Psychology Professor's Work Preaches The Importance Of Higher Education
With more than 60 published studies under his name, one book edited, one book soon to come out, and half a dozen articles and book chapters contributed to, Sacramento Psychology Professor Emilio Ferrer has added quite a lot in the past decade to the field of psychology. After spending seven years as a high school teacher in Spain, Ferrer came to the United States to pursue higher education that includes a master's degree in social psychology of sports and physical activity from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D from the University of Virginia in quantitative psychology. Teaching at UC Davis since 2003, Ferrer has solidified himself as a tenured faculty member and a valued participant in the field of psychology.
Currently, Ferrer's time is divided between teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in quantitative methodology and statistics and crafting quantitative models to psychological research. His work hasn't gone unnoticed as Ferrer has received numerous awards and grants, his latest being the "Raymond B. Cattell Early Career Research Award for contributions to multivariate psychology" in 2013. When submitting responses for his interview, his responses were brief and to the point. If you look close enough, you can find someone who personifies the importance of higher education and giving back to the greater good through one's work.
What does your job entail?
"I teach courses in quantitative methodology and statistics, and work developing and applying quantitative models to psychological research."
What do you enjoy most about your job?
"Working with students and colleagues trying to find out suitable solutions for research problems."
Has your education helped you in your current profession?
"Yes. I was fortunate to have very good mentors who prepared me and gave me many opportunities to be competent at my job."
What was your teaching history before your current position?
"I was a high school teacher in Spain for seven years before deciding to pursue graduate work and come to the United States."
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to pursue a similar career?
"Be passionate, work hard, and persevere."
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.
