Non-Academic Career Webinar

I recently “attended” a virtual training course on Transitioning into a Non-Academic Career sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Science. The talk was given by Dr. Josh Henkin and he outlined the kinds of preparation and professional development is useful for non-academic careers. Here’s a recap for you:

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Phone/Skype Interviews – Jobs Edition

One of the most common questions I get is how to prepare for virtual interviews (i.e. Skype or phone interviews). It can be really nerve-wracking to interview with someone you’ve never met before as is, but add ever-failing technology and you’ve got a recipe for potential awkward moments. To give some background, usually video-chat or phone interviews are conducted as a first-round interview to see if the candidate is a good fit for the company. Some job interviews will then use this first-round of interviews as a weeding out process to choose who they want to bring in for an in-person interview. Needless to say, it’s really important to make a good impression during your first set of interviews, and here are my tips for tackling these pesky phone and Skype interviews:

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Making the most of your summer break

As some of you know, my graduate school friends and I started a blog just a few years ago called Grad Girl. It was intended as a space where professional women working in the social sciences, social services, research or clinical positions, or anything else related to these fields could be showcased for their accomplishments and achievements. Our intent was to show the world what kinds of jobs there are out there and give a little advice along the way. Well, it turns out, blogging and website maintenance is a lot more work than we anticipated, so we had to shut down the website. But, since we had already put in so much time and effort into it, I didn’t want that precious content to go to waste. So, with the rest of the team’s permission, I will be posting all the content from that website here, for you guys. Here, we begin, with summer break tips for graduate students.Continue reading “Making the most of your summer break”

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!