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Psychology Question

Post ID: 3556104

Psychology Question

Develop a professional resume that aligns with your individual goals and highlights your qualifications.

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Introduction

As you near the end of your undergraduate experience, it is so important to start preparing for the next chapter—whether you're applying to graduate school, seeking employment in a psychology-related field, or exploring opportunities in other areas where your psychology background is helpful.

In this assessment, you will develop a professional resume that aligns with your individual goals and highlights your qualifications. This assessment is a chance to reflect on your academic journey, relevant experiences, and the skills you've developed throughout your psychology studies and related activities. This will also be your first step in formulating a larger career plan.

Note: The course assessments build upon one another and should be completed in sequence.

Preparation

If you haven’t already, using a job search site such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, or O*NET, select a job opening that sounds interesting to you, aligns with your career goals, and involves psychology. Even if you’re planning to attend graduate school first, you’ll eventually be applying for jobs—this exercise provides valuable practice in resume writing and preparing for the job search process.

Instructions

Write or update your resume to reflect the required knowledge, skills, and abilities mentioned in the job opening. Be sure your resume describes your current education, skills, knowledge, and experience, and how they are relevant to your selected job opening and the field of psychology.

Choose a resume format:

  • Use a clean, professional format (you may use a template, but make sure it's easy to read and not overly stylized).
  • Stick to 1–2 pages maximum if you have extensive relevant experience.

Your resume should include the following sections, as applicable:

  • Contact Information (name, e-mail, phone number, LinkedIn).
  • Objective or Summary Statement (tailored to your career goal related to the field of psychology).
  • Education (include your degree(s), university, expected graduation date, GPA if 3.0 or higher).
  • Relevant Experience (internships, jobs, volunteer work, research experience, etc.).
  • Skills (technical, research, communication, languages, software, etc.).
  • Certifications/Training (CPR, Mental Health First Aid, CITI training, etc.).
  • Honors and Activities (Dean’s List, Psi Chi, leadership roles, etc.).

Customize your resume:

  • Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible (e.g., “Led weekly support groups for 10+ residents”).
  • Tailor your resume to a specific audience: Are you applying for a job in human services? A research lab? Highlight the experiences and skills that match your goal.
  • Avoid generic descriptions—show how your experiences connect to psychology.

Formatting tips:

  • Use consistent font styles and sizes (Times New Roman, 12 pt.).
  • Use bullet points for descriptions (not paragraphs).
  • Avoid personal pronouns (e.g., I, me, my).
  • Proofread carefully—no typos or grammatical errors.

Remember to consult the scoring rubric to make sure you cover all that will be assessed.

Submission Requirements

  • Written communication: Written communication is professional with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
  • Length: 1–2 double-spaced typed pages.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 points.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 4: Apply psychology specific content to effective self reflection, project management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.
    • Describe current skills and knowledge, including how they are relevant to the field of psychology.
    • Describe experience and awards, including how those are relevant to the field of psychology.
    • Describe career objectives as they relate to the field of psychology.
  • Competency 5: Communicate effectively with diverse recipients in a manner consistent with expectations for psychology professionals.
    • Write a resume appropriate for a specific job.
    • Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.

    • Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.

    Resources

    Readings

    These suggested readings offer a comprehensive introduction to the value of majoring in psychology, the steps involved in preparing for and applying to graduate school, and the broader impact of the field. We will explore the personal and professional motivations for choosing psychology as a major, while also providing practical guidance on gaining relevant experience, building a strong application, and navigating the graduate school process. Additionally, the readings emphasize psychology’s ability to create positive change in individuals and society, highlighting its role in addressing social issues and promoting well-being. Together, these resources encourage you to view psychology as both a meaningful academic pursuit and a tool for real-world impact.

    The readings also provide an overview of career paths both within and beyond traditional roles in psychology.

    From Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career GoalsLinks to an external site., please choose the chapters that seem most pertinent or interesting to you from the following:

    • Part I. Chapter 1, “Why Major in Psychology.”
    • Part I. Chapter 3, “Succeeding in the Psychology Major: Adjustments, Common Difficulties and Strategies.”
    • Part I. Chapter 6, “The Preprofessional Degree: Preparing for Graduate School.”
    • Part I. Chapter 7, “The Preprofessional Degree: Applying to Graduate School.”
    • Part II. Chapter 10, “Careers in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology.”
    • Part II. Chapter 11, “Careers in Educational and School Psychology.”
    • Part II. Chapter 16, “Careers in Academe.”

    From Building Your Career in PsychologyLinks to an external site., read the following:

    • Chapter 1, “How Does Psychology Change the World.”
    • Chapter 2, “Connecting Your Goals to the Education Needed.”
    • Chapter 12, “Specializations, Allied Professions and Using Psychology in the World.”

    Throughout the course, we’ll look at directions you can go after graduation. To get started, read the following article:

    • The Benefits of Earning a Psychology DegreeLinks to an external site..

    Next, read the interview with Dr. Karen DuBois-Walton on the following reading list, which explores the difference one person can make with a career in clinical psychology.

    • Clinical and Counseling PsychologyLinks to an external site..

    Resume Preparation

    You will develop/update your resume and tailor it for a specific job in preparation for your assessment. Writing resumes is a unique skill.

    Clarify Your Goals

    Whether you plan to enter the workforce or go straight into a graduate program, the end of your bachelor’s degree is a good time to start clarifying both your short-term and long-term career goals.

    Next, read about how to Clarify Your GoalLinks to an external site..

    Career Exploration

    At the bachelor’s level, people interested in working in clinical (or closely related) settings can look at jobs as psychiatric technicians, case managers, and, in some states, social service workers. In addition, some states have licensing options for addiction counseling or peer support for people with bachelor’s degrees (and some additional training). In the following reading list, read about how to become a case manager or psychiatric technician:

    • Career ExplorationLinks to an external site..

    The more well-known jobs in clinical and counseling psychology require graduate degrees, typically a doctoral degree. However, there are jobs—such as counselors and therapists—available to those with master’s degrees in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or clinical social work.

    For individuals with bachelor’s degrees who would like to work in a school setting, there are jobs available for tutors and teachers. In most cases, teaching will require additional coursework. However, check your state’s requirements (each one is different) and then search to see if you qualify for a program to speed your way to a teaching credential.

    Typical school psychology jobs require graduate education. Look at your state’s requirements to learn what is required near you.

    • School Psychology. Scroll down for career exploration information.

    Also, if interested in working in a school setting, consider school counseling.

    • General School Counseling. Scroll down for career exploration information.

    Gaining Experience

    Have you looked at a job opening and been discouraged because they are looking for applicants with years of experience? Have you wondered how to gain experience? In the helping professions, one often builds such experience slowly. First, through volunteer and entry level positions. Then, if pursuing a graduate degree, through internships.

    Explore ideas on how to gain experience relevant to the career you want by visiting the following page:

    Cultural Identity and Biases

    Think about how your cultural identity and biases may affect the way you think and behave in a professional setting. Read the book chapter on the following reading list to learn practical advice on how psychologists can evaluate their cultural identity and bias.

    • Links to an external site.Educational and School PsychologyLinks to an external site..

    Learning to Network

    Now that you’ve clarified your career goal and thought about how to gain experience, it’s time to start thinking about using the resources you already have in your life—your social network.