Psychology major

Tag: Psychology major

Insights from an Interview with a Psychology Student Worker at Lawrence University

Current Roles and Responsibilities:

A junior Psychology major at Lawrence University, this student worker manages two distinct roles on campus: teaching assistant (TA) in the Chinese department and mailroom assistant. As a TA, she tutors students in Mandarin twice a week, prepares class content, and grades homework. She describes the TA role as challenging yet rewarding, noting that it “helps me think from the professor’s perspective,” especially when planning content that effectively engages and supports students. Her second role, as a mailroom assistant, involves interacting with people throughout the day, assisting them with package pick-ups and deliveries. This job, she shares, has helped her develop her “people skills” through regular interactions with students and faculty.

Skills Gained:

Through her campus jobs, she has cultivated various skills, particularly in teaching and communication. As a TA, she has learned “what kind of materials students prefer” and how to communicate in ways that enhance their understanding of Mandarin. Working in the mailroom has further strengthened her interpersonal skills. “Talking to people when they come to the mailroom and helping them… helps improve my people skills,” she said. These experiences have given her confidence and practical skills that she feels are “very beneficial” for her future career.

Balancing Responsibilities:

Balancing academics with her work responsibilities has been challenging, especially with her TA role, which requires significant preparation time outside of tutoring hours. “I just use as much time as I can in between classes or during lunch breaks to get things done,” she explained. For the mailroom job, she appreciates that she can sometimes work on her homework when it’s less busy, which helps her manage time more effectively.

Challenges Faced and How She Overcomes Them:

Time management has been her biggest challenge, especially when it comes to her TA role, where the workload doesn’t follow a strict schedule. She describes the TA work as “another homework assignment” that requires consistent effort each week. “I think I need to improve my efficiency,” she admits, explaining that balancing work with academics requires learning to “do more within a short period of time.”

Most Enjoyable Aspects of Her Roles:

She finds both roles rewarding in unique ways. As a mailroom assistant, she enjoys the social aspect of the job, meeting new people and catching up with friends who pass through. As a TA, she finds satisfaction in seeing her students’ progress. “It’s very nice to see them learn new stuff and get better at the language,” she shared, adding that witnessing their improvement over time is both inspiring and fulfilling.

Future Career Connections:

Although she’s not entirely sure of her long-term career plans, she’s open to potentially pursuing a teaching role in academia after graduate school. The TA experience, she believes, will be valuable if she chooses to continue in an educational setting. “If I go to grad school or even teach in the future, these skills are helpful,” she explained. She also emphasized that communication and problem-solving skills are transferable to any career path and are qualities she’s actively developing through her campus jobs.

Advice for Other Students:

For students considering similar roles, she offers practical advice: “Work in something that you at least do not hate or, ideally, something you like.” She notes that some campus jobs, like the mailroom, are flexible, which allows students to make use of downtime for personal work. Her overall recommendation is to choose roles that feel enjoyable or rewarding, rather than jobs chosen solely for the paycheck.

Reflecting on Work-Life Balance:

As a final piece of advice, she encourages students to reflect on their schedules each term and carefully consider whether they can manage the maximum 20-hour weekly work limit. “Don’t push yourself too hard,” she advised. She’s learned that while 20 hours of work may be manageable for some, it’s important to leave space for rest and balance, especially during busy terms. “Sometimes, just give yourself a little rest or break,” she added.

 Reflection

My conversation with this student worker gave me valuable insights into managing multiple responsibilities on campus, particularly with roles that require both academic and interpersonal skills. Her experience as both a teaching assistant and a mailroom assistant demonstrates a balance of structured teaching and flexible, interactive work, providing her with a range of skills applicable to future career paths. What stood out most was her thoughtful approach to balancing time between her studies and her jobs. Her experience of filling in moments between classes or lunch breaks to get work done is something I resonate with and could incorporate into my own schedule. Her adaptability and use of every available moment are qualities I admire, as they reflect an efficient and practical way of managing busy days.

