The Psychology Club/ Psi Beta Honor Society was thrilled to host a panel from California State University Stanislaus as part of our Giving Away Psychology series. This series is designed to share information related to the field of psychology, including degree attainment.
Psi Beta Vice President Carl Hernandez moderated a panel of students and a professor of psychology. A wide range of topics were addressed, including:
- Advice for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in psychology
- The panelists’ different academic journeys
- How panelists have applied what they’ve learned in their professional lives
- What graduate programs look for in students who are applying to them
Attendees provided the following feedback:
“One of the most valuable things I learned was how nonlinear and personal each psychology career path can be, especially for first-generation students. Hearing from people who started in community college, dropped out, and later returned as parents or career-changers reminded me that it’s okay not to have it all figured out right away.”
“Another key takeaway came from Dr. Gary Williams, who provided valuable advice about approaching graduate school. He explained that students should not see graduate school as their final destination but rather as a stepping stone toward their ultimate career goals….. His thoughts helped reframe the way I think about long-term academic and professional development, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning.”
“I learned that having support from mentors and friends really helps students do well in school. Many of the panelists, especially Genna, Jen, and Noreen, shared that talking to professors, joining clubs like Psi Chi, and having classmates to work with made a big difference in their journey. It showed me that I do not have to do everything alone and there are people who can help and guide me.”
This panel was the result of networking that took place at the 2024 Western Psychological Association Conference. A huge thank you to the following CSUS panelists for sharing their time and knowledge with us!
Jen Frisk, Master’s student in General Psychology
Genna Mashinchi, PhD in Clinical Psychology
Noreen Singh, Master’s student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program
Gary Williams, PhD, Professor of Psychology
Lauren Van Till, Master’s student in General Psychology
