PSYC 2210A
Careers in Psychology
Spring, 2004
Janice H. Kennedy, Ph.D.
Carroll Building Room 2266
2:00 - 2:50 Tu

 

OFFICE:                      Carroll 1060A

OFFICE HOURS:       10:00 – 11:00 MTW, 8:30 – 9:00 Th, or by appointment

PHONE NUMBER:     681-5504

E-MAIL ADDRESS:    jkennedy@GeorgiaSouthern.edu

WEBSITE:                    www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/~jkennedy

 

Course Description: This course familiarizes students with career options in psychology at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level; helps students clarify personal interests and career goals; and prepares them for job searching or admission to graduate school. This one-credit class is required of all psychology majors and should be taken in the sophomore year. PSYC 1101 is a prerequisite. Course objectives will be addressed through lectures, readings, in-class exercises and discussions, and guest speaker presentations.

Grades:  This course will be graded on a "pass-fail" basis:  S(atisfactory or

U)nsatisfactory). To receive a passing grade, you must complete and pass all of the course assignments. The course assignments and the criteria for passing each of them are described below:

Class attendance/participation: Attendance at all class meetings is expected; two absences are allowed. Students who are absent on the day of an in-class exercise must submit the assignment no later than the following class meeting to receive credit for it.

Administrivia: I am very interested in your getting a lot out of this course and hope that you enjoy it as well. I will be happy to discuss questions related to the course during my office hours. If you are not free during my office hours, we can schedule a meeting at a mutually convenient time. Generally, when my office door is open, I am happy to see you. However, when my door is closed, it is a signal that I prefer not to be disturbed or am not in. I would especially appreciate not being interrupted during the half-hour before a class when I am reviewing my notes and getting ready for class.

The success of this course will depend, in great part, on everyone's participation in class and small-group discussions. If you come to class after roll has been taken, it is your responsibility to be sure that you are not marked absent. If you are absent from class, of course you are responsible for the material covered in class and should make up in-class assignments by the following class meeting.

After hand-outs have been distributed in class, I store extra copies of them in the envelope labeled "Careers in Psychology" taped to my office door. If you need another copy after a hand-out is distributed, you can get a copy of it from this envelope.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

(Note that revisions may be required due to changes in speaker presentation dates if needed.)

Week          Topic/Assignment

1-06           INTRODUCTION TO COURSE                                                     

                   What Are You Going to Do for the Rest of your Life?

                    Discussion of course goals and requirements

                    Course Goals Exercise

1-13        MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE YEARS             

Academic Planning:  Important Considerations

Course-Planning Exercise

Projected GPA Exercise

Values Exercise

1-20        EXPLORING PERSONAL INTERESTS, VALUES, AND ABILITIES

Identity Development

Gender and Career Aspirations

Holland's Model of Career Development

www.bls.gov/oco    (OOH)

www.msu.edu/unit/sassmsu/playbook/holland2.html  (HSDS)   

1-27        CAREER OPTIONS FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS                                                      

2-3          HOW DO I EXPLORE CAREERS?                                                                                               

Careers Office

2-10        Speaker

2-17        Speaker

2-24        Speaker

3-2          Speaker

3-9          HOW DO I ENHANCE MY EMPLOYABILITY?

Preparing an Effective Resume

               Preparing an Effective Cover Letter

3-16        Spring Break

3-23        Developing Your Interviewing Skills

Applying for Jobs with the State Merit System

3-30      GRADUATE SCHOOL:  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 

4-6        GRADUATE SCHOOL (continued)                                                  

4-13      Speaker

4-20      PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:  INTEGRATING COURSEWORK, CAREER GOALS, AND LIFE PLANS

Note:  Because of the nature of this course, there will be no final exam and no meeting of the class during final exam week.