Getting Connected in the Psychology Department
Whether a freshman or senior, getting connected with professors, organizations, and fellow peers in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences can be extremely beneficial. Professors provide letters of recommendation, tips on how to do well in their classes, and advice regarding one’s future goals; organizations provide social integration and a sense of belonging, which is extremely important for maintaining well-being; and forming lasting relationships with peers provides much-needed social support. So, how does one get connected in the department?
One very important and useful way to become associated with fellow professors and peers is by joining a research lab. Joining a research lab will also aid those interested in attending graduate school, as schools often expect applicants to have some research experience. Each lab is headed by a faculty member (or multiple faculty members) in the department and made up of a team of graduate and undergraduate students. The variety of topics that each lab studies is based on the research interests of the lead faculty member(s). If one is interested in joining a research lab, the department’s advisors post a list of labs that need undergraduate research assistants (RAs) every semester. Students are often required to fill out an application and attend an interview. Upon acceptance, a 485/491 contract between the student and lead faculty member will be signed and turned into the advisors. An RA’s duties usually include coding and running participants through the studies that the lab is holding at that time. To learn more about the research labs in the psychology department, visit the “Research” tab on the website!
Joining organizations, like the Psychology Club, provides even more opportunities for one to become acquainted with the department. Involvement in an organization looks great on a resumé, but more importantly, organizations give individuals a sense of belonging and provide a support group for students. The Psychology Club meets every week and often invites professors and graduate students of the department to come speak about their research or give advice on applying to graduate school. This organization is a great way to get acquainted with peers and faculty! Attending meetings may also inspire future research interests and topics, and understanding the graduate school application process will increase the chances of being accepted. There are hundreds of other organizations on campus that provide support, service, and experience. To find an organization on campus, visit the following link and scroll down to “Organization Search” to search for organizations by letter, category, and keyword: https://studentactivities.tamu.edu/get-involved/join-an-organization/
Finally, to literally stay “connected” with the department, follow the Texas A&M Psychology Facebook page and Instagram @tamupsychology. We post about events going on in the department and College of Liberal Arts, report on research done by the faculty, recognize psychology students and their interests, and much more!
Creating connections and integrating oneself into the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences will help tremendously in future endeavors. Whether applying to graduate school or heading straight into the field, having the resources to help along the way can make the journey much smoother. Remember, there is no one “right” way to get connected, but the information above includes a few ways to plug oneself into the department.
Thanks and gig’em!