Majoring in Psychology

Jeffrey L. Helms is Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Helms, a licensed psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association, currently maintains a small private consulting practice that focuses on executive coaching and organizational, academic, and forensic consultation.Daniel T. Rogers is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Rogers is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Personality Assessment.

• List of Boxes xviiiList of Tables xxiPreface xxiiAcknowledgments xxivAbout the Website xxviPart I Majoring in Psychology 11 Why Major in Psychology? 3Introduction 3How to Use this Book 6Why Major in Psychology? 6Suggested Exercises 13Suggested Readings by Topic Area 14References 142 Succeeding in College: Transitions, Strategies, and Resources 15Introduction 15The Experience of Adjusting to College 17Academic Strategies 23Campus Resources 30Conclusion 33Suggested Exercises 33Suggested Readings 34References 343 Succeeding in the Psychology Major: Adjustments, Common Difficulties, and Strategies 38Introduction 38The Nature of Academic Work in the Psychology Major 40Common Challenges for Psychology Majors 43Strategies for Success 49Conclusion 54Suggested Exercises 54Suggested Readings 55Resources 55References 564 Assessing and Developing Career Goals 57Introduction 57The Nature and Value of Career Goal Setting 59Assessing Self and Developing Life Goals 64Assessing Self and Developing Career Goals 66Assessing Self and Developing Educational Goals 69Conclusion 73Suggested Exercises 73Suggested Readings 74References 745 Using your Bachelor’s Degree: Preparing for the Job Market 76Introduction 76Work Settings of Recent Graduates 77What Employers Want from Applicants for Entry]Level Positions 79How to Develop What Employers Want 82Finding Entry]Level Positions 85Preparing Job Application Materials: Résumés and Cover Letters 87Preparing for and Completing Job Interviews and Considering Offers 93Starting Salaries 97Suggested Exercises 98Resources 99References 1006 The Preprofessional Degree: Preparing for Graduate School 102Introduction 102Is Graduate School Right for You? 103Course Selection 104Grades and Grade Point Average 110Research Experience 111Internships, Field Practica, and Work Experience 113Mentoring 114Getting Involved in Professional Organizations 115Getting Involved on Campus 116Community Service and Extracurricular Activities 118Suggested Exercises 118Suggested Readings 120Resources 120References 1217 The Preprofessional Degree: Applying to Graduate School 122Introduction 122The Subfields of Psychology 122Deciding on the Type of Graduate Education 127Finding Available Graduate Programs 132Evaluating the Graduate Programs You Find 133Selecting Programs to Pursue 146Preparing Vitae – An Essential Part of Your Application Packet 147Statements of Intent and Admissions Essays 152Letters of Recommendation 153The Graduate School Application Packet 156Interviewing 156Making Your Decision 159Plan B: What if I Don't Get In? 16110 Tips from a Successful Applicant: Laura L. Mayhew 162Suggested Exercises 165Suggested Readings 165Resources 165References 166Part II The Subfields of Psychology 1698 Careers in Research: Experimental, Developmental, Social, Cognitive, and Biopsychology 171Introduction 171Defining the Subfields 172The Work 180Training and Preparation 184Working in Research]Related Areas with a Bachelor's Degree 186An Insider's Perspective: Testing the Waters: Marie Balaban, PhD 188Professional Spotlight: Cynthia L. Pickett, PhD 190Suggested Exercises 191Suggested Readings by Topic Area 191Resources by Topic Area 192References 1939 Careers in Industrial and Organizational Psychology 194Introduction 194Defining the Subfield 195The Work 200Training and Preparation 204Working in Areas Related to I/O Psychology with a Bachelor's Degree 209An Insider's Perspective: The Flexibility of the Doctoral Degree in I/O Psychology: Russell E. Johnson, PhD 211Professional Spotlight: John Chan, PhD 213Suggested Exercises 214Suggested Readings 215Resources 215References 21510 Careers in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology 217Introduction 217Defining the Subfields 218The Work 219Training and Preparation 231Working in Areas Related to Clinical or Counseling Psychology with a Bachelor's Degree 241An Insider's Perspective: A Science of Heart and Mind: Robert McGrath, PhD 243Professional Spotlight: Kimberlyn Leary, PhD, ABPP 244Suggested Exercises 245Suggested Readings by Topic Area 246Resources 246References 24611 Careers in Educational and School Psychology 248Introduction 248Defining the Subfields 249The Work 251Training and Preparation 256Working in Areas Related to Educational and School Psychology with a Bachelor's Degree 260An Insider's Perspective: The Science of People: A Career in School Psychology: William Pfohl, PsyD, NCSP 261Professional Spotlight: Rebecca S. Martínez, PhD, NCSP 263Suggested Exercises 264Suggested Readings by Topic Area 264Resources 265References 26512 Careers in Exercise and Sport Psychology 266Exercise and Sport Psychology Defined 266The Work 267Training and Preparation 271Working in Areas Related to Exercise and Sport Psychology with a Bachelor's Degree 275An Insider's Perspective: A Counseling Sport Psychologist's Journey: Reflections and Observations: Christopher M. Carr, PhD 276Professional Spotlight: Kate F. Hays, PhD 278Suggested Exercises 280Suggested Readings 280Resources 280References 28113 Careers in Health Psychology 283Health Psychology Defined 283The Work 284Training and Preparation 289Working in Areas Related to Health Psychology with a Bachelor's Degree 291An Insider's Perspective: Health Psychology and Culture: An Exciting Area of Study: Regan A. R. Gurung, PhD 292Professional Spotlight: Chris Dunkel Schetter, PhD 294Suggested Exercises 295Suggested Readings 296Resources 296References 29714 Careers in Neuropsychology 298Neuropsychology Defined 298The Work 299Training and Preparation 304Working in Areas Related to Neuropsychology with a Bachelor's Degree 306An Insider's Perspective: Clinical Neuropsychology – Expanding our Borders: Maria T. Schultheis, PhD 308Professional Spotlight: Antonio E. Puente, PhD 310Suggested Exercises 312Suggested Readings 312Resources 313References 31315 Careers in Forensic Psychology 315Forensic Psychology Defined 315Contributions to the Discipline of Psychology 316Core Activities of the Forensic Psychologist 318Training Required to be a Forensic Psychologist 323Forensic Psychology Training Programs 324Preparing for Graduate Training in Forensic Psychology 325Employment in the Forensic Psychology Subfield 327Working in Areas Related to Forensic Psychology with a Bachelor's Degree 330An Insider's Perspective: Why Become a Forensic Psychologist?: Matthew T. Huss 333Professional Spotlight: Gina M. Vincent, PhD 334Suggested Exercises 336Suggested Readings 336Resources 337References 33716 Careers in Academe 339Academe Defined 339Employment Settings 339Professorial Activities 341Working Conditions 345Educational Degree and Training Needed 348Rank 349Salaries 351Finding Employment 352You Don't Just Get to Stay! 353Working in the Teaching Area with a Bachelor's Degree 354An Insider's Perspective: Being an Academic Psychologist: A Great Career Choice: Randolph A. Smith, PhD 355Professional Spotlight: Janie H. Wilson, PhD 357Suggested Exercises 358Suggested Readings 359Resources 359References 36017 Assessing the Career Outlook for the Psychology Major 361Introduction 361Psychology's Strengths 362Psychology's Weaknesses 364Psychology's Threats 365Psychology's Opportunities 367Conclusion 369References 369Index 371