Psychology Undergraduate Student Careers and Research Conference

Psychology Student Conference 2023
Psych-con will be held on Wednesday, October 25th 2023 from 8:30am-3:30pm in the MMC Campus-GC Ballrooms. To register, check in at the ballroom doors with your panther ID on the day of the conference.  Evening sessions will cover Research and Internship from 5:00pm-7:00pm in person also in the GC Ballrooms.  Please continue to check in this website as we update the program to bring you great resources the day of the conference. 

 

 

About

The Psychology Undergraduate Student Conference answers the question: "What can I do with a bachelor's in psychology?" This event is an opportunity for undergraduate psychology students to get involved with on-campus research, update their plans for graduation and beyond, and find job and internship opportunities.

The conference is for psychology undergraduate majors and minors as well as undergraduates pursuing other majors and students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from FIU. The event is a joint effort of the Department of Psychology, Psychology Ambassadors for Student Success, the FIU chapter of Psi Chi Honor Society, FIU Career and Talent Development and the Psychology advising team. It runs every fall at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus and in spring at the Biscayne Bay Campus.

Purpose

The student conference delivers informative sessions throughout the day which expose students to career resources, employment and internship opportunities. For example, students can acquire resume building knowledge by attending workshops and connect with potential employers. The conference also has sessions for students who intend to go to graduate school; these sessions may cover graduate admission requirements, goal-setting as an undergrad, and more. Other sessions and workshops showcase research being conducted by psychology faculty, allowing lab managers and directors to recruit students to work in labs on campus.

Reporting Attendance

Attend in Person between 9am-3:30pm (GC-Ballrooms) and be sure to check in with your panther-id for your name to be recorded and reported for attendance purposes. For evening sessions from 5:00-7:00pm you must also check into the ballrooms with your FIU credentials for your name to be reported to any instructor who requests an attendance list. You must attend for at least one hour for your name to be reported to your instructor. 

The psychology conference presents a great opportunity for employers and recruiters to meet and network with psychology majors. Each year, students have been recruited and hired on the spot for internships and jobs. Students can discuss their career goals and get feedback about succeeding in their job search.

We typically host at least 15-20 representatives from agencies that are specifically interested in recruiting psychology majors.

Conference Schedule

The conference begins with welcome and opening remarks from 9:00am-9:20am, followed by a general presentation from 9:20am-10:00am. Following the general presentation are four concurrent sessions hosted in 40 minute intervals between the hours of 10:10am-1:20pm where students have three presentations to choose from. The conference day wraps up with another general presentation scheduled from 1:30-3:10pm. The evening sessions will feature research presentations from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Please scroll through to see conference program and be sure to check out Times and information for Tabling  at the bottom of the page. 

Welcome and Opening Message | 9:00am-9:20am.

Arlene Garcia, Ph.D., Associate Chair, Department of Psychology 
Jaqueline Diaz, M.S., Director of Academic Advising, CASE

General Presentation | What Can I do with a Bachelor's In Psychology | 9:20am-10:00am. 

Vellise Pagan Grimes, PhD., Senior Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Miami Dade College

 The General presentation will shed light on options for the field of psychology after students have graduated with the bachelors degree in psychology. Topics will cover career and graduate school option. 

GC Middle Ballrooms | 

Concurrent Sessions 

Four concurrent sessions will run every 40 minutes. Students have three options to choose from for each session based on topic interests. 

Concurrent Session I | 10:10am-10:50am. 

Certification Options for Behavior Analysis

Paloma RodriguezPhD., NCBA-D, Assistant Director, Behavior Analysis, MS Program Faculty Administrator, Department of Psychology

The presentation will cover the different levels of credentialing that exist in behavior analysis. Including certification with undergraduate and/or graduate degrees. Information includes coursework and degrees available at FIU.

GC Middle Ballrooms | 
Concurrent Session II | 11:00am-11:40am. 

B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience

Leila AllenPh.D., Assistant Teaching Professor, Director of Behavioral Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Department of Psychology 

This topic will introduce students to the new BS in Behavioral Neuroscience - discussion of program requirements as well as the new courses that will be offered and the types of careers students can pursue with this degree.

 

GC Middle Ballrooms | 

Concurrent Session III | 11:50am-12:30pm. 

