Psych Scoop 1/28/25

The Psych Scoop is sent to all Psychology Undergraduate students and alumni each week throughout the academic school year.

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Psychology Advising Announcements

Current majors are expected to know the announcements in the advising announcement section.

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Spring 2025 Psych Connection Kickoff 

  • Date:  Tuesday, February 4, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Elliott Hall, Room N219 

Psychology Undergraduate Advising is hosting a Psych Connection Kickoff event this Spring semester! Come meet other peers interested in psychology while enjoying psychology and Super Bowl-themed Kahoot and Jeopardy! It's also the perfect chance to connect with Psychology student groups and hear about their exciting plans for the Spring semester. Plus, enjoy Raising Cane's chicken and fries while supplies last. Please fill out this form by Friday, 1/31, to RSVP.

Psychology Engagement Award - Spring 2025 Application Now Open

Are you volunteering in your community this Spring? Or, participating in an unpaid internship here or abroad this semester? The Department of Psychology's Donor Awards for Psychology Undergraduate Engagement are available to support you! The purpose of these awards is to encourage and support psychology majors who engage in unpaid learning experiences beyond the University campus and classroom environments (i.e. unpaid internships, volunteer experiences, study abroad containing a psych-related internship, etc.). Up to three awards of $500 will be offered for Spring 2025. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 5th (12:00 pm CST). For details about the awards and application materials, visit our webpage.

Looking for Psychology Internships? Get Started with Our YouTube Tutorials!

Are you interested in finding an internship in psychology, but don’t know where to look? Psychology Undergraduate Advising is here to help! We’ve created two instructional videos to guide you through using Handshake and the MN Council of Nonprofits website to find your next internship. You can watch the Handshake video and the MN Council of Nonprofits video on our YouTube channel.

Apply for the PSY 5993 Enrichment Program

As part of the Pathways committee’s aim to increase engagement in research-related psychology careers among underrepresented students, we have created an enrichment program for students enrolled in PSY 5993, to support and enhance students’ research experiences. The program consists of weekly meetings with a cohort of 10-20 students to provide support for PSY 5993 research experiences, build research-related skills, learn about research-related career opportunities, and present their work. Participation in this program will also include up to $250 in tuition support. We would like to invite undergraduates who identify with groups underrepresented in psychology research careers to consider participating in this program by completing a brief applicationApplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with acceptances communicated on a rolling basis throughout the beginning of the Spring semester. The application should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

Psychology Student Group Announcements

Chinese Psychology Student Association Hiring Team Members 

The Chinese Psychology Student Association (CPSA) is currently recruiting new members and potential leaders for the organization. Candidates from all years are welcome. Members will be in charge of content creation (article composition/video editing), event planning, and public relations management on social media. CPSA is an academic student association composed of Chinese students with a major in psychology at UMN. CPSA intends to set a foundation to unite and provide a platform to communicate, share, and establish comprehensive information in the psychological field between alumni and students, including topics on academic discussions, research/graduate programs, career perspectives, etc. We are looking forward to having people who would love to learn and share psychology knowledge join us. For more information, please email Yuwei Xia at [email protected].

Industrial Organizational Psychology Club - Welcome Back Social

  • Date:  Thursday, January 30, 2025
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Elliott Hall, Room N119

Industrial Organizational Psychology Club (IOPC) is hosting a welcome-back social and icebreaker night to ring in the Spring 2025 semester! During this event, IOPC members will reintroduce the club and build connections between members and those who are interested in I/O Psychology! Snacks will be provided! 

Events

HBCU Informational Session

Through the National Student Exchange (NSE), U of M undergrads can exchange to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) for a semester or year. In partnership with the Black Student Union, this info session will feature students who exchanged to Dillard University (LA) and North Carolina Central University. Other HBCUs available for exchange include: Alabama State University, Bowie State University (MD), Fayetteville State University (NC), Florida A&M University, Prairie View A&M (TX), South Carolina State University, Southern University (LA), Tuskegee University (AL), Virginia State University, and the University of the Virgin Islands - St. Croix and St. Thomas. NSE exchanges are available for Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026. The priority application deadline is February 25th, 2025, but students can apply anytime. Can't make the info session or have more questions? Send an email to David Holliday at [email protected].

