 1. What are you doing now?
I currently work for the University of Kentucky in the department of Behavioral Sciences. I am a research assistant in the UK Laboratory of Human Behavioral Pharmacology. We study cocaine addicts, ADHD, occasional opiate users, and stimulant users. We are a clinical research lab whose goal is to find alternatives to illicit drugs and to better understand the population of users. We are not a treatment facility, but attempt to aid the treatment process through our findings.
I am also preparing for graduate school. I am applying to the experimental psychology program for admission into the behavioral neuroscience and psychopharmacology department. This program is PhD only - and after I graduate I hope to teach at another university while doing fMRI/EEG research on clinical populations.
2. How did UTM’s Psy Prog help achieve what you have become?
I would say that certain professors (Dr. MacKewn and Dr. Merwin) helped prepare me for what lay ahead in the workforce and in research. Serving as a research assistant definitely helped procure my job at UK. Because of the experience, I was able to step into the field with relative ease.
3. What advice would you give students who are interested in becoming UTM psychology majors?
I think the best advice I could give to potential psychology students is the idea that a psychology major is well-suited for the sciences and research arenas. If students want to pursue a higher education (a masters/doctorate/MD) then psychology is an excellent way to develop research skills and to learn how to adapt to every type of situation. If a 4-year degree is all you want, a bachelor's in psychology will not land you a lucrative job - it's designed more for those who seek a bachelor's degree and beyond. |
