Psychology Students Get Advice and Inspiration During 2024 Speaker Series

In Spring 2024, students at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) were treated to two inspiring and candid talks with highly regarded professionals through the psychology program’s popular and long-running Day in the Life speaker series.

The first talk, held online in February 2024, featured Dr. Chelsea Hansen, a full-time faculty member in the CUNY SPS psychology program who focuses on understanding and improving the lives of neurodiverse people and their families.

During her presentation, Dr. Hansen described her career journey, which included stints at a Center for Child and Family Services and as a substance abuse counsellor before training in Pivotal Response Therapy (PRT), a positive behavioral intervention for neurodiverse children and adults. She also reflected on her current work in higher education, which involves a wide array of activities, including course content creation, office hours, committee work, and curriculum development.

Using her own background as an example, Dr. Hansen encouraged students to try a variety of work experiences in psychology. “The field [of psychology] is so exciting right now,” she noted. “We don’t have anywhere near the number of people we need to work in the field. So, positions that used to require a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, you can get your feet wet without a degree.”

Additionally, Dr. Hansen offered advice on how to navigate through the educational system and find work, touching on everything from time management and peer engagement, and highlighting the career and counselling services at CUNY SPS.

In a separate online talk in April 2024, CUNY SPS psychology professor Dr. Rick Perrone recounted how he found his career footing. As an accomplished practitioner of Industrial Organization (I/O) who served thirty years in the US Air Force and has worked in leadership and management at various non- and for-profit organizations, Dr. Perrone originally never intended to go to college, let alone earn a PhD. But after following a girlfriend into the Air Force, and discovering a love for teaching, Dr. Perrone went on to earn two undergraduate degrees, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate. He then went on to work in child and family services and in I/0 psychology, where in this last role, he helped organizations to identify and fix problems.

As part of his presentation, Dr. Perrone shared some helpful advice for student success. One of the major productivity tips he recommended was finding small “holes of time” for coursework. For example, he would study for fifteen minutes during his morning coffee or find a half hour to write between drop off and the official start of his children’s sporting events. As he explained “there are really a lot of holes of time that you’re maybe not aware of . . . when you use those, they add up.” 

Additionally, Dr. Perrone also encouraged students to stay engaged with professors and classmates; to join professional organizations and to network; to use job boards and listings to identify key words for their resumes; to practice self-care in terms of sleep, nutrition, and work life balance; and to stay flexible so as not to “miss out on unexpected opportunities.”  Echoing Dr. Hansen, Dr. Perrone also reminded students that “psychology is a broad field . . . you can do many things.”

To watch video recordings of these and other psychology-related presentations, visit the CUNY SPS YouTube channel.

About the CUNY SPS Psychology Program

The CUNY SPS MA in Psychology online degree program prepares students for employment opportunities and advanced studies that require a deeper understanding of behavior motivations, along with strong research, communication, and teamwork skills. The program’s fully online format makes it the first and only degree of its kind offered at the City University of New York (CUNY). The online format allows students to read course materials, participate in class discussions, and complete assignments on a more flexible schedule. In addition to the MA program, CUNY SPS also has a fully online BA in Psychology program that has been ranked #8 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Psychology for 2024. 

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

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Prerna Dar
CUNY SPS Chief Marketing Officer
Prerna.dar@cuny.edu