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Co-Curricular Record Certification in Career Development in Psychology

CCR Certification in Exploring Psychology Careers

The Psychology Department is thrilled to announce a Co-Curricular Record Certification in Career Development in Psychology.  This opportunity allows students to explore a variety of career-related topics through participation in our various activities.  This certification 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.

To earn this certification, students must complete the following tasks within one academic year (Fall-Spring):

  • Register for the CCR Certification in Career Development in Psychology
  • Participate in 5 psychology career-related workshops during Fall-Spring.
  • Attend two Careers in Mind Symposium Panels in the Spring. 
  • Participate in a 30 minute informational interview with a professional in the field of psychology or related field. 
  • Submit a 2-page reflection paper. 

The deadline to complete the requirements for this activity is June 7, 2024

REGISTER for the Career Development in Psychology Program

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

Requirement #1: Attend 5 Psychology Workshops

Students must attend 5 Psychology Workshops and Events from our approved list below. Attendance will be monitored by a Psychology Advising Staff and a sign-in sheet will be passed around during each session to keep track of participants. 

WI24 Workshops and Events:

Undergraduate Research Assistant Student Panel

  • Date/Time: Thursday, January 18th, 7pm-8pm
  • Location: McGill 1350 or on Zoom ID: 293 396 4735
  • DescriptionDuring this panel, experienced peers will share how to get involved in psychology research labs and build the skills to get involved in the research pathway.

Master of Arts vs. Master of Science in Psychology Panel

  • Date/Time: Wednesday, January 24th 3pm-4pm (Virtual)
  • DescriptionDuring this panel, alumni from psychology master's programs will discuss their graduate school journey and how it shaped their career path. Students will learn about the key differences between an M.S. and M.A., career options, and receive advice from alumni.
  • Register
Ph.D. vs. Psy.D. Panel
  • Date/Time: Monday, February 5th 1pm-2pm (Virtual)
  • Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/94259892818 OR Meeting ID 942 5989 2818
  • Description: During this panel, Dr. Chapman and Dr. Dickenson will discuss their doctoral journey in psychology and how it shaped their career path. Students will learn about the differences between a Ph.D. and Psy.D., career options, and receive graduate school advice. Dr. Chapman received his Psy.D. in Clinical psychology from the Carlos Albizu University and Dr. Dickenson received her Ph.D. in Clinical psychology from the University of Utah. 
  • Register 

Triton Research & Experiential Learning Scholars Info Session

  • Date/Time: February 15th 4pm - 5pm (Virtual) 
  • Description: Learn about the Triton Research & Experiential Learning Scholars Program at UCSD. This information session will be led by the TRELS coordinator Daniel Movahed.
  • Register 

Resume/Cover Letter Workshop

  • Date/Time: February 20th 5pm - 6pm (In-Person) 
  • Description: The UCSD Career Center will discuss how to build an impressive resume and cover letter that will help your job application stand out!
  • Register

Pathways to Ph.D. 

  • Date/Time: February 27th 6pm (Virtual) 
  • Description: Students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuorscience, or Clinical Psychology are encouraged to attend. Panel discussions and breakout rooms with grad students and professors will be offered. 
  • Register

Requirement #2: Careers in Mind Symposium

Students must register and participate in the Careers in Mind Symposium and attend at least two sessions. The Careers in Mind Symposium happens every Spring quarter only. To find out more information, please visit our Careers in Mind page.

Requirement #3: Informational Interviewing

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. 

Requirement #4: 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 7, 2024.

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 7, 2024.

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.