What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) Be Doing: An Informal Guide to Research Experience and Professional Skills [Paperback]

Paul J. Silvia (Author), Peter F. Delaney (Author), Stuart Marcovitch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1433804387 | ISBN-13: 978-1433804380 | Publication Date: January 2009 | Edition: 1

More students are majoring in psychology than ever before--over 85,000 students graduate with psychology degrees each year--so competition for grad-school spots and good jobs is fierce. What are you doing to stand out from the other hundreds of thousands of psychology majors? If a good GPA is all you have to show for your years in college, you may be in trouble.

To go beyond the minimum, students could (and should) get involved in research, develop their scientific writing skills, attend conferences, join clubs and professional organizations, build a library of professional books, and present their research. By getting out of the classroom and actively participating in the real world of psychology, students can build skills that will prepare them for the competitive realms of graduate school and the workforce. Written in a lighthearted and humorous tone, this book shows both grad-school bound and career-bound students how to seek out and make the most of these opportunities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition (January 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433804387
• ISBN-13: 978-1433804380
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul J. Silvia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research explores the emotion of interest, particularly what makes things interesting or boring, and the psychology of aesthetics, creativity, and the arts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Required Text for All Undergrad Courses, April 11, 2009

By 

Jeffrey J. Froh (Assistant Professor, Hofstra University, New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) Be Doing: An Informal Guide to Research Experience and Professional Skills (Paperback)

"No one told me I must do research as an undergrad. I thought attending class, having a 3.7 GPA, and getting an 1150 on my GREs was enough. But without research experience, I've learned that I stand little chance--if any--of getting into grad school. I'm a senior. I wish someone told me sooner" [insert sounds of a sigh and sniffles]. Unfortunately, I often hear this when telling my undergraduate students the importance of getting involved in research. I do my best arming my students with knowledge to shine during the grueling graduate school application process: seek out a mentor, ensure your professors know you personally, do everything in your power to give presentations and publish, and ask for books for your birthday instead of a new body piercing. That's all I have. But "What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) be Doing..." discusses this--and more! Everything you can, and can't, imagine is in this book. The advice ranges from wearing a polo shirt and khakis to professional conferences (not your cherished Goth outfit, cape included), to using Arial font for poster presentations, to creating a writing schedule (see Silvia, 2007 for a phenomenal review), to the main theme of the book: becoming a lab rat.

I think "What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) be Doing..." is the greatest book for undergraduate psychology majors aiming for excellence and the professors, like myself, who care for and teach them. This book gives students the advice that, in my opinion, they aren't given enough of--if they're even given it at all! I loved the book so much that it's now on every one of my undergraduate syllabi. If you're an undergraduate psychology major aiming to get into graduate school, or if you're a professor who teaches undergraduate psychology students, get this book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding resource!!, November 27, 2009

By 

Boston NoSox (Boston) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) Be Doing: An Informal Guide to Research Experience and Professional Skills (Paperback)

What a fantastic resource for students! I bought the book for the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who are currently getting research experience in my lab (I am a psychology professor). It was a very quick read for me, and I became increasingly pleased as I read. I have since touted the book to my students, who are finding it very helpful for clearly laying out the best possible preparation for graduate school. Students have varied levels of understanding of what graduate schools require, and this book is a great way to get everyone up to speed quickly and easily.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, December 25, 2009

By 

C. G. Rackley - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) Be Doing: An Informal Guide to Research Experience and Professional Skills (Paperback)

This book is short and easy to read. It's geared towards a younger "pop" audience and for that reason it is actually fun to read. It gives lots of good information for upcoming psychologists/psychiatrists.