SUCCEED IN THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Presentation by: Michele McNerney, UPA Community Service Coordinator 2008-2009

Topics well cover: The WHAT, WHY, and HOW of

Undergraduate Research Internships Volunteer Exploring career possibilities Writing a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) Study Abroad Teaching Assistant

Continued

Psi Chi Attending Conferences (e.g. EPA) Psychology Dept. Honors Program McNair Scholar Program Undergraduate Psychology Association (UPA)

Undergraduate Research

WHAT: WHY:
Gain

Participating

in a Research Lab as an Undergraduate Research Assistant (RA)

HOW:
Look

experience and knowledge about the research process Build professional relationships that may be good sources for recommendation letters through the list of Research Labs (online or outside Christas office) or attend the Research Lab Fair in the Psychology Department What interests you? Contact the professor or lab manager to find out how to get involved in the lab

Undergraduate Research cont.

Once you are accepted into a research lab:

Go

to Christas Office (Park 283) to get a Special Registration Form PSY 498 (Undergrad. Research) Typically 3 credits/semester

Internships

WHAT:
Experience

and training in a career path you might be interested in pursuing A real-world experience and learning opportunity that you cant get from class or textbooks

WHY:
Explore

career options that interest you and develop skills that will serve you throughout your entire career Build your resume Obtain outstanding letters of recommendation for jobs or graduate/professional schools

Internships cont.

HOW:
Look

for internships that might be interesting to you

http://psychology.buffalo.edu/undergraduate/honor-society/

resources/ (Internship & Volunteer Opportunities)

Contact
(716)

the Cora P Maloney College to find out how to earn course credit
645-7301 255 Capen Hall

Volunteer

WHAT:
Devoting

your time to something without getting paid

WHY:
Promote

a cause, helps others, gain experience, meet new people, put on your resume, etc.

HOW:
Many

clubs on campus have volunteer opportunities Search the internet for volunteer opportunities in your area and/or your home town http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/

Exploring career possibilities

WHAT:
Gaining

information about potential career paths

WHY:
To

find out what careers you would be interested in source of information about occupations:

HOW:
Great Talk
http://www.bls.gov/OCO/

to people who currently or have worked in your field of interest (informational interviews) Get an internship to get first-hand experience

Writing a Resume/Curriculum Vitae

WHAT:
Resumes

are a history of your education, experience, qualifications, etc. Curriculum Vita (also called Vita or CV) similar to a resume, but geared toward jobs in research, academia, etc.

WHY:
When

you apply for a job, internship, faculty position, etc. you will be asked to submit a resume or CV It is better to keep your resume or CV up-to-date to keep track of your experiences (responsibilities, supervisors, contact information, etc)

Writing a Resume/Curriculum Vitae

HOW:
You

can find samples/templates of resumes and CVs at the Career Services Office or online Following a model or template, type up your information (educational history, work experience, research experience, certifications, related skills, publications, volunteer work, etc) You can call Career Services (716)645-2231 to set up an appointment to get assistance http://www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/howtores.php http://www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/vita.php

Study Abroad

WHAT:
Continuing

your studies in another country

WHY:
Experience

people, places, and culture in another country while continuing your education

HOW:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/studyabroad/ Call:

(716) 645-3912 Visit: 210 Talbert Hall on UB North campus

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

WHAT:
Being

an assistant to an instructor in a class you have already taken

WHY:
Gain

teaching experience, help other students learn the material, build a closer professional relationship with the instructor (potential source for recommendation letters), earn course credit, etc. Opportunity to further develop your leadership skills and professionalism

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

HOW:
See

the University Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Information Form: http://vpue.buffalo.edu/pdfs/docs/ approved/utainfoform.pdf Each department has different requirements for teaching assistants. Check with the instructor or department you are interested in for further information regarding requirements

Psi Chi

WHAT:
National

Honor Society in Psychology

WHY:
Nationally

recognized Honor Society in Psychology, resume booster, connection with the psychology community nation-wide, awards and grants available you meet the requirements, fill out the application and turn it in by the deadline

HOW:
If

Psi Chi UB Chapter

Requirements
Completion

of PSY 101, PSY 207 & PSY 250 Current Psychology major Psychology GPA: 3.4 or better Cumulative GPA: 3.1 or better Top 35% of class

See the website for more details

http://psychology.buffalo.edu/undergraduate/honor-

society/ You may contact the officers for more information

Attending Conferences

WHAT:
Attend

or present at a professional conference (like EPAEastern Psychological Association) to talks from professionals in psychology about the current research, network with faculty, present a poster

WHY:
Listen

HOW:
Locate

a conference in your area of interest (internet) Pay the registration fee (usually included in a membership fee) and register for the event

Psychology Honors Program

WHAT:
A

year long program involving the development and execution of an original research project under faculty supervision

WHY:
Graduate

with honors First-hand experience conducting research Very appealing to any graduate program or employer Great preparation for grad school Chance to earn the Feldman-Cohen award for Distinguished Honors achievement

Psychology Honors Program

How:
Requirements
Junior

or Senior, Psychology major status 3.0 GPA (overall and Psychology)

Line

up a faculty mentor who is willing to work with you on an honors project (do this during your sophomore or junior year) See Christa Greenberg in Park 283 for more information

McNair Scholars Program

WHAT:
A

Federally funded program (Department of Education) for low-income AND first generation college students OR students historically underrepresented in higher education designed to prepare students for admission to a doctoral program school preparation, leadership opportunities and skill building, research internships, scholarships, grad school fee waivers, GRE preparation, laptop loans, support network, etc.

WHY:
Graduate

McNair Scholar Program

HOW:
Visit Visit Call
(716)

the website for more information: the office

Norton Hall 645-5478

http://ubetc.org/mcnairscholars

220

Undergraduate Psychology Association

WHAT:
Student

Association Academic Club

WHY:
Meet

other Psychology majors/intended majors, participate in fun activities and events, network within the department, meet new people with similar interests, grad school preparation workshops, put on your resume (extracurricular or leadership), etc. to meetings or office hours, attend events, run for an officer position

HOW:
Come

Questions?
http://psychology.buffalo.edu/undergraduate/upa/ 212 Park Hall (UPA Office)