Tuesday Newsday: Tuesday April 18, 2023

Fieldwork Internship Process for Fall 2023

• Are you a PSY/CD major who is graduating next year?
• Have you taken PSY 323 (and also CD 230 for CD majors)? 
• Do you plan to take the PSY/CD 453 or PSY/CD 454 field internship course for credit in FALL 2023? 
• If so, here is what you should do....nothing yet!  We will be sending out an email in Week 4 or 5 with further information.

Research Internship Process for Fall 2023

Qualified students may gain research experience working with faculty researchers. Arranging a research internship is initiated by the student. A listing of current research projects can be found here.  Interested students will need to talk to individual faculty members about availability of research assistant positions in 2023-24.

Student Summer Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Program: Applications Now Open! $3500 Summer Stipend!

The student application for the 2023 College of Liberal Arts Student Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Program (CLA SURP) is now open! Click here for more information: CLA SURP 2023

The application is due on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. 

Available CLA SURP Projects for Summer 2023

• Please download this document to explore the available projects to which students can apply. (Click on the table of contents on the first page OR simply scroll through the document.)
• Remember that you can apply to projects in departments across the college, as long as you meet the required qualifications listed. 
• When applying, students must specify to which position(s) they are applying.
• Students can apply for up to three positions at the same time 

PSY SUPR Projects

Can Daydreaming Improve Learning?

Mentor: Prof. James Antony

Project Description:

This project aims to understand the factors leading to long-term memory endurance. Everyday learning events contain various contextual factors, which contribute to memories for the who-what-when-where-why of specific events. Each factor can trigger recall of events when cued later; however, this cue-dependence also means memory accessibility (i.e., whether memories can be retrieved) may be limited to instances when those factors are present or can be mentally reinstated. For learning to be useful across the lifetime, memories must generalize beyond the learned context or become “decontextualized.” In this project, we will ask whether contextual variability in an individual’s mental context – as manipulated via daydreaming about vacations – improves memory. Ultimately, these findings could help educational policy, such that, rather than teachers recommending that students keep the context constant between learning and tests, they could instead suggest that students mentally mix it up.

Attitudes about Teamwork Across Cultures

Mentor: Prof. Lucy Bencharit

Project Description:

Is there an "I" in team? This research study examines cultural group differences in how people work on teams. We use a mixed-methods approach to uncover the values (e.g., independence or interdependence) and social identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender) that impact teamwork behaviors and attitudes.

Memory Strategies: Mixing the Old with the New to Prevent Interference

Mentor: Prof. Kelly Bennion

Project Description:

Nearly a century of educational research has shown that one of the best ways to introduce new material is to first tap into the prior knowledge of the student. “Start with what they know” is a phrase used again and again in teaching certificate programs and educational theory. That memory is better for new material that is related versus unrelated to prior knowledge is a classic and robust finding in cognitive psychology and in artificial intelligence (AI) models of learning, which researchers often reciprocally use to make predictions about how humans learn. However, both in humans and AI, there can be unintended consequences of learning, whereby new learning causes one to instead forget prior knowledge. One solution to this problem from AI models is to weave in old information that is likely to otherwise be forgotten during new learning – and here we will test whether this solution also alleviates forgetting in humans.

Apply for a 2022-23 PSY/CD Student Travel Award

The Psychology & Child Development Department has approved the use of limited discretionary funds during the 2022-23 academic year for reimbursement of student expenses related to presenting at a conference (in person or virtual).  This award is also available to graduate students attending workshops or other professional development opportunities

Any Psychology or Child Development major, or Psychology graduate student, who spends personal funds towards such an activity may apply for a PSY/CD Student  Award. Students may apply for one conference/workshop reimbursement per academic year. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through June 1, 2023.

Please follow these steps at least 2 weeks before the event (if possible).

