San Francisco Psychology Expert Advises Students To Pick What They're Good At
Psychology students in San Francisco have a variety of career opportunities once they complete their studies. But according Dr. Naoisé O'Reilly, students don't need to just study, they also need to find experiences along the way to help them really learn by application. Currently working with staff at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Lab, Dr. O'Reilly is a world-renowned psychology expert and expression developer who co-founded The Forever Method, along with her distinguished colleague Marie O'Riordan.
How does your education relate to your current profession?
"My training has allowed me to develop my own methods and analyze the results when applied. As education and students have always been my passion, I have had access to teach and tutor all ages from elementary right through to postdoctoral students. I'm a firm believer that you don't need to just study - you need to find experiences along the way to help you really learn by application."
What type of services do you provide?
"Through my own methods of psychological profiling, I help students of all ages, backgrounds and levels reach their potential. I currently work with students from 18-month-old babies to 22 years of age. Many of them are dyslexic, like myself, or have other learning difficulties. I devise specially custom created programs of education to help them read, write and achieve in hours."
What advice can you share for those interested in a career in psychology?
"My advice for any student wishing to pursue a career is to pick what you like and what you are good at. I seldom recommend that any student take the 'normal' route and simply get a degree in a title. Think about where, what and who you would like to apply your psychology interest to. Children, adults, business world, sport, animals or computer games? Whatever it is, you'll find that there is a market for your interest in our complex society. Pick a general area of study and start getting exposure and experience in your niche. If it is teenagers you are interested in, start in the local community halls. If it is animals, get a job at a local zoo."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.