Just for Psychology Majors!
Book review by Susan Hawke,
Associate Librarian
Psychology is one of North America’s most popular academic majors. Thousands of students graduate every year with psychology as an undergraduate degree. What happens to these people? Where do they go? What do they do? A small percentage of graduates continue on to graduate school while the majority enter the labour market. Regardless of which category you fall into, the American Psychology Association has published a book for you!
Finding Jobs with a Psychology Bachelor’s Degree by R. Eric Landrum is a great resource for those choosing to enter the workforce. It is packed with tips on the job hunting process. However, perhaps its greatest strength is the 28 profiles it provides of people who found jobs and career satisfaction with their bachelor’s degree in psychology. By reading the profiles, one is made aware of the diversity of jobs available. You can do more than you might think with just an undergraduate degree! As well, the reader will gain insight from questions asked to those being interviewed. Queries such as, if you were choosing a career/occupation all over again, what if anything would you do differently? Or, what undergraduate activities, outside of class, were key to success in your type of career? The author delivers on his promise to give as much “bang for the buck” as possible.
What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) Be Doing by Silvia, Delaney and Marcovitch is a wonderful find for those wanting to pursue graduate study. It is no secret that it is an extremely competitive process. Most students who contemplate graduate school have a good GPA. This book addresses what other activities prospective graduate school students could and should be involved in to enhance their application. It covers topics such as getting involved in research, developing writing skills, attending conferences, joining professional associations and presenting your research. Many of these activities involve getting out of the classroom and actively seeking opportunities. Building writing, speaking and thinking skills, demonstrating initiative and interacting with professionals are all discussed in a very easy-to-read, light-hearted tone.
These two books, along with many others related to careers in psychology are available for loan from the Career Resource Centre (H-440). Visit us soon and explore your options.
