Updated to reflect the latest data in the field, the second edition of Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals remains the most comprehensive and accessible text for psychology majors available today.

* The new edition incorporates the most up-to-date research, as well as recent changes to the GRE

* Reveals the benefits of pursuing a psychology degree and shows students how to prepare for a career or to continue with graduate study in the field

* Features a wide range of supplemental exercises and materials plus topical contributions written by national and international figures in their respective psychology subfields

* Online support materials for instructors include Powerpoint slides and test banks to support each chapter

Jeffrey L. Helms is Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Helms, a licensed psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association, currently maintains a small private consulting practice that focuses on executive coaching and organizational, academic, and forensic consultation.

Daniel T. Rogers is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Rogers is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Personality Assessment.

Praise for the first edition:

"A worthy addition to the growing literature on the keys to success for undergraduate psychology majors, the Helms and Rogers text is likely to be one of those books that conscientious psychology students refer to again and again."
William Addison, Eastern Illinois University

"The Helms and Rogers text truly focuses on helping students achieve their educational and career goals. The authors go beyond the typical career books by presenting a realistic, robust, and diverse picture of possible careers in psychology. Bringing a variety of careers to life, the professional spotlights and profiles of real psychologists represent the true diversity of careers in the field. I look forward to discussing it with my students."
Tracy Zinn, James Madison University

Already widely considered the most comprehensive and accessible text for psychology majors, this second edition of Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals is thoroughly updated to reflect the latest research data in the field, as well as important information on recent changes to the GRE. Readers are first introduced to information, strategies, and resources that support success in psychology educational and career pursuits – issues such as the nature and utility of a psychology degree, career decision making, college success, and preparation for graduate school and employment. A series of exercises, resources, and suggested readings provided in each chapter further enhance clarity. Later chapters introduce readers to the diverse areas of study available within the broader field of psychology, with special attention given to the nature of these subfields and their variances in educational requirements, training, and career options – critical information to help support a student's efforts in developing more specific educational and career goals that are in line with particular interests and skills. Further insights in this section are provided via An Insider's Perspective and Professional Spotlight boxes that showcase the career and viewpoint of a pair of internationally recognized psychologists working in their respective subfields.

Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals, 2nd Edition, confirms its reputation as the most indispensable resource for psychology students available today.

Zusammenfassung

Updated to reflect the latest data in the field, the second edition of Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals remains the most comprehensive and accessible text for psychology majors available today.

• The new edition incorporates the most up-to-date research, as well as recent changes to the GRE
• Reveals the benefits of pursuing a psychology degree and shows students how to prepare for a career or to continue with graduate study in the field
• Features a wide range of supplemental exercises and materials plus topical contributions written by national and international figures in their respective psychology subfields
• Online support materials for instructors include Powerpoint slides and test banks to support each chapter

List of Boxes xviii

List of Tables xxi

Preface xxii

Acknowledgments xxiv

About the Website xxvi

Part I Majoring in Psychology 1

1 Why Major in Psychology? 3

Introduction 3

How to Use this Book 6

Why Major in Psychology? 6

Suggested Exercises 13

Suggested Readings by Topic Area 14

References 14

2 Succeeding in College: Transitions, Strategies, and Resources 15

Introduction 15

The Experience of Adjusting to College 17

Academic Strategies 23

Campus Resources 30

Conclusion 33

Suggested Exercises 33

Suggested Readings 34

References 34

3 Succeeding in the Psychology Major: Adjustments, Common Difficulties, and Strategies 38

Introduction 38

The Nature of Academic Work in the Psychology Major 40

Common Challenges for Psychology Majors 43

Strategies for Success 49

Conclusion 54

Suggested Exercises 54

Suggested Readings 55

Resources 55

References 56

4 Assessing and Developing Career Goals 57

Introduction 57

The Nature and Value of Career Goal Setting 59

Assessing Self and Developing Life Goals 64

Assessing Self and Developing Career Goals 66

Assessing Self and Developing Educational Goals 69

Conclusion 73

Suggested Exercises 73

Suggested Readings 74

References 74

5 Using your Bachelor's Degree: Preparing for the Job Market 76

Introduction 76

Work Settings of Recent Graduates 77

What Employers Want from Applicants for Entry?]Level Positions 79

How to Develop What Employers Want 82

Finding Entry?]Level Positions 85

Preparing Job Application Materials: Résumés and Cover Letters 87

Preparing for and Completing Job Interviews and Considering Offers 93

Starting Salaries 97

Suggested Exercises 98

Resources 99

References 100

6 The Preprofessional Degree: Preparing for Graduate School 102

Introduction 102

Is Graduate School Right for You? 103

Course Selection 104

Grades and Grade Point Average 110

Research Experience 111

Internships, Field Practica, and Work Experience 113

Mentoring 114

Getting Involved in Professional Organizations 115

Getting Involved on Campus 116

Community Service and Extracurricular Activities 118

Suggested Exercises 118

Suggested Readings 120

Resources 120

References 121

7 The Preprofessional Degree: Applying to Graduate School 122

Introduction 122

The Subfields of Psychology 122

Deciding on the Type of Graduate Education 127

Finding Available Graduate Programs 132

Evaluating the Graduate Programs You Find 133

Selecting Programs to Pursue 146

Preparing Vitae - An Essential Part of Your Application Packet 147

Statements of Intent and Admissions Essays 152

Letters of Recommendation 153

The Graduate School Application Packet 156

Interviewing 156

Making Your …