Post Baccalaureate Careers

PSY 301Gary S. Katz, Ph.D.

GREAT RESOURCELandrum, R.E. (2009). Finding Jobs with a

Psychology Bachelor’s Degree: Expert Advice for Launching Your Career. APA: Washington, DC.

Much of the material from today’s lecture comes from this optional text.

Skills Most Desirable by Employers of Psychology GraduatesListening skillsAbility to work with

othersGetting along with

othersDesire and

willingness to learnWillingness to learn

new, important skills

Focus on customers or clients

Interpersonal relationship skills

Adaptability to changing situations

Ability to suggest solutions to problems

Problem-solving skillsLandrum & Harrold

(2003)

Five Major Categories Defined By Employers of Psychology MajorsSocial skillsPersonal skillsCommunication skillsInformation-gathering and information-

processing skillsNumerical, computer and psychometric

skills.

Typical Careers Sought By Undergraduate Psychology MajorsHolland’s Codes: RIASEC

RealisticInvestigativeArtisticSocialEnterprisingConventional

For Psychology: S-I is the predominant “type”.E is the second most predominant “type”

according to Landrum.

Holland’s SOCIAL TypeSOCIAL (S) people like social careers such as

teacher, speech therapist, religious worker, counselor, clinical psychologist and nurse. The S type usually likes to be around other people, is interested in how people get along, and likes to help other people with their problems. The S type generally likes to help, teach, and counsel people more than engage in mechanical or technical activity. The S type is described as convincing, cooperative, friendly, generous, helpful, idealistic, kind, patient, responsible, social, sympathetic, tactful, understanding, and warm.Reardon (n.d.)

Sample Early-Career (S) Positions for Psychology UndergradsUniversity relations coordinatorProgram coordinator, mental health fieldYouth CounselorService CoordinatorMental health caseworkerPsychiatric Rehabilitation PractitionerAlumni Relations Director

Enterprising CareersENTERPRISING (E) people like enterprising careers

such as buyer, sports promoter, television producer, business executive, salesperson, travel agent, supervisor, and manager. The E type usually has leadership and public speaking abilities, is interested in money and politics, and likes to influence people. The E type generally likes to persuade or direct others more than work on scientific or complicated topics. The E type is described as acquisitive, adventurous, agreeable, ambitious, attention-getting, domineering, energetic, extroverted, impulsive, optimistic, pleasure-seeking, popular, self-confident, and sociable.

Reardon (n.d.)

Five Recurring Themes from Landrum’s ResearchMany psychology undergrads mentioned that they had double

majored, added a minor, or wish they double majored. Business courses were a particular area of extra interest.

Some sort of hands-on experience (e.g., internship, research assistantship, club office) was also beneficial. Many successfully-employed post-baccalaureates made connections

outside the classroom and were able to apply book knowledge to the real world.

Empathy and compassion were necessary skills to work in the human service field.

You have to “love what you do.” In many of these professions, “it’s not about the money.” YET, these folks reap other kinds of riches.

No regrets – few folks reported wishing they had pursued a different undergraduate experience.

Advice from Successfully Employed Psychology MajorsStart working on your résumé when you are a

freshman. Don’t wait until your senior year.Do things that will make it EASY for

recommenders to write you a strong letter of recommendation.

Don’t be a loner. Develop a network of people who can help you reach your goals.

Personalize your education to fit your career goals.

Develop your specific career goals as early in your education as possible.

Advice from Successfully Employed Psychology MajorsDo some volunteer work (e.g., practicum,

internship, co-op).Develop your interpersonal skills; if you’re shy,

do everything you can to overcome your shyness.

Develop computer and statistical skills.Don’t learn things just to pass tests. Learn

things so you can apply your knowledge in the job you want to obtain.

Learn to become an articulate and persuasive writer and speaker.

Advice from Successfully Employed Psychology MajorsGet involved in extracurricular activities. Find

leadership positions there.Learn how to deal with stress and manage your

time.Demonstrate to people that you are enthusiastic

and motivated.Don’t expect to have a good job “fall in your lap”

– this takes perseverance, hard work, and planning.

Realize that you need to deal with people in the real world who may be very different from you.

Five Best Ways to Look For A JobDo a life-changing job hunt.

Do your homework on yourself first.Determine the environment in which you are your best.Choose a strategy for getting where you want to go.

Band together, form a job club, and scour the Yellow Pages for local fields of interest and call employers. Ask if they are hiring.

On your own, scour the Yellow Pages for local fields of interest and call employers.

Knock on doors of employers that interest you.Ask for job leads from folks in your personal and social

network.Bolles (2009)

Five Worst Ways to Look For A JobSearch the internet.Mail out résumés to employers at random.Answer ads in trade or professional journals.Newspaper ads.Private employment agencies.

Caveat – when it does work, it tends to work better for women than for men.

Bolles (2009)

The first step – a good cover letterWhat to include:

Address your letter to a PERSON, not a title.Tailor your letter to the specific

job/corporation/position. Make it look like you’ve done your research!

Cut to the chase, be succinct.Balance the professional with the personal.Ask for the next step in the process (interview)

without apology or arrogance.

Yate (1992)

The Next Step: RésuméDO:

Bullet-point your accomplishments.Be clear, succinct.Emphasize outcomes and achievements, not activities.Use specific quantities (e.g., dollar amounts in contracts

earned)Put the strongest statements at the top of each paragraph.Include community and volunteer work if it:

Shows something about you and/or Fills a gap

PROOFREAD!Mention any publications or affiliations, if relevant.Prepare separate digital and paper versions.

Bennett (2005); Jackson (2004)

The Next Step: RésuméDON’T:

Make stuff up.Use a template; they look like templates.Include personal information (e.g., gender, age,

height, weight, race…).Include a photograph.Include salary information.Use jargon or buzzwords unnecessarily.Count on your spell-checker.Leave a silly outgoing message on your answering

machine and/or have a silly or inappropriate EMAIL address.

Bennett (2005); Jackson (2004)

Almost done… the interviewDress for success; don’t look too informal or too formal.ALWAYS go to the interview alone.Find common ground between you, the employer, and – if

possible – the interviewer.Express your interest in the job based upon your

homework you’ve done on the company.Answer questions in a clear and positive manner.Allow the interviewer to direct the interview.Let the employer lead the conversation toward salary and

benefits.Ask when you can expect to hear a decision.Thank the employer for the interview and follow up with a

thank-you note.

Once employed…Continue to grow, continue to learn.Network!Look for opportunities for advancement.

ENJOY WHAT YOU DO.