The Psychology Department and the Center for Careers and Internships Present: Careers for Psychology Majors Robert Moeller, Ph.D. Mary Lothrop, M.S.

Goals Transferable skills Importance of experiential learning Making the most of the CCI resources Sampling of jobs Midd Psych majors have pursued 1

Transferable Skills: Analytic Thinking more broadly about what you are doing here at Midd Ability to analyze and synthesize data/research Understand science literature Critical thinking Conduct research –Develop systematic ways of learning answers to complex problems Developing appropriate questions Design frameworks to capture data Utilize measures, instrumentation Analyze, qualitative, quantitative data Argue from evidence 2

Transferable Skills: Quantitative Comfortable with numbers Statistics –Working with large sets of data –Determining appropriate methods of analysis –Data interpretation –Understanding of logic systems –Familiarity being unfamiliar, learning new computer software Other math/quant course work –Working with GIS data 3

Transferable Skills: Communication Ability to write is central to many careers Writing for multiple audiences –Message framing Presentation skills –Developing presentations –Learning to tell a compelling story –Incorporating data into presentations Arguing from evidence 4

Transferable Skills: Content Specific Understanding of human behavior Ability to utilize theoretical perspectives to understand thought and behavior Theories of teaching and learning Developmental perspectives Understanding of interactions Diversity exposure –Racial/ethnic, SES, ability, sexual orientation, gender 5

Transferable Skills: Liberal Arts Exposure to multiple fields Foreign language Team work Leadership Time management Handle stress Student/Athlete 6

What have other Midd psych majors done? 7 Job CategoryEmployer Education/CounselingThe Ross School Teach for America Education Outside DC Public Schools Kimball Union Academy Healthcare/MedicineMassachusetts General Hospital Truven Health Analytics Brigham & Women’s Hospital Children’s Hospital Mobius Health Inc. Mental Health ServicesNortheastern Family Institute Mount Hope Family Center University of Colorado-Denver Science/ResearchOtago University Massachusetts General Hospital Epic Systems Communications/MediaNBC TODAY Show Hearst Corporation Graduate SchoolMGH Institute of Health Professions Harvard University Columbia University, Teacher’s College University of Minnesota

8 Internship Benefits Observe the professional work environment Develop professional skills Test out a career field Build mentoring relationships with professionals Get a head start on marketing yourself & networking Learn about the day to day obligations of the professional work environment

Pre-Internship Research Questions What types of career fields are of interest to you? Of the career fields you are interested in, what skills do most of these occupations require? Do you have contacts within these fields? When do you hope to pursue the internship? 9

Internship Planning – Things To Do Create a resume & cover letter. –Ask the question ‘Why do I want to intern in this field?’ –Be sure to answer this question in your cover letter. Research companies, professions, and career fields Obtain an informational interview or job shadowing experience in career field of interest Develop MOJO & LinkedIn profiles Search MiddNet for alumni working in the field Attend alumni networking events 10

CCI Support for Internships Type Focus –Personalized career & educational planning system –Assess interests, values, personality, & leisure activities as they relate to selecting an internship or career path Finding an Internship –MOJOMOJO –Idealist.orgIdealist.org –MyWorldAbroadMyWorldAbroad Advising –Events & Workshops –Quick Questions –Individual Appointments –Practice Interviews –Resume/Cover Letter Review 11

Optimizing Competitiveness Through Hands-On Experience Goal: application of psychology-specific content & skills, effective self- reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, & career preparation. Seek out professional development opportunities to successfully demonstrate attributes employers value, such as your ability to be: 12 Adaptable Collaboration Confidence Conscientious Dependable Directed Efficient Industrious Intuitive Prepared Reflective Resilient Resourceful Responsible

Next Steps Research companies and positions where you’d like to work Conduct informational interviews with Midd Alums or other acquaintances who work in the field Create a professional LinkedIn profile Have your resume and cover letter reviewed before submitting Complete a practice interview Find opportunities to connect with people (speakers that come to campus, previous employers, etc.) Use J-terms & summers to fill in any skills gaps If possible, attend conferences in your field Time permitting, read some books or articles written by professionals in your field At any point along the way, you can stop by CCI for ‘Quick Questions’ M- F 1-3pm, or login to MOJO to schedule an appointment with me. 13

Next Steps Where are you in your process now? What things have you done to determine your interests and skills? 14

Next Steps What do you still need to find out? What are some strategies you could use to get that information? 15

Next Steps Tangible things you will do: * this month * this semester * this year 16

Questions, please! ? 17