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Career Development in Psychology 

Co-Curricular Record Certification

CCR Certification in Exploring Psychology Careers

The Career Development in Psychology Program is a one-year professional development opportunity designed to help Psychology students explore career pathways, the graduate school process, and other career-related topics.   

Students who complete this program will earn a certification that will appear on a student's Co-Curricular Record, which students can choose to send along to companies or graduate schools, along with their transcript.

The Career Development in Psychology Programs helps participants: 
  • Identify a range of career paths within psychology and related fields.

  • Develop professional skills (e.g., career exploration, resume building, interviewing, graduate school preparation) through active participation in workshops and events.

  • Conduct an informational interview with a psychology professional to gain insight into career pathways, professional skills, and industry expectations.
  • Understand the Career Center resources and campus programs available to enhance students' career development. 

  • Reflect on personal growth, career readiness, and next steps through a written reflection.

  • Demonstrate engagement in co-curricular learning by earning a CCR Certification that can be shared with employers and graduate schools.

Important Dates: 
Registration Deadline: October 31, 2025

Program Starts: October 8, 2025

Program Ends: June 12, 2026

Information Session: October 1, 2025

Career Development in Psychology Information Session
Date/Time: October 1, 2025, 1-2pm (Virtual)
Description: The Career Development in Psychology Program is designed to help you gain valuable skills, explore career options, and build connections—all while earning official recognition on your Co-Curricular Record (CCR). Your CCR is a great way to showcase your involvement and achievements to graduate schools and employers, alongside your transcript. 
Attend our information session to learn more!
Register 

Register for the Program

Students interested in registering for the Career Development in Psychology Program must complete this form. 

Registration Deadline: October 31, 2025

Program Requirements

To complete the program and receive a certification, students must complete the following requirements within one academic year (Fall-Spring):
  • Register for the CCR Certification in Career Development in Psychology in the Fall
  • Complete any 5 Elective workshops from our approved list
  • Attend 2 Careers in Mind Panels 
  • Complete a 30-minute informational interview with a professional in the field of psychology 
  • Submit a 2-page reflection paper

Note: Participants may be expected to complete a pre-assessment, post-assessment, and a post-session feedback form. 

Elective Workshops (Choose Any 5)

Students must attend any 5 Workshops from our approved list below.

FALL 2025:

Career Center Resources & Handshake Overview 

  • Date/Time: October 8th 12pm-1pm
  • Location: Career Center Horizon Room 
  • Description: This session provides an in-depth look at the wide range of services available to students, including one-on-one advising, drop-in support, career fairs, employer engagement opportunities, career education workshops, and digital tools like Handshake. Students will learn how to navigate these resources to maximize their career development and job search success.
  • Earn 1 workshop credit by completing this form after you attend the workshop. 
  • Register

Psychology Honors Information Session 

  • Date/Time: October 9, 2025 at 7pm
  • Location: McGill 1350
  • Description: Curious about the Psychology Honors Program? Come to Honors Information Night at 7 pm on October 9th in McGill 1350! The evening will feature an overview of the program and a panel of current Psychology Honors Students. This event is hosted by Psi Chi/ Psychology Club at UCSD.
Fall Career Fair (In-Person)
  • Date/Time: October 9, 2025, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Location: LionTree Arena     
  • Description: Earn 1 workshop credit by completing this form after you attend the workshop. 
  • Register

Resume Workshop + Peer Review

  • Date/Time: Wednesday, October 15th 1-2pm
  • Location: Public Engagement Building (PEB) Rm. 721
  • Description: Join us for a hands-on resume workshop designed to help you make your application stand out! This event kicks off with a presentation led by a Career Center staff member, covering resume essentials, formatting tips, and strategies to tailor your experience to specific job opportunities. Then, put what you’ve learned into practice during a peer review activity where you’ll exchange feedback with fellow students, gain fresh perspectives, and leave with concrete ideas to strengthen your resume. Please bring a hard copy of your resume and a copy of a job posting you're interested in applying for. 
  • Register 

What to bring:

  • A printed hard copy of your resume
  • A job posting (printed or digital) you’re interested in applying for
Fall Career Fair (Remote)
  • Date/Time: October 15, 2025, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Description: Earn 1 workshop credit by completing this form after you attend the workshop. 
  • Register
Psychology Research Opportunities (Remote)
  • Date/Time: October 28th 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Description: This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the various research avenues you can pursue, from lab-based opportunities to psychology research programs, and how these experiences can enhance your academic and professional journey.
  • Register

Resume and Cover Letter Presentation (In-Person)