Master of Science in Professional Counseling 

Kristin Nichols, Ph.D., Associate Chair, Director, PCP Program

An overview of the MS in Professional counseling which consists of 60 credits of graduate study courses leading to a Master of Science in Psychology and eligibility to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. Program format, schedule, cost, application procedures, and admission requirements will be discussed.

GC Middle Ballrooms | 

Lunch & Afternoon General Presentation

Lunch will be served in the East and West Ballrooms from 12:30pm-1:30pm, followed by a Panel Discussion in the Middle Ballrooms and concurrent sessions from 1:30pm-2:10pm

Concurrent Afternoon Sessions

Last sessions will wrap up the days events. Students have two moree sessions with three options to choose one 40 minute session based on topic interests. 

Concurrent Session IV | 1:30pm-2:10pm. 

Panel Discussion: Finding Employment, Internship & Volunteer Opportunities. 

A diverse group of professionals and experts from the field of psychology to share valuable insights, employment opportunities, internships, and volunteer programs for psychology majors. This interactive session will be a dynamic platform for psychology students and enthusiasts to gain a deeper understanding of the potential career paths and opportunities available within the field.
Moderator: Yisell Cirion, M.S., LMHC., Associate Director, Career and Talent Development
Panelists
Devin Browne, Founder, CEO, Sports Konnect. 
Karelix Alicea,M.S., BCBA, ITDS, President & Founder, Lotus Behavioral Interventions 
Janet Vazquez, M.S., BCBA, LBA. CEO, Co-Founder, ABA Squad. 
Valeria Fontanals, Ed.M., SS., Founder, Director, My Optimal Child
Rosa Andrews, Outreach Coordinator, NAMI Miami Dade County

GC Middle Ballrooms |

Concurrent Session V | 2:20pm-3:10pm

 Master of Science in Organizational Sciences

Jose RodriguezPh.D., Program Director. MS Organizational Science
Lorenzo Mancini, Graduate Student, Master of Industrial Organizational Science

An introduction to the Masters program in Industrial Organizational Science and career opportunities within the field of Industrial Organizational Psychology. Graduate students will share their experiences and what they have learned in the program. 


GC Middle Ballrooms |

 Evening Presentations | Research for Psychology Majors | 5:30pm-7:00pm. 


Andrew Greiner, Research Scientist, CCF |Experience with the STP program 
Ryan Winter, Ph.D., MLS., Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Psychology| ARCH Honors & URFIU- How to build and present your research.
Karina Rodriguez, Developmental Psychogy, Graduate Teaching Assistant | Research: Eye-Tracking Students Cognition. 
MARK U*STAR |
TBA, Research Training Program

This session will feature opportunities for psychology majors from maximizing the undergraduate experience to receiving experience through research focused programs. 

Middle Ballrooms

 

Tabling Talks

You can connect with a representative from various programs or employers by visiting various tables during the conference. Tabling will take place either at the GC Ballroom Venue Foyer. See tabling representatives below. 

Program or EmployerTable Rep
Counselor Education: Rehabilitation Counseling
Ana Lopez-Nunez, Justina Vaicelionyte, Sandra Hermoso, and Allison Mayer.
FIU Law School
Ambassadors
Public Health & Social Work Jose Candelaria
Behavior Analysis Inc. Jimena Mekras, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Alyssa Gonzalez, M.S., BCBA
Lotus BehavioralKarelix Alicea, M.S., BCBA, ITDS
University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesMandi Rosen, Andrew Vargas 
First Steps InterventionsJenilee Acevedo-Medina
Sports Konnect
Devin Browne, Founder, CEO
ABA SquadMelissa Compere, MS., Gabriella Avila-Garcia, M.S.
My Optimal ChildValeria Fontanals, Ed.M, SS, Founder
NAMI, Miami-Dade CountyRosa Andrews
College of Nursing & Health Sciences 
Project Paths, GSUMikaela Fraga, Beatriz Campos
School Counseling Andy Pham, PhD., Graduate Students, School Counseling Program
MARC U*STARDe-Etta Kay Mills, Andrea Rivera, Isabella Milanes, Nayeric Pujadas
Professional Counseling ProgramAlvin "Tre" Young III
Organizational Sciences (IO Psychology)Lauren Smit