What can I do with my Psych Degree? What do you want to do? Cindy Mancuso M.Ed., c.o. Career Counselor/Diversity Advisor McGill Career Planning Service (CaPS)

What CaPS has to offer JOB OPPORTUNITIES CAPS job listings database for full-time, and part-time jobs and internships at On-campus recruitment in fall and winter com com CAREER EDUCATION Individual advising Workshops Career resource centre Website Mentor program PACE program Job finding club Various Career Weeks

Potential employment paths right after graduation directly related to your Psychology degree Volunteer coordinator Crisis intervention worker Geriatric Aid Youth care worker Educator/shadow Group home worker Academic advisor Corrections officer Job analyst Human resource assistant Research assistant

Common educational paths for Psychology majors Clinical psychology Counseling psychology Criminology/ Forensics Social Work Law school Med School Human resources certificate/diploma Communications Occupational therapy Nursing MBA

Alternative career titles Based on your interests & skills Marketing manager Entrepreneur/Business developer Media coordinator Technical writer Copy editor Program Coordinator Retail manager Public relations officer Reporter Advertising assistant Financial advisor

Employer Categories Directly related to Psych Hospitals/CLSC/clinics Community organizations School boards (elementary & high school) Universities/Cegeps Large companies with EAP programs Government/NGO’s Research firms/labs Cultural organizations Correctional facilities Placement agencies Volunteer agencies Alternatives (indirectly or not related to psych) Newspapers Banks Insurance companies Publishing firms Public relations & Advertising Firms Management consulting firms Media High tech companies Magazines

Step-by-step guide to finding the work you love Self-assessment (Now) Who am I? What am I passionate about? Explore options (Now) Where ca I use my skills and education? Engage in new experiences/develop new skills (Now) Volunteering/internships Target organizations, industries, causes (3 rd year) Who/what would I like to work for? Find a career related position (3 rd year)Network (3 rd year – should be on- going) Developing interpersonal and communication skills Create a strong CV & cover letter and develop good interview skills (CV – 1 st year – Cover letter when jobs come up) Identify your barriers (2 nd & 3 rd year) What obstacles might get in the way of my goals and how can I overcome them?

Self-Assessment helping you to find direction Skills: Hard skills & soft skills What are your transferable skills? Values: Work values & life values i.e. wanting to help others Interests: work interests & life interests i.e. interested in the arts Achievements What are you proud of?

Explore your options Find out what jobs exist out there Talk to people Do research on the internet: Information interviews Internships/volunteer

Best strategies to use to get hired or get accepted into grad school Know what you have to offer: – Your interests (do some soul-searching) – Your skills (technical & transferable) – Be able to express them in your CV, cover letter, and at an interview Research the employers/schools to find out what they are looking for Make the match between your skills and their needs Network, network, network

What are employers looking for? You! Someone who knows who they are and what they want University education Technical skills Transferable skills: – Communication skills – Leaderships skills – Teamwork/good work ethic – Adaptability/reliability/autonomy The complete package

Researching employers All successful job searches are based on extensive research on the career area, the industry and on specific employers in which you are interested Your Goals: – Figure out the fit between your skills and interests and goals and available fields of employment – Research the employer before you establish contact Set up a timeline with specific goals and deadlines

Research: First Step – Start looking Web and Print CaPS resource centre Books & directories Websites List of websites from CAPS Company sites Public Events Career Fairs Company presentations Panel discussions

Research: Second Step – Conduct information interviews What is an information interview? – A meeting with a person who works for an organization or interest to you, or who has the kind of mob you are looking for – The goal of the meeting is: Find out as much information about the company/position as possible Communicate your skills and interests Obtain additional contact/people in similar positions in other companies

Network, network, network Develop a networking mindset: – Be curious, social and open- minded, overcome shyness – Schmooze with people you like, be genuine – Find similarities & interests – Work on your interpersonal skills – Start with family, friends, communities, school, career fairs, company presentations, panels…

Finally: Increase your marketability Extracurricular Activities Take a leadership role in any club, sport or students association Volunteer Work Participate in any volunteer or political association that interests you Career-related Work Get a paid or unpaid job or internship in a career- related field – part-time or summer