PSYC*3470 - Putting Psychology to Work

Course Description

This course provides students with the opportunity to prepare for the transition to post-graduate programs and work, by exploring psychology as it relates to work. Topics include: the history of work and industrial psychology, career management, job analysis, recruitment, selection, employment law, compensation and benefits, performance appraisal, training and development, as well as succession planning.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

1. Identify Human Resource functions within organizations (such as: career management, job analysis, recruitment, selection, employment law, compensation and benefits, performance appraisal, training and development) for the purposes of your own professionalization.
2. Examine a range of theories that have been applied to study careers, and apply those theories to understanding a variety of career journeys.
3. Describe your own goals with respect to a career in Psychology or a related field, declare what you need to accomplish with respect to achieving your career goals, and articulate the steps to achieve those goals.
4. Engage with diverse professional community members with careers in Psychology or related fields to identify learning opportunities to develop both within and beyond the program.
5. Navigate professional social media as it relates to the job search process.
6. Craft a resume that reflects key education, experiences, and other pertinent information to support job search processes.
7. Conduct, participate in, and critique the employment interviewing process and the factors that contribute to effective presentation in these processes.
8. Write an essay presents your career process and reflection throughout both the course and your Psychology degree at the University of Guelph.

Course Topics

• Interests and careers
• Theories of careers
• Careers as relationships
• Career theories and application to practice
• Researching careers related to psychology
• The HR perspective on job search
• The job application process
• Compensation, benefits and negotiating salaries
• Learning in the workplace
• Transitioning to work

Assessment