Week Two Research

I quickly found out this week, that my usual ‘general’ searches were not going to suffice.  I thought about using Google Scholar, but then turned to our library resources (Leatherby Library), hoping it would yield some reliable, precise information.  Instead, what I found was 20,000 plus result all containing some skewed order of my initial search.  It wasn’t complete chaos, but I soon realized I would have to alter my search option yet again.  I recalled one of the entries from our chapter six readings.  There were several websites provided, all listed by subject.  I decided to try my luck there.  What I found, seemed reliable, pertained to my search, and the author was more than qualified after reading her bio.  I didn’t want to overwhelm myself with the information provided, and decided to do it in steps.  Because I’m researching “what I need to know to become a child psychologist,” I decided to let this initial search focus on what to do while still an undergraduate, which I am.  Next, I would like to research what steps to take when applying for a graduates program.

This text provided a great focus for my undergraduate years, as I try to pursue this career.  An item that I found interesting was, an occupational interest test, this is something I could seek out in the counselors office, to help narrow down my interests, and help me to navigate a career map.  Also, things such as focusing on a projected GPA at graduation, one being a likely GPA, and the other, the highest possible GPA were items that I found important.  It was very specific about coming to terms, if your GPA is not going to get you into a graduates program or higher, which ultimately will help me to work harder in future classes to maintain a GPA that will qualify.  Another thing presented, and that could possibly offset a low GPA, is the Graduate Record Exam.  This is the exam administered by most graduate programs with interested psychology majors.