• STEP 1: Fill out the Student Award Application as soon as you know you will be requesting financial support to present at a conference or attending a workshop. You can request the application form from Beatriz Peralta bperal01@calpoly.edu
• STEP 2: If award application is approved, student will be emailed a Travel Request Form. Student are asked to submit this form at least 10 days prior to the conference.
• STEP 3: Following the conference, preapproved students must send the following information to Christi Brizzolara (cbrizzol@calpoly.edu).
  • Registration fee receipt
  • Description of your experience at the conference/workshop, and a reflection on how attendance contributed to your professional growth (1-2 pages)
  • If a conference, evidence of your authorship role, such as an acceptance letter or copy of the conference program that includes your name and the title of your presentation.

CCCN Expo at The Spotted Whale (Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO).  5-10 volunteers needed, any shift. May 12th 4-9pm and May 13th 8am-4pm. 

For more information please contact zabrina@centralcoastcn.org 

These are our most recent job postings. For previously posted opportunities, see here or use the Tuesday Newsday archives at the bottom of this page.

TRUST Automation: Part time Preschool Teacher Assistant  

Trust Children's Center is a high quality, children's center born out of the belief in work-life balance and the importance of our children. Trust Children's Center's curriculum incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) and the philosophies of the Outdoor Classroom into natural children's play. The Trust Children's Center is a self-run, day care center sponsored by Trust Automation. Employees of the Trust Children's Center are employed by Trust Automation, a fast-growing company in San Luis Obispo which designs, builds, and supports control and power management systems.

The Teacher Assistant position will be responsible for assisting with the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children attending the Children’s Center. Age groups may include infants, toddlers and/or preschool age children. Pay scale for this position - $16 to $18 hourly

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision of the Director, assume responsibility for implementing a quality program for young children, ages 6 weeks-5 years old.
• Able to work as a team with other teachers in a multi-age setting.
• Willing and able to fill in any responsibilities needed with various age groups when situations arise.
• Able to assist in maintaining a clean and organized environment.
• Follows philosophies of The Outdoor Classroom Project and Reggio based learning
• If asked, able to attend an evening staff meeting and/or training once per month.
• Able to take direction from Classroom Teachers.
• Able to communicate effectively as a member of a team.
• Follows schedules and directions of classroom teachers to assist in diapering, food preparation, cleaning, laundry, dishes and all other aspects of childcare.
• Understands the role of an assistant as second in charge. Communication with families and discipline of children should be roles primarily handled by the full-time classroom teachers.

Position Requirements

• 6+ units in Child Development/Early Childhood Education, with the plan of getting 12+ units. Would prefer if you had a minimum of 3 units of Infant/Toddler Studies
• CPR/First Aide certified including fifteen hours of Health and Safety Training.
• Good communication, problem solving, and priority setting skills as well as maintaining an overall positive and professional attitude /disposition
• Applied knowledge of computer software including Word, Outlook, digital photography and Excel for email, documentation and child portfolios.
• Ability to work as a team with other teachers in a multi-age setting with a willingness to be adaptable
• Ability to make decisions on behalf of children and protect their well-being
• Must be able to manage confidential information
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child
• This position requires successfully passing a Livescan background check, prior to the first day of employment. 

https://trustchildrenscenter.com/about-us/jobs

Family Care Network

Rehabilitation Specialist

Social Worker/Therapist

Pay Scale $65,520.00 - $90,854.40: 40 hrs. - Full-Time/Exempt position in San Luis Obispo County.

• Provide case management and social work services, including: case assessment, treatment planning,progress reports and evaluations, scheduling of required appointments, parent support, training, maintaining regular case notes of client and agency activities and attending multi-disciplinary treatment team or similar meetings.
• Provide mental health services, including: assessment, child and family team meetings, individual, group and family therapy, rehabilitation, brokerage crisis intervention.
• Provide transitional living services including life skill assessment and skill development in critical life domains. May supervise In-home support or youth development staff. 
• Must be able to work with clients with severe emotional needs in diverse settings, including family homes, residential care, juvenile justice facilities, schools, and other community settings.

Program Supervisor/Transitional Aged Youth Program

Pay Scale $$72,612.80 - $92,955.20: 40 hrs. - Full-Time/Exempt position in San Luis Obispo County.

