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Preparing for a Career in Social Services and Administration
The Psychology Department offers many opportunities for students to get involved in research. Students can earn Departmental credit (PSYCH 499), for working in faculty members' labs as part of their research teams. PSYCH 499 opportunities are posted on a bulletin board in the hallway just outside of Guthrie 119 and also listed on the psych department website under Research and Internships..
Some examples of research studies that may be of interest to students planning a career in social services and administration are:
- Acculturation process of immigrants
- Family relationships study
- Racial identity development
- Effects of a parenting workshop
- Stereotyping and prejudice
- Parent/infant interaction
Typical lab duties and experiences that may be especially valuable for students with an interest in social services and administration are:
- Data collection and management
- Interviewing subjects
- Attending lab meetings
- Running experiments
- Data Analysis
- Child care/interaction
- Preparing presentations
To find out about getting involved in research across campus, and to learn about research training grants available for students, visit the Undergraduate Research Program webpage at http://www.washington.edu/research/urp/
Related Courses
Courses that may be of interest to students planning a career in social services and administration:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ANTH 207 | Class & Culture in America |
| ANTH 427 | Anthropology in Urban Settings |
| HRMOB 450 | Leadership & Decision Making |
| HRMOB 475 | Organization Development & Change |
| PSYCH 380 | Cross-Cultural Competence |
| PSYCH 489 | Clinical Psychology |
| SOC WF 200 | Introduction to Social Welfare |
| SOC WF 300 | Historical Approaches to Social Welfare |
| SOC WF 320 | Contemporary Approaches to Social Welfare |
| SP CMU 220 | Introduction to Public Speaking |
| SP CMU 384 | Cultural Codes in Communication |
| SP CMU 474 | Communication, Conflict & Cooperation |
| SP CMU 475 | Organizational Communication |
| SP CMU 478 | Intercultural Communication |
Check the quarterly Time Schedule for course availability and times.
Internship and Volunteer Opportunities
Students who participate in internships and volunteer work get the chance to explore different career options on a first-hand basis. Credit is available for this type of experiential learning, via PSYCH 497 (Fieldwork Seminar), or GEN ST 350 (Independent Fieldwork).
Psychology majors interested in the social services and administration field have previously found internship and volunteer positions at
Fremont Public Association
My internship gave me group leadership and networking skills that I had little prior experience with. It also was an opportunity to observe the day to day activities of a non-profit organization. - former intern
http://www.fremontpublic.org/
La-Ba Te-Yah Youth Home
The staff at La-Ba Te-Yah are very welcoming and supportive of student interns and there is lots of flexibility with regard to new ideas and creativity on the part of the interns.
Orion Multi-Service Center
The internship connected me to a whole network of professionals in the field I'm looking at working in. - former intern
http://www.youthcare.org/
Northwest Youth Services
This agency helps with placements in treatment foster care for abused and neglected children. Interns work as case aides, coordinating with treatment team members and spending time with the kids.
Special Tips
Look for paid student positions on campus that can help to develop counseling related skills. (Note: Applications for most positions are due sometime in Spring quarter, with appointments made for the following academic year. Check with individual programs for details.)
Center for Career Services
134 Mary Gates Hall, 543-0535
http://depts.washington.edu/careers/Psychology Undergraduate Advising
119 Guthrie Hall, 543-2698
http://web.psych.washington.edu/undergraduate/Student Counseling Center
401 Schmitz Hall, 543-1240 http://depts.washington.edu/scc/
Undergraduate Advising Center
171 Mary Gates Hall, 543-2550
Thinking about graduate work in social work? Both U.W. Seattle and U.W. Tacoma offer M.S.W. programs. The Seattle campus offers both day and evening programs, and Tacoma offers a three year, part-time, evening program.