Her challenges with time management and the added workload from her TA responsibilities also struck a chord with me. I related to her description of TA work as “another homework assignment” with no fixed hours. Her openness about needing to improve her efficiency was refreshing and motivating, reminding me that even small gains in time management can make a significant difference in balancing academics and work. One of the most inspiring parts of our conversation was her reflection on the satisfaction of seeing students progress. Her description of watching students “get better at the language” reminded me of the fulfillment I find in helping others, whether through tutoring or club activities. This aspect of her role reinforces the value of teaching as not only a way to help others but also as a way to grow and gain perspective.

Her advice about choosing enjoyable work resonated with me deeply. “Work in something that you at least do not hate,” she said, which reminded me of the importance of choosing roles that bring personal fulfillment or interest. It’s easy to fall into the habit of taking on roles solely for financial gain or to fill time, but she reminded me to prioritize enjoyment in my work. Her suggestion to find flexible jobs that allow time for personal work also aligns with my goals, as balancing academics with work is a constant challenge. Lastly, her advice on not pushing oneself too hard was a reminder to think carefully about my commitments each term. She reflected on her experience of overworking and the importance of planning for downtime, which was a helpful reminder that rest is necessary for sustained productivity and well-being.

To conclude, this conversation highlighted the value of balancing work with personal interests, cultivating skills that are transferable to future careers, and maintaining a focus on well-being. Her experience balancing two roles with her academic goals has inspired me to evaluate my own commitments and consider how I can approach my work more mindfully.

Dennis Boakye ’26 is a junior with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. He is also a co-president of the Neurolawrence Club and the Synthetic Biology Club and the treasurer for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA, Lawrence Chapter) and the Black Student Union (BSU). Dennis is the current career peer educator for the Health and Medicinal Professions (HMP) and the Physical and Natural Sciences (PHN) career communities at Lawrence University. Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.

Career Spotlight: Mental Health Counselor

If there’s one thing pandemic isolation has taught us, it is the importance of mental health professionals in today’s world. With the rates of mental illnesses skyrocketing in the U.S. (particularly among young adults and underrepresented populations), mental health counselors are providing vital resources to our communities [read CDC statistics on U.S. mental health and the pandemic here]. Are you interested in exploring a career as a mental health counselor? Read on to learn what this career could look like! 

What do mental health counselors do? 

Mental health counselors meet with individuals one-on-one or in groups to help clients improve their mental and emotional health. Often, mental health counselors work with clients who have diagnosable mental disorders, but counselors may also work with individuals experiencing emotional distress as part of daily life and expected transitions. This job often requires completing an initial psychological assessment with a client, developing a treatment plan with the client, and meeting regularly for some length of time. It may also include communication with people besides the client, such as parents, schools, and doctors. If you enjoy listening, empathizing, and problem-solving, this might be a good career for you! 

Where do they work? 

Some mental health counselors are self-employed and work in private practice, while others are employed by agencies such as nonprofits, schools, and companies. Some may work as part of a treatment team in intensive outpatient and hospital settings as well. 

Who do they work with? 

Mental health counselors can see clients of any age. Many counselors specialize in certain populations, such as an age group or a particular mental health issue. Some counselors also specialize in a certain method of counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or psychoanalysis. Each specialization will involve slightly different duties, and there are many opportunities for further training after becoming licensed. 

What training do they need? 

Practicing as a mental health counselor requires a license, such as an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) – the name varies by state. To get licensed, a counselor must complete a training program, usually a two-year master’s program in counseling or mental health counseling. Browse a list of CACREP-accredited masters programs here. The licensing requirements vary by state, and usually include some hours of internship and work experience after completing the master’s program. 

What is their pay and job outlook? 

Demand for mental health counselors is very high, and is growing. This may be due to an increased need of counseling services, and is likely also influenced by the fact that health insurances are covering increasingly more mental health services. The mental health counseling occupation is projected to grow 23% in the next 10 years, compared to the average of 8%. While salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and employer, the median salary for mental health counselors was around $47,660 per year in 2020. Counselors in urban areas tend to earn more (although the cost of living is also typically higher), while counselors in more rural areas tend to earn less. 

