Going back to school after many years. Need advice.

[JuneDreams]

I did not major in psychology. I got a B.A. in something not relevant because it was the thing to do at the time, but I never worked in that field or anything. Then I was a stay at home mom for 6 years. I recently went back to school to figure out what exactly I wanted to do, knowing I wanted to do research of some kind, so I took some courses in statistics. 

I've narrowed down my interest to a PhD in Social/Personality Psychology. 

Originally I had thought I would go more the public health route. So, I'm currently working at a biostatistics lab. Hopefully it will provide research experience - the movement on that seems to be slow at the moment. I feel nervous about this because this experience seems very unrelated to psychology research. But I don't want to just leave, I want to complete it. Afterwards maybe I can look at getting some experience at one of the research labs in the psych department at my school, although, they don't have anything for social/personality psych.

Then there is the question of courses? My school doesn't have social/personality psychology programs. They have an I/O psychology program, but that seems different to me than what I'm actually interested in. And since they say that the Master's prepares you for industry and the PhD prepares you for research - I don't really see the merit in doing a Masters in I/O psychology if what I ultimately want is a PhD in social/personality psych. I am interested a little bit in the lab they have for I/O psychology. Would experience there be useful for my goals?

I'm kind of lost about what I ought to do. How do I get the qualifications that I need to be accepted at a good PhD program in social/personality psych if I haven't worked or gotten degrees in many years.... and if my school doesn't have social/psych programs for me to take advantage of....?

 

Thanks in advance!

[JoePianist]

Hi JuneDreams, good to hear you're back in school exploring your career options! First of all, I'd like to mention that there are plenty of "non-traditional" doctorate psychology students similar to you who are a bit older or making a career shift. It's doable, and your status as a non-traditional student shouldn't impede your goals. 

Have you tried looking up other nearby colleges and universities in your area that may offer a Social/Personality Psychology department? Ideally, it would help if you can ally yourself with a Social/Personality Psychology professor who's willing to mentor you in their lab and connect you to other professors accepting students at their PhD Social/Personality Psychology program.

If that isn't an option, perhaps you can reach out to a previous psychology professor at the school you're currently attending (doesn't matter from which subfield) and talk to them about your predicament and goals. Perhaps they might be able to connect you to the right resources as well.

Best of luck, and feel free to reach out anytime!

Edited April 23, 2018 by JoePianist

[JuneDreams]

1 hour ago, JoePianist said:

Hi JuneDreams, good to hear you're back in school exploring your career options! First of all, I'd like to mention that there are plenty of "non-traditional" doctorate psychology students similar to you who are a bit older or making a career shift. It's doable, and your status as a non-traditional student shouldn't impede your goals. 

Have you tried looking up other nearby colleges and universities in your area that may offer a Social/Personality Psychology department? Ideally, it would help if you can ally yourself with a Social/Personality Psychology professor who's willing to mentor you in their lab and connect you to other professors accepting students at their PhD Social/Personality Psychology program.

If that isn't an option, perhaps you can reach out to a previous psychology professor at the school you're currently attending (doesn't matter from which subfield) and talk to them about your predicament and goals. Perhaps they might be able to connect you to the right resources as well.

Best of luck, and feel free to reach out anytime!

Hmm, I think you're right. I should talk to someone in the psychology department at my school and see what they advise. The closest school with a program in social psych is over two hours away from me. Working in their labs would be way too far to drive...

 

Thanks for your encouragement! 

[higaisha]

Don't underestimate your experience in a biostats environment (assuming you've made some meaningful contribution in the lab). It shows off your quantitative analysis skills, which social psych people (at least the one's I know) quite value. Even if the methods are different, that kind of statistical thinking ability can come in handy when you might not expect it. 

Also seconding finding a supervisor with S/P interests (even outside of psychology) at your school or an actual social psychologist at a nearby school for research experience. I don't think anything beats that in terms of applicable experience and a potential reference.