College Experiences That Helped An Executive Director Of Clinical Services At Rethink First Succeed
Angela's psychology major and research assistant experience in Dr. Bradbury's lab at UCLA provided invaluable insights into the field, allowing her to "see what grad students do" and learn about career paths firsthand. The interviewee also stresses the importance of networking and making connections, advising students to "join clubs" and "ask more questions" to avoid going it alone.
Psychology, Research, Networking, Mentorship, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Angela Nelson
Executive Director of Clinical Services
Rethink First
UCLA
Master's in Counseling from Cal State Northridge and Doctorate in Education from USC
Psychology
Education, Technology
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Develop a strong foundation in psychology by majoring in a related field and taking relevant coursework, such as behavioral psychology.
2. Gain practical experience through research assistant roles, which provide insight into graduate school and professional settings.
3. Actively network and build connections with professionals in the field to gain mentorship and guidance; don't be afraid to ask questions and seek advice from those with experience.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I certainly attribute my passion for this industry to being a psychology major at UCLA. I took all the psychology classes, including some on behavior.
I also served as a research assistant in Dr. Thomas Bradbury's marriage and family therapy lab at UCLA. At the time, I was coding interviews and retrieving journal articles from the library. We didn't have many online journals then, so it involved tasks like copying and scanning articles.
It was neat to see what graduate students do and to ask them questions about applying to grad school. I didn't have anyone before me to show me the ropes, so I had to learn on my own.
I would advise others to become a research assistant if possible and to join clubs or organizations aligned with their future interests. Make connections with people who can guide you.
I wish I had done more of that, as I was quite shy in college. If I could do it over, I would have joined more groups, met more people, asked more questions, and become more connected.