Inside the Life of a Psychology Student – William & Alex #7
Today we have two psychology students joining us. One of our students is from the USA, and one is form the UK, so a great chance to learn about students all over the world! The first student joining us is William Rozum, he is a sophomore currently studying psychology at Utah State University. He’s required to have a minor, but hasn’t decided on one yet. He’s thinking of a general business minor or possibly a political science one.
The second joining us is Alex Smith, a Second year MA Psychology student at Aberdeen University in Scotland.
We will be asking these two about their interest in psychology, their courses, their career aspirations and for some advice for you guys!
Firstly, their courses.
Us: How’s the program like and cost?
WR: The program is very good at teaching and giving experience in research based concepts in the field of psychology. I’m enjoying it because of how well rounded it is. The cost is usually a little more than $3,000 a semester, but I get a half tuition due to a parent working at the university.
Us: How’s the education?
WR: The education is very good. They teach many skills and it’s usually taught by experts in the feild (Health psychology is taught by a health psychologist) or someone who has a lot of experience if it’s more general.
Us: Is there something you’d like to study not within your programme?
WR: I think my program has everything that I’m interested in.
Us: How’s the program like and cost?
AS: The program is absolutely amazing in my opinion. The cost varies. If you are Scottish or from the EU it is free. If you are English its £9000 per year and if you are an international student it could be around £12600 per year.
Us: How’s the education?
AS: The professors are excellent and knowledgeable in their respective fields. They are keen on helping motivated students. We have a tutoring programme in which each students has a professor as a tutor and you can ask him for help and advice whenever you want. The program also has a two hour practical session once a week, in which the professor teaches you how to write a report or set up an experiment among other things..
Us: Have you had much career advice or training in your programme
AS: Our programme gives us a lot of career advice. During our first year several professionals in psychology gave us lectures and talked about their respective fields. We had clinical, environmental, health and educational psychology. We also have our tutors who can help us with all the steps that we need to fulfil in order to achieve our goals.
Next, we’ll ask about their interest in psychology.
Us: What is your favourite topic within psychology?
WR: I think my favorite topic in psychology would have to be anything abnormal, behavior analysis, or research design related. It’s always changing, though!
Us: How long have you been interested in it?
WR: My first interest in psychology or anything mental health or behavior related was about six years ago.
Us: What got you interested in psychology?
WR: Something that got me interested in psychology was witnessing the abnormal side of it on family and friends. It made me want to understand more and have the ability to someday make a difference.
Us: What is your least favourite topic in psychology?
AS: I am not very keen on evolutionary psychology
Us: What got you interested in psychology?
AS: What got me interested was a very personal experience, where I went through a hard patch at school and a psychologist helped me understand what I was going through. And since then I have always wanted to be a psychologist.
Us: How long have you been interested in it?
AS: I have been interested in psychology for about 8 years now
Then, we asked about career aims, and how they have attempted to achieve these aims.
Us: What’s your goals in terms of career?
WR: I’m currently unsure of what specific subspecialty of psychology I wish to go into, but I would love to do mostly clinical work with teaching and research on the side.
Us: What do you look to do after your degree, further study or work, or something else?
WR: I plan to go to graduate school after I get my degree. I hope to get a Ph.D.
Us: What, outside of your degree, have you done to further your interest or career in psychology?
WR: I’ve been doing undergraduate research in the psychology department and have been assisting with studies on dementia. This isn’t required, but I do it because it’s interesting and because it’s good experience to have. It’s also really fun.
Us: What’s your goals in terms of career?
AS: My long term goal is to specialize in adult psychology and become a military psychologist in the British Army and subsequently, work at NATO.
Us: What do you look to do after your degree, further study or work, or something else?
AS: After my degree I would like to do a Masters in War and Psychiatry course while working and afterwards do a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and hopefully work afterwards.
Us: What, outside of your degree, have you done to further your interest or career in psychology?
AS: I volunteer once a week at the Children’s Hospital. I get to spend time with them and with their families and give them the support they need.
And finally, there advice for you!
Us: Whats one thing a student should know about studying psychology?
WR: Psychology students should know about the importance in Statistical analysis and proper research methods. Also, Psychology is a DEVELOPING feild of study. Not all the answer are known OR correct.
Us: And what’s one thing a student should know about studying at University
AS: It’s a lot of hard work. As I previously said, get organised and create a balance between studying and taking care of yourself, if not it will be a very hard time for you.
Hope you enjoyed our article! Look out for the next one 🙂
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