Psych Scoop, 7/23/24

July 23, 2024

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

Share your news with psyadvis@umn.edu!

Psychology Advising Announcements

Current majors are expected to know the announcements in the advising announcement section.
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1. 2024 Diversity in Psychology Program (DPP)

The application for the 2024 Diversity in Psychology Program (DPP) is open! Individuals interested in pursuing doctoral study in psychology are invited to apply to the 2024 Diversity in Psychology Program (DPP) by August 25, 2024. Our program is designed to improve transparency about the graduate application process and reviewer expectations, connect participants to supportive resources, and share information about doctoral programs in psychology at the University of Minnesota. This one-day virtual event will be held on October 18, 2024. Please visit the website to learn more, view eligibility criteria, and apply.

Events

2. BlackinPsych's Summer Data Visualization Talk Series!

Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 12:00 pm CST
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

BlackinPsych is thrilled to invite you and your department/program to our last Summer Data Visualization Talks Workshop! Join Maria Kalantzis for an insightful workshop on "Navigating Meta-analyses with SPSS & Excel." This session is designed for researchers and data analysts looking to master the process of conducting meta-analyses using two powerful tools: SPSS and Excel. Gain practical skills and insights to effectively manage and analyze meta-analytic data, and enhance your data visualization skills with this comprehensive workshop. To attend this event, please register here. Black in Psych is dedicated to supporting and promoting Black professionals in the field of psychology. They strive to create opportunities for networking, professional development, and advocacy. For more information about their mission and activities, please visit their website.

Courses of Interest

3. Think Like a Researcher Mini-Course

University Libraries, in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Research, is offering "Think Like a Researcher," an online mini-course to help undergraduate students become comfortable with the skills and tools needed to participate in a variety of research opportunities. The Think Like a Researcher mini-course is designed to help undergraduate students learn about the wide variety of ways to get started with research including volunteering, taking a course, applying to the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), and more. The workshops are free and open to all U of M undergraduate students. Those who want to participate are asked to complete a short registration form. The Canvas course will include a mix of videos, short activities, and discussion posts. In total, the online course will take about 2-3 hours to complete on your timeline. Visit the University Libraries "Think Like a Researcher" webpage to register and learn more! If you have any questions, please contact Kate Peterson, at katep@umn.edu, 612-626-3746.

Note: This course is free and will not be graded or recorded on transcripts.

Resources

4. Youth Studies and Social Work Courses Available

Are you interested in working with young people and learning how to best support them? Or maybe you want to learn about social work, family violence prevention, or social justice? Check out Youth Studies (YOST) and Social Work (SW)! YOST and SW courses are great for students who enjoy smaller classes and those who benefit from interactive and hands-on learning. Some course offerings include Experiential Learning, Youth Development for Youth Workers, Coversational & Relational Practices with Young People, Intro to Child Maltreatment: Intervention/Prevention, and Gender-based Violence. Search in Schedule Builder for 'YOST' and 'SW' to check out courses open to all students! Questions about the YOST or SW program and courses may be directed to Rae Dillon at mill4780@umn.edu.

Graduate School

5. Psychology PhD Virtual Admissions Information Sessions

Are you interested in pursuing a PhD in Psychology? Check out the Virtual Admissions Information Sessions offered by the Department of Psychology's Grad Studies Office. Sessions are offered monthly from May through October. Questions about these sessions may be directed to Psychology Graduate Admissions at psyapply@umn.edu.

6. PhD in Developmental Psychology - University of Florida

The Developmental Psychology Department at The University of Florida features national experts who employ an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the developmental processes across the lifespan, spanning prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Our labs investigate how physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural contexts influence the timing and trajectory of developmental changes. The department fosters dynamic interactions among faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduates. Notable, all our doctoral students receive full funding for FIVE years. To learn more about the program, and how to apply, visit their website. The deadline for submission of applications is December 1st, 2024.

7. PhD in Behavioral and Community Sciences - University of South Florida

The PhD in Behavioral & Community Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to research to enhance the quality of life and productivity of individuals with social, emotional, academic, and behavioral challenges (e.g., mental illness, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, developmental delays and disabilities, and behavior disorders) and socio-cultural challenges (e.g., poverty, disparities, homelessness). Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to ensure full consideration for scholarships and other funding opportunities that may have deadlines earlier than the final application deadline. The priority deadline for submission of applications from domestic and international students is December 15th, 2024. Interested individuals must apply directly to the University of South Florida Graduate School Admissions Office using the Online Graduate Application. For further information, contact Dr. Howard Goldstein at hgoldstein@usf.edu or 813-974-9613, or Allie Montoya at montoya1@usf.edu or 913-974-1990.

