HWS News
23 September 2024 • Alums Psyched Up for Post-Grad Opportunities By Andrew Wickenden '09
Recent psychological science graduates reflect on the ways that research, coursework and faculty mentorship shaped their experiences on campus.
At HWS, students majoring in psychological sciences explore the human mind and behavior with hands-on opportunities to observe, test, study and research various components of the discipline. Equipped with degrees in psychological science, graduates translate their academic training into meaningful contributions in diverse professional environments.
“One of the qualities that distinguishes HWS is the close mentoring relationships and the collaborative research partnerships between faculty and students that produce high quality scholarship,” says Professor of Psychological Science Julie Kingery, who regularly works with student researchers on her ongoing studies of mindfulness. “During my time at HWS, students have been invaluable to the success of my scholarly endeavors, which have led to students serving as co-authors on both professional conference posters and research publications. The data analysis, writing and critical thinking skills that research requires are relevant to many post-graduate career paths and helps to ensure that Psychological Science majors are competitive applicants for internships, jobs, and graduate programs in a variety of fields. Our alums have garnered an impressive track record of success in fields such as clinical and school psychology, neuroscience, social work, law school, and various health professions, to name just a few!”
A group of Kingery’s former research students, all coauthors on recently published articles, are now stepping into the professional world. Here, they reflect on the ways their HWS education, including classroom learning and research, has helped prepare them for their current roles.
Katie Brown ’23
Post-Baccalaureate Child and Adolescent Clinical Fellow, McLean Hospital in Boston
Major: Psychological Science
Minor: Child Advocacy
“I had the opportunity to help Professor Kingery on a research project examining how cognitive distortions mediate the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and psychological distress. The following year, she supported me and my classmate in coming up with our own research idea, looking at how dispositional mindfulness, anxiety and depression predicted college students’ sleep during COVID-19. Both projects gave me the necessary experience needed to be a competitive applicant outside of HWS and prepared me to join the field of psychology by solidifying my research interests early. I am currently in the process of applying to clinical and counseling psychology doctorate programs for fall of 2025.”
Izzy Friedman ’23
Clinical Research Coordinator at Boston Children’s Hospital
Major: Psychological Science
Minor: Child Advocacy
“I have excelled in my current position due in large part to the mentorship of Professor Julie Kingery and the Department of Psychology at HWS. My first experience in 2019 in Intro to Psych I learned so much about the development of children, from birth through adolescence, which is now the population I work with every day. Additionally, my time at HWS was research intensive. I spent two years working on research proposals, one of which was accepted as a poster in the Eastern Psychological Association Conference in Boston 2023. Doing the nitty gritty work of spss [statistics software], outlining papers, or reading and researching previously studied topics prepared me more than I ever could have imagined. I developed skills that allow me to interpret and understand the data I view in my current position. Today, I deal with babies who are one-day old, to kids all the way to 18 years old. I interact with them and their families, and it is important to be someone who these people feel comfortable around."
Kevin Lassman ’24
Professional Hockey Player, Knoxville Ice Bears in the Southern Pacific Hockey League
Major: Psychological Science
Minor: Management and Entrepreneurial Studies
“My experience as a psych major was awesome. I was able to explore a discipline that I really enjoyed and was excited to learn about every day. As an athlete, we are always focused on the physical ways to improve performance and how those can help you become a better athlete. Professor Kingery opened up a whole different side to improving my athletic performance through mindfulness. Before both National Championship games (and almost every game I played after learning about mindfulness) I did breathing exercises to help ground myself and live in the present moment. In my research, I explored the facets of dispositional mindfulness that predict symptoms of anxiety, depression, and aspects of sleep among college students. I recently signed a pro contract for the Knoxville Ice Bears in the Southern Pacific Hockey League and hope to one day become a sports psychologist.”
Molly Moore ’22
Ph.D. Candidate in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology at the University at Buffalo
Past position: Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania,
Major: Psychological Science
Minors: Biology and Writing Colleague
“The opportunity that Professor Kingery gave me to work on her mindfulness research provided me with firsthand experience on the process of research, conducting literature searches, and writing academic papers. The skills I learned helped prepare me for the studies that I contributed to at Penn Medicine’s Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, and I know I will continue to lean on these skills as I enter into my graduate program in counseling and school psychology.”
Travis Schneider '21
J.D. Candidate at Emory University School of Law
Major: Psychological Science
Minor: Economics
"My experience at HWS as a psychology major was essential in many regards. Working with Professor Kingery was invaluable in developing many skills that I find myself relying on every day. The research being conducted by Professor Kingery was innovative, intriguing, and challenging. As a student lab member, her guidance and mentorship forced me to critically think, work efficiently, and develop strong habits. As a law student, this foundation was something I leaned on in almost all respects."
Top: Professor of Psychological Science Julie Kingery teaches in Gulick Hall.
