreatmentoptions.com/

Trial Behavior Consulting http://www.trialbehavior.com/

Prairie Pride School District http://www.prairiepride.org/

Hawkeye Community College http://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/

John Deere http://www.deere.com/globalhome/deerecom/global_home.page

Murray, Wilson, Rose Counseling and Behavioral Services http://www.mwrcounseling.com/

Winter Therapy Services http://www.wintertherapyservices.com/

Rockwell Collins http://rockwellcollins.com/

Forcier Law Office http://www.cedarvalleylawyers.com/

Williams Interactive https://www.sginteractive.com/

Iowa City School District http://www.iowacityschools.org/pages/ICCSD

Eldora State Training School for Boys http://dhs.iowa.gov/mhds/mental-health/in-patient/juvenile-facilities/eldora

Memorial Hospital http://www.mhchester.com/physicians_scott_hinze.html

NASPA http://www.naspa.org/

EMBARC http://www.embarciowa.org/

Starmont Community School District http://www.starmont.k12.ia.us/

Chevron http://www.chevron.com/

Whole Foods http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Hupp Electric Motors http://hupp-electric.com/

First Judicial District, Department of Corrections http://www.firstdcs.com/

Week 7: Professional Interview

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:09 PM | 0 Comments

"This course has challenged me to learn more about myself, the options I have when I graduate, and how to get there."

For this assignment,  I want you to conduct a professional interview (sometimes called an informational interview). This is NOT a mock interview that prepares you to be interviewed for jobs. (The career services website has some information on this type of interview, as well as the professional interview). The professional is a situation where YOU interview someone who is in a profession that you think you are interested in. Basically, an opportunity to ask them all sorts of questions about their schooling, and current job. You can interview a family member, or friend who has that career, you can interview a relevant faculty member (if you want to be a professor in that area), you can arrange a phone interview with connections on LinkedIn or on the facebook alumni page, or you can google around and email someone to arrange an interview. You should discuss with them what got them interested in their careers, what schooling they completed and what their day to day life is like. Write an essay about this experience and bring to class.

Explore!

Try googling 'a day in the life of...' (and put any type of job you are interested in)...you will find that you get interesting links that are about the day to day lives of people in that field



Week 8: Timeline

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:09 PM | 0 Comments

Image result for motivation to succeed

"This course was extremely eye opening for me because it helped me better understand the opportunities I have with my psychology degree as well as what direction I would like to follow with my degree."

Create a timeline for the tasks you want to complete from now until graduation. If you are graduating this year, your timeline may be weekly or monthly. If you are 'younger' your timeline might be monthly or semester-ly. You should include deadline driven tasks (scheduling the gre, gre test date, job fair, application for graduation), and other more general activities (decide on graduate programs, register for summer classes, etc). 

Bring to class.

Explore!

Avoid Procrastination

Week 8: Reflection

By maclink on January 3, 2016 2:10 PM | 0 Comments

"I didn't know how much work this class was actually going to be, but I am glad it was a required course because to be perfectly honest I wouldn't have taken it. I think it is very helpful in preparing students for the future. It did a good job preparing me."

You are almost there...

This reflection paper should probably be about 2-4 pages long and reflect your experience in the course. It's not really a course evaluation (though I suspect that by virtue of reflecting on your experience, you may also be evaluating the course)..but I really want you to focus on what you came in knowing (or not knowing), what you expected, what you got out of it, what you understand about what you need to do between now and graduation, some sort of expression of what you understand your career goals to be now that you've gone through this experience. In the event that you are still not sure, or, that now that you know of so many possibilities, it seems even harder to make a decision, feel free to review the Explore! links below for some other options that aren't strictly job related, and are not going to graduate school...You never know if one of these will set you on your road!

....sort of separate from that formal reflection, I would appreciate a brief blurb (separate or at the bottom of your reflection) where you give me any ideas for improvement of the course. Please do tell me what content needs more or less attention, any content that was completely missed that you think should be included, or any other ideas you have...

And congratulations, you did it!!

Bring to class.

Explore!

The Best Commencement Speeches Ever

Peace Corps 

Cr0ss Cultural Solutions 

Four Hour Work Week

Projects Abroad 

Americorps

Military Careers

Religious Service 

Life After College

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