Making the Leap: Job Search Support Group

Following on the success of the graduate school application groups, the Psychology Advising Office offered the inaugural Getting a Job Support Group during winter quarter 2012.  While many of our psychology majors aspire to attend graduate school, the majority will enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.  This multi-session workshop was designed by Psychology advisors Vicky Hansen and Tracy Maschmann Morrissey to give students some strategies for the job search process.

The group met six times over the course of the quarter.  Students polished resumes, drafted sample cover letters, and learned about different ways of approaching the job search.  Mock interviews during class, and an assignment that required students to conduct a vocational interview with a professional in their field of interest, boosted students' confidence and even opened some unexpected doors.

"Three of our students who made contacts during their vocational interviews ended up with strong job leads that resulted in employment," says Vicky Hansen.  "While we don't expect this to happen so quickly for all of our students," she continues, "it was a very exciting development!" 

Plans are in the works to convert this support group format to a quarter-long class that will include collaborations with Psychology alumni.