<p>I plan on majoring in Psychology, and I want to demonstrate my interest in these areas and actually become involved. I volunteer at a Soup Kitchen now and various other organizations throughout the city. Are there any extra curricular activities I can be in to show that I'm serious about Psychology? Thanks in advance.
Btw I'm In SoCal, if that helps. </p>
<p>Unemployment club</p>
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<p>Do you have a more specific interest than general psych ? like clinical, or experimental, or school ? because that would matter.</p>
<p>Some ideas that may interest you:
Call your local Suicide awareness/ prevention organizations see what you can do there.
the group Active Minds <a href=“http://www.activeminds.org/”>http://www.activeminds.org/</a> may also find you a chapter to work with although they are a college based group.</p>
<p>If you are interested in experimental psych consider participating in science fairs</p>
<p>If school Psych is an interest work as a tutor if possible a better understand of learning and teaching would be valuable.</p>
<p>Additionally if you are really curious check out the local college research. you can do that by finding the Psych department web page and finding the list of faculty research interests or projects. If something really speaks to you Email the professor offer to volunteer.</p>
<p>Two caveats, a B.S. or B.A. in Psych is not a great platform for a job so be prepared for some additional graduate training. Next, follow your passion, do something that really gets you excited especially in EC’s because colleges will be looking for real passion and impact not just for participation.</p>
<p>Best of luck </p>
<p>Research at a local university?</p>
<p>@teenbodybuilder‌ </p>
<p>Ugh…that was hurtful, but I’ll point out that Psychiatrists make more money than most types of doctors and have a very high rate of employment, and that any job will have space for someone who is truly the best in their field.</p>
<p>As for the OP, you could start a Psychology club, a Philosophy club [Philosophy is really intertwined with Psychology], a Rare-Texts club [I live near Yale, where they have a museum full of things like the Dead Sea Scrolls and other fun rare texts, so I suppose that one near you might have some old psychology things to learn about], etc.</p>
<p>@Apollo11‌ </p>
<p>What data supports this? According to Medscape’s 2013 compensation report, 82% of Psychiatrists make <$249,999. Hardly more than most doctors, like radiologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, surgeons… They make about the same as a GP. Employment is a wash, as doctors don’t go unemployed.</p>
<p>Regardless, we aren’t talking about Psychiatrists. You don’t even have to major in psych to become a psychiatrist and you have to go to med school. We’re talking about a BA/BS in psych. Median starting salary: $35,300, (APS) and #1 most unemployed graduates. (Georgetown CEW) Hardly an attractive undergraduate major.</p>
<p>@jkpascale16 large research universities often have undergrad research opportunities. My D, a hs junior is a 2nd year RA. often a high school student can participate as a volunteer or as a dual enrollment student.</p>
<p>@apollo11 unfortunately @teenbodybuilder has a point. Without an advanced degree, jobs in the psych field are few and far between. Things are much better with a graduate degree. Psychiatrists are no doubt well compensated but keep in mind as medical doctors with internships fellowships etc they have devoted a great amount of time and money to education. Not a choice for every UG Psych student.</p>
<p>@Singersdad @teenbodybuilder‌ </p>
<p>That’s surprising. Where I’m from, most Psychiatrists are making well over 250k per year. Also, that not only doesn’t serve as a need for such a visceral statement of “unemployment club”, which frankly comes off as dismissive and unhelpful to the original question, especially as the OP has made no remarks towards not choosing graduate school.</p>
<p>@SingersDad Sorry for the late response…Clinical Psychology is my intention, and I plan to get a Doctorates in it. Thanks for the great suggestions. </p>
<p>@freedomminds I wish you the best. Considering your interest in clinical psych research is very valuable as would be volunteer experience and training which you could get through a mental health hotline.</p>