Psychology Professor Advocates Gaining Experience As Soon As Possible
Being good at "wearing more than one hat" seems to be a running theme with many educators and researchers, and Professor Jeffrey Sherman is no exception. Not only does Professor Sherman teach at a university level at UC Davis, both to undergraduate and graduate students, he's also the principal investigator of UC Davis's Social Cognition Lab which, "investigates the cognitive processes underlying social psychology and behavior." Also, as head editor for the professional journal, "Social Cognition," Professor Sherman actively influences how researchers, students and ultimately the rest of mankind, understands social psychological phenomena on a cognitive level. A cursory glance through their lab's current research can attest to that fact as well.
What does your job entail?
"[My job involves] teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at UC Davis and conducting research to understand the psychology of social perception. I also serve the university and my profession by participating in various committees and professional roles."
What parts of your job do you enjoy?
"[I enjoy] the independence. I have a very broad latitude to teach and do research on the things that interest me the most. I have no formal 'boss,' and no set work hours, which makes the job extremely flexible. Like most academics, I work long hours, but I get to choose when to work those hours and what to work on.
I also love teaching excited students and introducing them to important psychological processes. It is gratifying when students pursue psychology further after they finish their degrees at UCD."
What was your education history like?
"I completed my undergraduate work at U.C. Berkeley. From there, I went to UC Santa Barbara to obtain my Doctorate of Philosophy."
Do you think your education has prepared you for your current position?
"Certainly. I would not have been able to attain my position without my education."
Any advice for someone pursuing a similar career?
"Do what you love. Work hard. Start gaining experience ASAP."
Paulo Acoba is a California native raised in the Bay Area and living in the Central Valley. He enjoys distance running, cycling and grassroots motorsports. He holds a degree in management from the University of California Merced. Paulo has been writing for Examiner.com since 2012 and covering the Fresno area.