Social media has been given a pretty bad rap since its conception not too long ago. Between teenagers posting ridiculous images of themselves and others, to body shaming of celebrities, to cyber bullying, the list of reasons to avoid social media is often longer than the number of reasons to continue using it.
Category Archives: The College Grad
How to…the CV
Ahh, the dreaded curriculum vitae….vita?…Latin? WHY?!…oh gosh!…either way, you know it well. It’s that nebulous document hidden somewhere in the depths of the files on your computer and you have no idea which version is the most up-to-date, what to include in it, how to write it, and ohhhhhh the formatting issues!! I’ve been there, your colleagues have been there, and we know you’ve been there too.
I’ve put together a list of suggestions and helpful hints on how to get your CV in perfect shape! But remember, it’s always a work in progress.
Writing that first job-seeking email
So, maybe you’ve graduated college and you know you need to get a job, but have no clue how to get started. Or maybe you’re a senior in college and haven’t the faintest idea where to begin looking for a job. Well, I’m here to help with one possible solution to this tragic dilemma that plagues so many of us…
One option, if you’re considering a future as a graduate student somewhere in the social sciences/humanities, is to get a job as a research assistant in a lab at a University. Now, if you’re currently attending a liberal arts college, like I did, you might be asking yourself, “Wait, what?! They actually hire people full-time to work in labs, and pay them!?” Short answer, YES! Larger universities typically demand a larger scale of research from their professors. This kind of research can often be funded by major grants or outside sources and professors often run major multi-million dollar projects off these grants. That’s where you come in. In order to successfully run these mega studies, professors need research assistants (like you!) to help them collect data, analyze data, interact with participants, code data, do data entry, the list goes on. These jobs are often full-time with a reasonable salary, and require little more than a cheery attitude, some research experience during college, and some good recommendations.
Now the question is, how do you find these jobs. Well, one way is to cold-email professors at universities who are doing research that seems interesting to you. Often undergraduates or recent college graduates have trouble knowing exactly what to say in these first emails. Here’s my version of a tutorial on what to say and why.
Here’s the draft of the email:
My name is NAME and I am currently a senior at UNIVERSITY. I am majoring in MAJOR will be graduating in DATE. I am interested in pursuing a graduate degree in FIELD and I am hoping to get more research experience over the next few years before applying to graduate school. I found on the UNIVERSITY research lab website that you are currently doing research with the TOPIC. I would love to learn more about this research! I am wondering if you have any opportunities for employment as a research assistant in you lab, and if so I would love to learn more about it and possibly set up a time for us to meet or discuss this over the phone.
Let’s break it down:
My name is NAME and I am currently a senior at UNIVERSITY. I am majoring in MAJOR will be graduating in DATE.
First, you introduce yourself, your major, and where you go to school. Remember, if you go to a smaller school, you’ll want to give the city and state just to clarify.
———
I am interested in pursuing a graduate degree in FIELD and I am hoping to get more research experience over the next few years before applying to graduate school.
Here, you are showing your interest in the field and right away you’re letting the recipient know why you’re contacting them.
———
I found on the UNIVERSITY research lab website that you are currently doing research with the TOPIC. I would love to learn more about this research!
Next, jump right into why you’re interested in the topic. You could also write something here to give it more of a personal touch, like this “I am really interested in TOPIC and EXPANDED ON TOPIC. I have a particular interest in this area for both personal and academic reasons since RELATED EXPERIENCE. I am contacting you because I am interested in potentially working in your lab after I graduate.” By showing that you have done your research and have an interest in the topic, the professor you’re contacting will know you’re serious and ready to work.
———
I am wondering if you have any opportunities for employment as a research assistant in you lab, and if so I would love to learn more about it and possibly set up a time for us to meet or discuss this over the phone.
Towards the end you should bring up why you’re contacting them exactly. Be more specific. You are looking for “employment as a research assistant.” Importantly, be open to talking with them more. This one email is not going to employ you, YOU will employ yourself by being proactive and talking with people who you admire and want to work for. If you’re close enough, set up a time to meet in person. If that’s not possible, Skype and phone calls are often a really popular way of reaching out. Don’t be afraid, tackle it at full speed.
———
I would be available starting DATE. I have attached my CV to this email for your convenience.
Last line, show them you’re serious. Give a start date and attach your CV. For more information on how to write your CV you can see mine here, or check back in a few weeks, and I’ll post some handy tips for writing your CV.
Hope this helped! Feel free to post any questions below.
How to…The Gap Year
There’s a new trend that has become increasingly popular among post-graduate students – taking a gap year between college and graduate school. The idea is that this time is for students to boost their resume before taking on graduate school full-time, and to enhance their confidence and understanding of the graduate program they are about to embark on. I took a gap year (or rather, two years) and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have compiled some information for students who are potentially interested in taking a gap year but just aren’t sure if they should or what they should do during it. Click [here] for more information or just read it below.
Disclaimer: This information is geared toward students interested in going to graduate school in developmental or clinical psychology. But again, this information would be helpful for anyone interested in graduate programs targeted at working with children.
Why take a gap year?
- If you’re unsure about what kind of graduate education you want to attend
- If you need more experience before going to the graduate school of your choosing
What should I do during the gap year?
- Get experience that is relevant to your field of interest!
- Even if it’s broad, just get some experience that’s not just coffee shop or Pizza Hut
Sure the term is “gap-year” but should it really be only one year?
- Short answer… no!
- Think about it…when you’re applying to graduate school you want to be able to USE your gap year to your benefit (i.e. get your boss to write a recommendation, talk about your responsibilities at your job)
- By the time you are ready for this information, you will only be at your job for a few months
- So… suggestion…take 2 years! No more… (3 can sometimes be okay) but definitely NOT more than that!
- HOWEVER, we are all different, and this decision should not be taken lightly…so, think about it!
Psychology-related jobs
- ABA therapist
- Quick training, working with kids, school or home setting, work based on behavioral plan that your boss creates
- Research Assistant
- At a University (larger state Universities would have these kinds of jobs)
- At a Research firm (Abt Associates, Urban Institute, ChildTrends, etc.)
- Hospital setting (usually underfunded, but research hospitals are always looking for someone)
- Working with kids with Disabilities
- Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore is a good facility for this kind of thing
- Teacher
- Pretty easy to get teaching certificates
- Even easier for preschool/daycare
- PeaceCorps, Americorps, Teach for America, CityYear, KIPP
- Great for those looking for service-related experiences
- Shadow people you think are interesting
- Just email them! People are really responsive!
- Even nannying full time would give you good experiences!
- Use resources!
- www.Apa.org
- Google it! You’ll find resources that other schools have!
How to…Graduate School Applications
Applying to graduate school can be very daunting and confusing. When I was applying, I remember asking so many people for advice about the nitty-gritty details of the whole process and I was so thankful for their generous advice. Well, I wanted to make all this valuable information public to people who are interested, so my friend and I compiled it all into a document, which you all can reach here or see if below.
Tanya Tavassolie 