International Student Mental-Wellbeing Event

  • Date:  Tuesday, January 28, 2025
  • Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Elliott Hall, Room N219 

The President's Initiative for Student Mental Health (PRISMH) is inviting undergraduate international students to participate in an event for a research study focused on improving the mental well-being of international students. As part of this study, we have developed educational materials designed specifically to support international students' mental health, and we are seeking your feedback. There will be free food and compensation. RSVP Required! Reach out to Will Greenberg at [email protected]

Counseling Psychology Club's Spring Bake Sale

  • Date:  Wednesday, January 29, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Baked goods vary in prices
  • Location: Elliott Hall Lobby

Come support the Counseling Psychology Club at their Spring Bake Sale! Stop by the Elliott Hall lobby on January 29th between 11:00 am-3:00 pm to grab some chocolate chip cookies and brownies. See you there!

Latinos For Psychology!

  • Date:  Thursday, January 30, 2025
  • Time: 5:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Elliott Hall, Room S160

Are you a Latino or Hispanic student interested in the subjects of mental health or psychology? Latinos for psychology is a new club starting up this spring! LFP aims to create a community for psychology majors in addition to starting larger conversations about mental health. All are welcome! Follow @latinosforpsych on Instagram for updates and email [email protected] with any questions.

First-Gen Women’s Luncheon

  • Date:  Tuesday, February 4, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Walter Library Room 320

The First-Gen Student Success Center is partnering with the Women's Center to host a luncheon highlighting the experiences of first-generation women and feminine-aligned individuals on campus. This event is a great opportunity for students to hear directly from professionals about navigating their academic and career journeys! Free catered lunch will be provided by Wally's, as well as a chance for students to win a $25 gift card!

International Student Career Fair Preparation Workshops

Join the International Student Career Fair Preparation Workshop to get ready for the upcoming Spring 2025 career fairs! This event will feature helpful tips and information from presenters from ISSS and Career Services. All UMN international students who are attending spring career fairs are welcome to attend. We will discuss: what to expect at a career fair, how to talk with employers, your work authorization options, and tips for successful interactions and follow-up at a career fair. Please email Jane Sitter at [email protected] with any questions about this event.

Pre-Health Opportunities Fair

  • Date:  Friday, February 7, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall

Register for the upcoming Pre-Health Opportunities Fair for the chance to learn about opportunities to prepare you for health professional programs. This includes 30+ on-campus and community organizations offering part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, gap year programs, research positions, and other healthcare roles! Students must register on Handshake for the event.

Courses of Interest

For more detailed information on each of these courses, refer to Schedule Builder.

PSY 3960: Undergraduate Seminar in Psychology - Psychology Research Preparation Course - Key part of the Department of Psychology's Pathways Program

Joining a research lab can be a fun way to enhance undergraduate education in psychology. However, getting involved is not always straightforward. This course is designed to help first- through third-year students with all levels of experience learn more about research and develop skills that will support success in future research placements, such as a PSY 5993 course. We will cover a broad range of topics including different career paths in research, preparation of 5993 application materials, how to look for scientific articles, and different expectations that labs may have. Throughout these topics, we will emphasize issues of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in science. We hope to provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds to explore how personal identity can play a meaningful role in the research experience. A permission number is required to enroll; please contact [email protected] for information.

Note: PSY 3960 may be used as 1 Elective Credit in the Psychology Major.

Research

To register for PSY 4993 or 5993 credit, view the registration requirements on the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Website.

