Many psychology majors wonder what they can do with their degrees once they graduate. Through the Psi Chi National Honor Society and Psychology Club, students can find the answer.
The organization, which has been part of the University since 1945, works to educate psychology majors and University students about the field of psychology and its importance in society.
“The main benefit of the organization is that it gives students an awareness of what psychology can do for them,” said psychology professor Jason Hicks, the organization’s adviser.
Besides holding regular informative meetings, the club also has its own library in Audubon Hall, offering psychological journals and literature for students’ use.
“There are resources in the library that anyone can take advantage of,” said President Janessa Marsh, a psychology senior. “Students also can use it if they need a quiet place to study.”
Usage of the library is not limited just to majors, Marsh said.
Organization members often participate in community service programs.
Last semester, students in the Psychology Club volunteered at University Terrace Elementary School for after-school programs, Marsh said.
Also, members participated in a fund-raiser for Adult Literacy Advocates in September and are planning future community service projects for the spring semester, Hicks said.
Members of the Psi Chi and Psychology Club attend the same meetings and service projects. The main difference is there are GPA and major requirements for the Psi Chi National Honor Society.
The Psychology Club allows anyone to join without being a psychology major or meeting the Psi Chi requirements, Marsh said.
Psychology professors and others in the field often attend meetings to speak about their specialties and answer any questions students have, said Vice President Melissa Simon, a psychology senior.
Often, students are concerned about what classes they should take.
“The organization gives psyc majors outlets and more info that you might not get in class, like what professor you should take, who is doing research that you are interested in,” Simon said. “It’s a great experience for us as undergraduates, and it encourages students to take the initiative and get involved in what [the professors] are doing,” Simon said.
Marsh said the organization is beneficial because it helped her to figure out what area to specialize in.
“[The club] is an asset because it is the only organization on campus that caters to psychology students,” Marsh said. “It is an opportunity to put interests together and have a psychology community on campus.”
Dr. Alicia Pellegrin, a clinical psychologist in the Baton Rouge area, will speak at the meeting.
For more information, students can check out the Psi Chi and Psychology Club Web site at lsupsychology.tripod.com.