  • Date/Time: October 15th 12pm-1pm
  • Location: Career Center Horizon Room 
  • Description: Earn 1 workshop credit by completing this form after you attend the workshop. 
  • Register

LinkedIn & Networking Presentation (In-Person)

  • Date/Time: October 30th 12pm-1pm
  • Location: Career Center Horizon Room 
  • Description: Earn 1 workshop credit by completing this form after you attend the workshop. 
  • Register

Psychology Major & Career Pathways

  • Date/Time: November 4th 10am-11am 
  • Location: Zoom
    Description: Are you wondering what you can do with a psychology degree? Join us for an engaging workshop designed to help psychology majors explore a wide range of career options and learn how to jump-start your professional journey.
  • Register: TBD 

Resume and Cover Letter Presentation (Remote)

  • Date/Time: November 5th 12pm-1pm
  • Description: Earn 1 workshop credit by completing this form after you attend the workshop. 
  • Register

 Professor Spotlight 

  • Date/Time: December 4th 7pm 
  • Location: McGill 1350
  • Description: Join the UCSD Psychology Club/Psi Chi Chapter for a Professor Spotlight with Dr. Lowe! We will do a deep dive into Dr. Lowe's academic background and journey, followed by an overview of her research and other involvements on campus. Questions are encouraged and welcomed!

Note: Workshops for Winter and Spring will be released at the start of each quarter.

Choose 2 Career Panels to Attend

Students are required to attend two Careers in Mind sessions from the list below to fulfill this requirement.

FA25:

  • Details will be posted soon! 

Complete an Informational Interview w/ a Professional

Students must participate in one 30 minute informational interview with a professional in the field of psychology or related field. It must be with someone who works in a career of interest to you. 

Students are responsible for identifying the professional they plan to interview and must prepare questions in advance to ask the interviewee. It is recommended that you take notes during the interview since you will be required to share your experience in your reflection paper. 

Students can consider using the Take a Triton to Work, Alumni Advisor Network,Tritons Connect or LinkedIn to find potential leads to interview. 

Informational Interviewing Tips:

  • Request an informational interview through email. 
  • Create an email that is professional, concise, and addresses why you are contacting them. 
    • Briefly introduce yourself 
    • How you found them
    • Acknowledge their accomplishments and achievements 
    • Ask for an informational interview 
  • Send them a calendar invite to make the invitation official. 
  • Do your research about your interviewee and prepare some questions in advance about their experience, their day-to-day job responsibilities, company, educational background, etc. 
  • Confirm your meeting time and location a few days in advance.
  • On the day of the meeting, dress professionally, have your questions ready, and have a pen and paper to take notes. 
  • After the interview send them a thank you email. 

Submit a Two Page Reflection Paper

You must write a two-page reflection paper about your experience in the program. 

Criteria: 

  • The two-page paper needs to be single-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, and have one-inch margins.
  • At least one page should focus what you discovered about yourself while you engaging in the program and your key takeaways from the CCR workshops and events you attended.
  • At least one page should focus on the informational interview that you participated in, and include the name of the interviewee and the date of the interview. 

This paper is due to the Psychology Advising Office via this google form by June 12, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is CCR Certification?

The Co-Curricular Record, or the CCR, is an official document sent with your transcript which taillights your involvement in activities outside the classroom.  Activities included on the CCR must meet specific guidelines set forth by the university and CCR-certified students demonstrate their mastery of a set of core competencies valuable to future pursuits. 

For more information about the campus's CCR and the certification process, please see the campus's CCR website.

Do I need to submit proof for the Informational Interview I conducted?

You will show proof of completing the informational interview by writing about your experience in your two-page reflection paper. At least one page of your reflection paper should focus on the informational interview that you participated in, and you must include the name of the interviewee and the date of the interview. 

What are the requirements for the two page reflection paper?

Criteria: 

  • The paper needs to be a two-page single-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, and have one-inch margins.
  • At least one page should focus what you discovered about yourself while you engaging in the program and your key takeaways from the CCR workshops and events you attended.
  • At least one page should focus on the informational interview that you participated in, and include the name of the interviewee and the date of the interview. 

This paper is due to the Psychology Advising Office via this google form by June 12, 2026.

What happens if I do not finish my CCR requirements within one academic school year?

If you do not finish your CCR requirements within one academic school year, you will not be eligible to earn the certification at the end of the Spring quarter. 

Students who did not complete the PSYC CCR have the option to register again the following academic school year, but the requirements that have been previously completed will not carry over. 

Can I register for the PSYC CCR again if I already received a certification?

No, students who have already earned a Co-Curricular Record Certification in Career Development in Psychology will not be able to register again.