*Credit or Volunteer* CPSY 4994 Gunnar Lab seeking RA fluent in Cantonese

The Gunnar Lab at the Institute of Child Development is looking for research assistants to start as soon as possible. Our research focus is on stress and the effects of early life experiences in children, teens, and young adults. We have a research project seeking RAs to assist with transcribing parent-child interactions from videos. RAs must be bilingual in English and Cantonese. Students can earn 1-3 credits for CPSY 4994. The position can be remote. To learn more about this position, please send your CV/resume and a short introduction to Bao Moua at [email protected] to be considered.

*Volunteer* RA Position in Substance-Use Disorder and Neuroimaging Lab

Dr. Zilverstand in the Department of Psychiatry is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented volunteer student to support an ongoing project investigating mechanisms underlying mental health risks, substance use initiation, and the development of psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Responsibilities include conducting literature searches and reviews for an upcoming manuscript and gaining experience with phenotypic subtyping methods in psychopathology research. This role offers hands-on research experience in a collaborative lab environment, participation in lab meetings, and journal clubs, and opportunities to contribute to poster presentations and authorship on published manuscripts. Ideal candidates will have a strong academic record, a passion for research, and an interest in pursuing graduate-level education. Contact Leyla Brucar at [email protected] and attach a CV/resume, an unofficial transcript, and a cover letter/short introduction.

*Credit or Volunteer* Psychomotor Ability Lab

Are you interested in Psychology research? Have you ever wondered how certain physical abilities might make some individuals fit better into particular jobs? The Ones Lab in the IO Psychology Department is seeking conscientious and motivated students to volunteer for our project on psycho-physical abilities. We are researching abilities regarding physical body motor movements (e.g., movement of fingers), fine motor skills (e.g. finger dexterity), coordination, and/or strength. These abilities are important to assess performance with jobs in these domains: sports, healthcare, safety/security, and crafts/trades. Students will participate in identifying, retrieving, and organizing studies, as well as coding relevant research for a quantitative synthesis. Interested students should complete and submit the Google form. Students who have taken courses in I/O psych, quantitative methods, and individual differences are preferred. Credit for 5993 will be provided for those interested. Questions about this opportunity may be directed to Sarah Nakamoto at [email protected].

Summer & Fall 2025 UROP Deadline 

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides University of Minnesota undergraduates from every college, major, and discipline, the opportunity to partner with a faculty member on research or creative projects. The next deadline to apply for an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) award is March 17, 2025, for Summer & Fall 2025 projects. Research experience is important no matter what your discipline! The OUR staff is happy to help you get started. Not sure where to start? Go to peer drop-in hours to demystify the research process. They can help you figure out how to get started with research, go over the next steps, and answer general questions.

Learning Abroad

For additional information about learning abroad opportunities, refer to the Learning Abroad Center’s website.

National Student Exchange Informational Sessions Available

Hey U of M students! Apply Now to do NSE during 2025-2026! National Student Exchange (NSE) offers study away to colleges and universities throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for a summer, semester, or year. NSE offers 170+ campuses to choose from. Meet new people, see new places, take new classes, and expand your horizons! NSE is affordable and we will make sure your credits transfer back to the U of M. Learn more at an NSE Info Session. Start your NSE application today!

Graduate School

Find Diversity Weekend programs - includes Fall, Spring, and Summer programs. Updated frequently.

Pathways to Graduate School

The Office of Undergraduate Research’s (OUR) Pathways to Graduate School summer program is open for registration with an application deadline of March 3, 2025. Pathways is a 10-week summer research program for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing graduate school and careers in academia. Pathways accepts U of MN students from all disciplines. To learn more about this opportunity, visit OUR’s website.

Resources 

DirecTrack to Teaching Informational Session

  • Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
  • Time: 4:30 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Peik Hall, Room 48

DirecTrack to Teaching is an exploratory program open to undergrads from all colleges who are interested in teaching. Get on the path to teaching licensure as an undergraduate through DirecTrack to teaching. The program gives undergraduates early exposure to the culture of teaching and schools through in-school experiences and prepares them to enter our MEd and teaching license programs. DirecTrack to teaching is a non-degree program. You will maintain your current University of Minnesota undergraduate college and major status (e.g., CLA, history major) while in the DirecTrack to teaching program.

