For many students who choose to study Psychology or Human Development, the motivation is clear: They want to help people. What’s less clear is exactly how that desire translates into a career.
At Metropolitan State University of Denver, professors Pamela Ansburg, Ph.D., and Bethany Fleck Dillen, Ph.D., are helping students find those answers through the Psyched to Work! job shadow program, a yearlong initiative that connects Psychology and Human Development majors with professionals across a wide range of industries.
Launched in 2019, the program gives students the chance to explore careers through short job-shadow experiences while building professional skills along the way.
“Psychology and Human Development are wonderfully broad degrees,” Ansburg said. “But that breadth can make it hard for students to see the specific possibilities available to them.”
What began as a small initiative has grown into a robust experiential learning program. This year, 51 students are participating and will have access to more than 100 job-shadow opportunities across about 40 organizations.
The range of sites reflects just how versatile a Psychology degree can be. Students might observe work in mental-health settings, schools, nonprofit organizations, corporate environments or even unexpected places such as the zoo, where animal training relies on principles of behavioral psychology.
“We want students to see opportunities they might never have considered,” Fleck Dillen said. “Psychology majors end up in so many meaningful roles, but sometimes as students they don’t realize those pathways exist.”
Pamela Ansburg, right, professor of Psychological Sciences, with Bethany Fleck Dillen, Ph.D., professor of Psychological Sciences. Photo by Alyson McClaran
A cohort approach to career exploration
The program goes far beyond a single day in the field. Throughout the fall semester, students participate in professional development activities designed to prepare them for their job-shadow visits, which take place in April. They build resumes, create LinkedIn profiles and practice professional communication skills like networking and elevator pitches.
Equally important is the sense of community the program creates. Students move through the experience as a cohort, connecting with peers and faculty while building relationships that can support them throughout their time at the University.
“We’re really intentional about creating community,” Fleck Dillen said. “It helps students feel connected to the department and to each other.”
The program also helps highlight the skills Psychology graduates bring to the workforce, including critical thinking, data analysis, scientific literacy, sales and persuasion, and the ability to understand and work effectively with people.
“Students often start the major thinking the only way to help people is to become a therapist,” Ansburg said. “What we want them to see is that there are many different ways to make a difference.”
Know of a good job-shadow site?
The program accepts applications each fall from Psychology and Human Development majors. Faculty and staff members with connections to potential host organizations are encouraged to reach out to Ansburg or Fleck Dillen to help expand opportunities for students.