Research

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

8. *Credit* PSY 5993 Research Lab in Psychology - Dr. Whitney Ringwald

A brand-new lab doing research at the intersection of personality and clinical psychology is seeking students for Directed Research (PSY 5993). Research in the lab aims to understand patterns of day-to-day behavior that account for how people differ from each other and why some people have better or worse mental health. To answer these questions, the lab uses methods that involve having people report on their experiences using smartphones as they go about their everyday lives and by collecting data from their smartphone sensors (e.g., GPS, and call logs). More information about the lab’s research can be found on Whitney Ringwald’s Google Scholar page. Students will learn about conducting research in weekly didactic meetings, participate in study design and data collection tasks, perform literature reviews, and create an original study proposal by the end of the semester. Ideal applicants are interested in pursuing a research career. Please fill out the Google Form to apply. Applications must be submitted by August 19th and select candidates will be contacted for interviews the week of August 26th. Email Whitney Ringwald at wringwal@umn.edu with any questions.

9. * Volunteer or Credit* PSY 5993 Opportunity - Social Interaction Lab

The Social Interaction Lab is recruiting research assistants to assist in data collection and video coding. Research assistants will be responsible for setting up the lab space, running studies with couples and friends, and coding video recordings of interactions between romantic partners and friends. Research assistants must commit to ~10 hours of availability each week. Preference will be given to students with prior research experience, competitive GPAs, and prior experience in psychology courses. However, all are welcome to apply. Research assistants can choose to volunteer or enroll in 5993. Those who are interested should email vieth017@umn.edu.

10. * Volunteer or Credit* Clinical Research Assistant - Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Focus

The Autism Clinical Research Lab at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is looking for a clinical research assistant to volunteer in our lab. Our research focuses on clinical outcomes from a variety of clinical and community-based programs implemented with children, adolescents, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Current projects focus on mentoring, social skills, and transition to adulthood. Responsibilities of this position may include administration and scoring of surveys and other assessments, data entry and management, preparation of treatment and research materials, completion of literature reviews, email communication with study participants, and other tasks as assigned. Research assistants are also welcome to participate in the preparation of academic presentations and publications according to experience and capacity. Credit opportunities may be available. Students must be available to dedicate 10-15 hours/week to this position over at least 6 months. Preference will be given to students who can commit to a year or more in our lab. Please send your CV/resume, unofficial transcript, and a letter of introduction and interest to Dr. Rebekah Hudock at kale0040@umn.edu to be considered.

11. View the Psychology Faculty Lookbook

Having a hard time trying to find faculty to reach out to about joining their research lab? The Psychology Advising Office created the Psychology Faculty Lookbook to show students and faculty who are currently facilitating active research labs in the Department of Psychology. View the Psychology Lookbook to see over 40 faculty profiles learning about their research interests, description of their research, their mentoring philosophy, and what research opportunities are available for undergraduate students. The Psychology Faculty Lookbook is located on our website.

Volunteer/Engagement Opportunities

12. Autism & Neurodevelopment Clinical Trainee - Group Therapy

The Autism and Neurodevelopment Clinic at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is looking for students who would like to gain experience in evidence-based therapies as volunteer trainees in our clinic. Our clinic provides group therapies to address social skills, anxiety management, and the transition to adulthood. On a less frequent basis, we also offer art therapy and parent coaching for parents of children with ADHD. Trainees would gain experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 8-25) with autism spectrum disorder and/or related neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., anxiety, ADHD, depression) and their caregivers. Responsibilities of this position may include the preparation of treatment materials, co-facilitation of therapy groups, writing of clinical progress notes, and other tasks as assigned. Credit opportunities may be available. We ask that students commit to 5-10 hours/week in our clinic. Preference will be given to students who can commit to at least a year of training. This position can start immediately. Please send your CV/resume, unofficial transcript, and a letter of introduction and interest to Dr. Rebekah Hudock at kale0040@umn.edu to be considered.

13. Virtual Visit Volunteer Opportunities for Psychology Students

Conversations to Remember is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness among senior citizens. We facilitate weekly video calls with senior citizens, including those with dementia, to create intergenerational friendships. Young adult college students will engage in virtual visits with senior citizens. These seniors are lonely and are excited to speak with you. Each video call will have 2-3 student volunteers matched with one senior. The calls will be for one hour, at the same time each week. You will only be matched for a call at a time when you are available. You must commit to continuing in the program for at least 4 months. Conversations to Remember will provide you with training and support. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please visit their website to learn more!

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.

14. Direct Care Professional - ACR Homes

ACR Homes is hiring psychology students to become Direct Care Professionals! Apply today for positions starting anytime in the next 6 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, so you could work more. Starting pay is $15-$21/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 even offer 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 wilde177@umn.edu if you are interested in applying!