Nutritious U Food Pantry

  • Date:  February 4th & 5th, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm CT
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Coffman Memorial Union, 1st Floor, Room 103A (Right behind the Goldy Gopher statue and across from the Theater) 

Boynton Health’s Nutritious U Food Pantry provides free groceries to any University of Minnesota student. Students can visit the pantry one time per event during open hours (1-2 total visits per month). Please bring your U Card.

Free Grad School Resource: The Portable Mentor, expert advice for psychology careers 

A doctorate in psychology is a remarkably versatile degree, but challenges lurk at every step of the career path, from landing a rewarding position to presenting and publishing your research, getting grants, working with the media, and managing work-life balance. In a new edition of The Portable Mentor—now a free, open-access resource thanks to a donor’s generosity—dozens of psychological scientists and other experts offer diverse insights on the most critical personal and professional issues facing young scholars today.  

APA Summer Undergraduate Psychology Experience in Research (SUPER) Fellowships

The American Psychological Association will offer up to 25 fellowships to support college students with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion to conduct summer research in a psychological science laboratory. The purpose of this fellowship program is to promote access and equity among psychology undergraduates considering research as a career by expanding opportunities for laboratory training and mentorship to those who have not had the opportunity to access research experiences. Applications for the 2025 Fellowship are due by 11:59 pm, Eastern Time, on March 1st, 2025. To learn more about this opportunity and apply, please visit their websiteFrequently asked questions can be found here.

Engagement Opportunities

2025 Summer Internship Program with Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health

The Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health represents a network of faculty and programs focused on research and capacity building around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the number of mental health professionals falls far from meeting the needs of communities. The eight-week Summer Internship Program allows intellectually curious undergraduate students to participate in a range of didactic seminars, network with professionals working in health fields assist Columbia staff and faculty with innovative research projects, and build meaningful relationships with other students. Internship positions are selected on a competitive basis and open to rising senior undergraduate students interested in global mental health. In the past, the Undergraduate Summer Internship Program has attracted applicants with a wide range of academic interests (e.g. policy, gender studies, medicine). We are open to all majors. The 2025 Summer Internship Program application is now open and can be accessed on their website. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025, at 5 pm EST. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].

Jobs/Internship Opportunities

IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source.

Direct Care Professional

ACR Homes is hiring psychology students to become Direct Care Professionals! Apply today for positions starting anytime in the next 9 months! You would work in a home setting alongside a co-worker to care for 4 people who have disabilities. You will get the chance to gain DIRECT PATIENT CARE HOURS by caring for the medical, emotional, and physical needs of the residents as well as enjoying fun activities with them on your shifts. ACR is flexible for students, we only ask for 2 shifts/week, but you could work more if you want. Starting pay is $16.00-$22.50/hr depending on the shift you work, paid training, and we have locations near campus, and you don't need to have a car! On top of all of that, we offer optional custom research-based internships that end with a letter of recommendation from our CEO who is a licensed psychologist. We are doing interviews 30 min Zoom interviews now to secure your spot. You pick your start date. Contact Kayla Wildes at [email protected] if you are interested in applying!

Part-Time Research Intern 

Gillette offers research interns the opportunity to explore their interest in clinical research and medicine through a structured 10-week research internship program. Gillette specializes in providing clinical care for children and adults who have brain, bone, and movement conditions. As a research intern at Gillette, you will learn about research processes in the context of this unique clinical setting. Each Summer research intern is paired with a Gillette mentor whose ongoing research project is well-suited for the intern's previous experiences and educational goals. Summer research interns will receive a $3,500 stipend as well.  In addition to research activities, research interns will have the opportunity to attend weekly teaching seminars and to immerse themselves in clinic life through surgical observations and outpatient clinic shadowing. At the end of the 10-week program, research interns will present their work to their mentors and peers during a poster presentation session.  For more information, visit their websiteApplications are accepted until Sunday, February 16th. Questions about this opportunity can be directed to Michaela Hingtgen at [email protected].

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