Where can I go to find out more? Professional organizations and resources: 

Connecting with mental health organizations is a great way to meet people in the field and stay informed of upcoming events and resources. Here are some organizations you might like to take a look at:

Lawrence Connections: Alumni in the mental health counseling field!  

Do you think you might be interested, but still have some questions? Or are you sure this is the job for you, and want some guidance along the winding path that leads there? At any stage of the process, no one can tell you the lay of the land better than a mental health counselor themselves. And one with a Lawrence background will understand where you are coming from as well as where you might be headed. Here are a few alumni in the mental health counseling field: Cynthia Stocum, Ariana Thelen, Sally Burns. Check out Lawrence’s alumni platform, Viking Connect, to find more alumni! 

Whether your journey ends in mental health counseling or somewhere else, thanks for taking a few minutes to learn more about this career track that’s meeting a critical need in our communities! 

Career Highlight: Occupational Therapist

Interested in pursuing occupational therapy as a career? Read on to find out more information about what a job as an occupational therapist looks like!

Job Duties
As an occupational therapist, frequently your job will involve evaluating and assisting people with various physical and/or neurological disabilities. For example, you may lead an autistic child in reciprocal play, or demonstrate healthy and/or alleviating exercises for people with chronic health conditions. As a result, your day to day activities will vary, and require a lot of flexibility. Part of this may include evaluating and assisting with updating a person’s home and/or work environment to ensure their health needs are being met. This often includes educating family, caregivers, and employers on how a patient can be best accommodated, providing information such has how to help them through a meltdown or flareup of symptoms, and how to use special equipment when necessary. Finally, occupational therapists work with the patient to develop a treatment plan to help the patient meet their own health goals.

Where They Work
Occupational therapists work in a variety of locations, depending on the patients they see. Many occupational therapists are employed by either hospitals or private healthcare practices. However, some work in educational settings, as schools will sometimes hire occupational therapists to help with child development in special needs circumstances. Retirement facilities will additionally hire occupational therapists to assist their elderly residents get accustomed to life in assisted living. And as may be suggested by the job duties, many occupational therapists additionally visit the homes of their patients to provide better hands on care.

Working Conditions
Work hours for occupational therapists are often flexible, suited to their patient’s needs. Most occupational therapists work full time (40 hours a week), and many work only during weekdays, similar to a typical day job. However, many also work nights and/or weekends when needed, in order to accommodate their patients and better recognize their needs. As previously mentioned, most will work in either an office of occupational therapy or hospital as a type of home base — where paperwork and planning commences. However when engaging with their patients, typically occupational therapists will spend a lot of time on their feet. This can include helping a patient get outside for some exercise, generally assisting around the house, etc. Additionally, local travel is often necessary for OTs who may need to visit patients in their homes as well as patients in a hospital or hospice care situation, as many OTs will treat patients in multiple facilities.

Who They Work With
The disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, and elderly are the populations typically served by occupational therapists, although exceptions exist. An occupational therapist will have the most interaction with their patients and caregivers, in addition to other occupational therapists. This is especially true if they work out of a private practice or hospital setting, where multiple occupational therapists are employed by the same organization (by contrast, schools will typically only hire one occupational therapist). In a hospital setting, an occupational therapist may expect to work with nurses and doctors as well, when necessary.

Education and Training
Occupational Therapists are required to go through quite a bit of education and training. The first major step is to take the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam in order to get their license to practice. However, most occupational therapists elect (and most states require) to obtain a 2-year associates degree in Occupational Therapy, as these programs prepare you to sit the COTA. After successfully passing the COTA, you can find work as an occupational therapist assistant and gain valuable fieldwork experience. In order to become a full-fledged Occupational Therapist, a masters’ degree in Occupational Therapy is required — although many programs exist that combine bachelor’s and master’s in occupational therapy. Finally, you must take a final exam — the Occupational Therapy Registered (OTR) — and obtain state licensure, whose requirements vary based on location. Then you’ll be able to practice!

