By Chris Spencer
For The Diamondback
In 2014, the behavioral and social sciences college and the University Career Center & The President’s Promise launched PSYC123: The Psychology Of Getting Hired. Since then, the online course has been helping students carve a pathway to success in the workforce.
Getting hired nowadays requires more than merely obtaining a college degree — the professional world is a competitive space that requires a proper crash course for students to succeed, said Kelley Bishop, who teaches the course and serves as the Career Center’s director.
The process of getting hired requires an understanding of psychological principles, a reliable computer and Internet access to the online course.
“The content about psychological principles is much more in-depth than what’s covered in any workshop we provide,” Bishop said. “And while a student can on their own access all of the activities the course requires, the class has the advantage of giving it a logical structure and providing some incentive in the form of a grade.”
This class teaches university students techniques such as creating an effective resume and cover letter, gaining confidence in the job search, using social media effectively and sharpening interviewing skills.
“This course has been designed to leverage the best pedagogical techniques and approaches to engage you with the Career Center, the course resources and your classmates while giving you the flexibility that an online environment provides,” according to the course syllabus.
Students can expect the class to be devoted toward watching videos, creating or strengthening their LinkedIn accounts and searching for jobs. While students are not required to be on the campus to take the class, the syllabus suggests students meet with one of the Career Center’s Peer Career Educators in Hornbake Library.
Learning assessments, hands-on activities and “deliverables” — such as the creation and submission of a resume or cover letter — make up part of the grade, as do reflections and online discussions. Students get the chance to consider how experiences have shaped their thinking about careers, professional behaviors and definitions of success, Bishop said.
Caroline Llareus, a sophomore on the pre-nursing track, said the course is advantageous for students.
“It will be very beneficial to the student body,” Llareus said. “I think a lot of students come out or graduate from college, you know, with a good degree and everything like that. It is difficult to find jobs, and the interviewing process is difficult.”
Isabelle Jorrin Garcia, a sophomore psychology major, said she heard positive things from a friend who took the class.
“It is a good experience from the sense that they give you tips on what are you going to do coming out of school and into the workplace,” Garcia said.