• Program Supervisor shall be responsible for providing supervision and direction in case management, social work and therapeutic activities in their assigned program, including, but not limited to the following:
  • Assigning caseload
  • Conducting regularly scheduled staff meetings;
  • Reviewing treatment plans, incident reports, case notes, required documentation and related MediCal procedures and requirements;
  • Coordinating services with other FCNI programs.
• Ability to provide on-call 24/7 support as assigned.
• Ability to provide strong leadership within the organization and the community.
• May represent the agency or participate in whatever community meetings, workshops/seminars, public or private advisory boards, or professional organizations as best serves the agency, and as authorized by the COO/Director of Clinical Services.
• Provide counseling services, facilitation and coordination of multi-agency child and family team meeting and crisis interventions as assigned.
• Supervise staff in:
  • Performance evaluations
  • Corrective Action Plans
  • Provide individual supervision as needed
  • Facilitate group supervision meetings
  • Provide BBS clinical supervision within scope of BBS guidelines (when eligible and assigned)
  • Participate in the hiring and training of staff as assigned

Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator: Stanford Autism and Development Disorders Research Program

“Stanford University’s Autism and Developmental Disorders Research Program is seeking a new Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator to perform administrative support duties related to collecting and analyzing clinical data from children and adolescents with and without neurodevelopmental disorders. In particular, this position will involve the coordination of clinical trials that utilize non-invasive neuroimaging measures like MRI and EEG to develop biomarkers for precision psychiatry. This position coordinates all aspects of our clinical research, including recruitment, accurate data management and entry, collection of blood or saliva samples, collection and analysis of MRI and EEG data, and work with regulatory agencies, including the IRB and FDA. Previous experience obtaining MRI or EEG scans, coding to process complex neuroimaging data, coordinating medication or other clinical trials, and working with children with autism spectrum disorder is highly desirable. This position requires working some evening, night, and/or weekend shifts in order to obtain MRI and EEG scans from research participants after school or while they are sleeping. To learn more or apply, visit: https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/assistant-clinical-research-coordinator-19493. 

Apply: Careers in Environmental + Youth Activism

Looking for a career that allows you to learn skills in advocacy and organizing? The Student PIRGs are hiring for positions starting in Fall 2023, with some immediate positions available, to make a difference on important problems facing our communities. Apply today.

As an organizer you’ll train student activists to make a difference on key issues:

• Commit states to 100% clean energy to fight climate change

• Increase youth voter participation in elections

• Fight plastic pollution and protect our oceans

• Increase higher education affordability

• Protect public health

• Address basic needs in local communities

If those sound like issues you want to help make a difference on, you should apply for a working to organize communities to create a greener and healthier future! Click here.

Looking for paid experiences working with children? Be sure to join the Poly Child Development Club Jobs Facebook group! I know - Facebook! So old school BUT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES! :)

What Kind of Advising is Available?

I have a question related to GE requirements...

The advisors in The College of Liberal Arts Advising Center can answer your questions about General Education (GE) requirements, registration, academic planning, support services, major changes, and academic policies and procedures.Additional useful academic resources can be found on Cal Poly's Enrolled Students web page, including links to the Cal Poly catalog, registration information, academic records and evaluations, finals schedules, etc. Website: https://cla.calpoly.edu/student-resources

I have a question related to major and/or minor requirements in Psychology, Child Development, or Gerontology...

The Psychology and Child Development Department has several faculty members who serve as academic advisors for our majors and minors. Students are invited to attend office hours or make appointments with any of these advisors. For advisor contact information and office hours, click here.

For 2022-23, the Academic Advisors are:

I have a question about graduate school and/or careers...

All active faculty in the Psychology and Child Development Department hold weekly office hours to support students in talking about educational and career plans. For advisor contact information and office hours, click here.

Career Paths & Faculty Advisors

PSY/CD Advising Structure

The main roles of each of our advisors is outlined below, however our motto is: When in Doubt, Seek Someone Out!  You are welcome to contact any faculty member for support and they will direct you to the most appropriate person depending on your needs.  Click here PSY/CD Advising to read about the new PSY/CD process for helping you!

How Can I Sign Up for an Appointment?

Office hours are posted on the PSY/CD Website (or use QR code below). Unless indicated, office hours are opportunities to drop-in with advising questions, career/graduate school questions, or just to introduce yourself and chat.