Pay and Job Outlook
Pay varies based on state and on where you are on your career journey. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in 2020, the median pay for an occupational therapist was $86k per year, or $41 per hour. However, occupational therapy assistants make a little less, on a range from around $36k/year to as much as $60k/year — all dependent on geographic location. As can be expected, occupational therapists in the midwestern states and smaller cities/towns make a smaller average than occupational therapists who work in large cities, especially along the coasts. That said, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects employment for occupational therapists to grow up to 16% in the next ten years, which is much faster than the average employment growth across all occupations. They suggest that occupational therapy will continue to be vital in treating people with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, autism, or the loss of a limb.

Career Highlight: Applied Behavioral Analyst

Interested in pursuing a career as an applied behavioral analyst? Read on to find out more information about what this job looks like!

Job Duties
As an applied behavioral analyst, your primary patients will be children, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other neurological and developmental disabilities or disorders. This position often requires conducting an initial interview to assess the child, as well as setting short- and long-term goals with the child and their parents/caregivers and tracking growth and/or behavioral shifts. Tracking may include identifying improvements in addition to conditioning harmful or maladaptive behaviors. Much of the work involves leading applied behavioral analysis therapy sessions, in addition to communicating with parents/caregivers regarding the child’s progress. Applied behavioral analysts often work 1:1, although group work is relatively common, typically through a school or other community organization. Finally, an applied behavioral analyst may additionally provide training — both to ABA interns and lower-level employees who may interact with the child, and to the child’s parents/caregivers.

Where They Work
Applied behavioral analysts often work through organizations dedicated to working with autistic children — for example, the Wisconsin Early Autism Project is a major hub for applied behavioral analysts in Wisconsin — as well as having opportunities to work through schools or even children’s hospitals.

Working Conditions
A general requirement is that as an applied behavioral analyst will be working with children — they will need to be able to work alongside them, and within the typical environments they occupy, including the home, school, etc. This is very varied to each child’s needs, but typically requires a great degree of movement that would not be found at a typical desk job — for example, you may be expected to spend most of the day transitioning between kneeling, sitting, squatting, standing, even carrying the child. Local travel is often necessary, although the degree to which you will need to travel varies. Many applied behavioral analysts work within a patients home environment, others work from a home-base clinic where the patients come to you. Permanent employment within an organization is likely and many applied behavioral analysts work full or mostly-full time — however, children/families may cycle according to their needs. Additionally, many organizations offer part-time employment in addition to full-time; this most notably includes offers to those still currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.

Who They Work With
Applied behavioral analysts work primarily with children with ASD and their families and/or caregivers. Most frequently, an applied behavioral analyst will work by themselves with the child, although they may be expected to communicate with other members of a treatment team (the child’s pediatrician, other members of the clinic, etc.). Some applied behavioral analysts additionally work in a group setting, with multiple children.

Education and Training
Education really varies by state, and there are a couple of very similar positions to applied behavioral analyst. For example, an applied behavioral analysis technician (or assistant) typically only requires a high school degree — however these positions are almost always part-time. Typically an applied behavioral analyst either has a degree in a related field (commonly psychology, behavioral analysis, etc.) or is currently in pursuit of that degree — although some positions will prefer a candidate with a master’s (of psychology or behavioral analysis). As applied behavioral analysis as a therapeutic technique is quite specific, most organizations will provide extensive training as the initial job duties after first being hired — this will then transition into the typical job duties described above.

Pay and Job Outlook
As with many therapy positions, pay varies between states. As such, a general range of estimated yearly salary is between $35k per year and $62k per year — with the lower end pulling from more rural areas and the higher end reflecting potions in large cities. Pay is also significantly dependent on education and experience on the job — applied behavioral analysts will typically experience a peak in their salary after about 5 years of experience. Additionally, demand for applied behavioral analysts is very high. Employment growth over the next ten years, as reported by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, is expected to be 18-20%, which is much faster growth than the average across all positions and fields.