Explore Career Options Related to Psychology
Multitudes of sources are available to help you explore career options. Access books from the UoM library as well as great career websites using the buttons at the left.
Find the Right Fit for You
PathwayU offers a variety of career planning tools including free online career assessments focusing on interests, values, personality, workplace preferences, and more. Use PathwayU to assess yourself and begin your career exploration process.
Informational Interviews
An informational interview is a brief chat with someone in a job that interests you. During this time, ask questions that help you better understand the job.
Follow these steps:
Find someone to interview. Good options are to talk to family/friends, talk to your advisor or a professor, connect with people on the LinkedIn University of Memphis Alumni group, or even Google businesses and professionals that interst you.
Email the person you identified with a request. Use this example email as your template. Have someone proof-read this message if you need to.
Prepare questions to ask.
Optional: If you would be more comfortable first doing a "Mock Informational Interview," use the button at the left to schedule a time to run through it with someone in UoM Career Services.
Follow-up with a thank you email after the chat.
Networking
When it comes time to look for a job, the best approach Is to connect to the networks you created while still in school. So, building networks Is something you should begin early in your college career.
Consider these methods to begin building your network:
Join LinkedIn and follow companies and groups related to your interests.
Create a LinkedIn profile and connect to UoM alumni. Consider joining the UoM alumni group.
Set up informational interviews, and periodically reconnect with with the people you interview.
Volunteer, if possible, in areas related to your chosen field. Periodically, reconnect with the people you met In this experience.
Job shadow in your chosen field. Periodically, reconnect with the person you shadowed.
Participate in internships. Periodically reconnect with people from you internship.
If you can find a part-time or summer job in your area of interest, take that time to meet people and make a good impression. Periodically reconnect with people you met in that job.
Job Search
While you should connect with everyone in your network when pursuing a job, you can also scan job advertisements. There is a host of online tools to do this. Use the button at the left for links to these tools.
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Resumes
Find a guide to create a strong resume along with sample resumes in Career Services. Then, upload your resumes and cover letters to TigerLink for an online review. You can also schedule an appointment with a Career Specialist.
Cover Letters
Find a guide and sample cover letter in UoMs Career Services, using the button to the left. Then, get free, one-on-one consultations with trained staff to assist with the cover letters for your resume. Assistance is available through online meetings or in-person via the Center for Writing and Communication (CWC), located on the first floor of the Ned R. McWherter Library.
Job Interviews
Once your interview is scheduled, use these resources to prepare. Resources explain how to prepare, give you sample questions, give tips for during the interview, and explain how to follow-up afterwards. After preparing for your interview, be sure to schedule a practice or "mock" interview with a UoM Career Expert.
Career Closet
The Memphis campus Office of First Generation Student Success' Career Closet initiative is a suit checkout system designed to provide free access to professional attire for all UofM students. Whether you have a job interview, an internship appointment, or just need to look your best, you may make an appointment to check out a suit and return it another day. You must make an appointment and have your ID with you to check out a suit.
Put Artificial Intelligence to Work for You
When exploring jobs, employers, and networking, it's sometimes hard to know where to start or what to say. Consider asking ChatGPT or Bard to assist. These prompts will help you get the ball rolling with the chatbots.