Costs of Your Choices

According to studies of graduates of bachelor-degree programs in psychology, entry-level positions tend to pay relatively little and may be relatively unsatisfying. Although the positions, pay, and reported job satisfaction of psychology majors tend to significantly improve many years after graduation, those who enter the workforce immediately upon graduation risk at least a few years of less-than-satisfactory employment (Landrum & Elison-Bowers, 2009; Rajecki & Borden, 2011).

Although graduate school can be a route to a better paying, more satisfying job and career, it is quite expensive. According to the APA (2003), a doctoral degree results in most students entering into debts worth $50,000 to $75,000 or even more. The median debt incurred for a master’s degree is approximately $25,000 (Kantrowitz, 2011).

Using your textbook, the Internet, and the Argosy University online library resources, research choices such as entering the workforce immediately upon graduation or enrolling in a graduate school. On the basis of your research, respond to the following:

• Select one of the options: entering the workforce upon graduation or attending graduate school. Identify at least five benefits and at least five risks associated your chosen option. For example, if you choose to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, identify the benefits and risks of doing so. Cite at least two sources of this information.
• Design a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation illustrating the risks and benefits. Include at least one graph, chart, or table to add to the presentation’s visual appeal.
  • If you have chosen to enter the workforce, imagine you are designing the presentation for a job fair at which you are a recruiter trying to convince new graduates of undergraduate programs to work for your organization.
  • If you have chosen to enter graduate school, imagine you are designing the presentation for a professional conference where you hope to recruit undergraduate seniors to apply to your graduate program.
  • Include one slide with a speech or a persuasive narrative, in your own words, to persuade students or recent graduates to make one choice (join the workforce or enter graduate school).
  • Include at least one slide addressing recent trends in the job market and analyzing whether this is an optimal time to enter the workforce or to continue your studies in graduate school.
  • Include at least one slide addressing the pitfalls recent graduates from bachelor’s degree programs face and how best to avoid those challenges. One pitfall must be related to the financial risk of or the debt incurred as a result of making each choice (joining the workforce and continuing school).

Click here to review a tutorial on how to design a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

• Support your statements with information from academic sources, one of which can be your textbook. Be sure to include in-text citations and a reference list on the final slides of the presentation.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2003). Frequently asked questions
about graduate school. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/education/
grad/faqs.aspx?item=11

Kantrowitz, M. (2011). Student loans. Retrieved from http://www.finaid.org/
loans/

Landrum, R. E., & Elison-Bowers, P. (2009). The post-baccalaureate
perceptions of psychology alumni. The College Student Journal,
43(2), 676–681.

Rajecki, D. W., & Borden, V. M. H. (2011). Psychology degrees:
Employment, wage, and career trajectory consequences.
Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(4), 321–335.

Submission Details:

Background

In psychology, Motivation refers to the forces that push and pull us toward specific goals and behaviors. Motivation is generally either internal (biological, cognitive) or external (environmental, situational). In psychology, the study of Motivation often focuses on biological behaviors, such as eating and sexual expression, or achievement behaviors, such as academics or career goals. Understanding how motivation works is key to guiding others and encouraging the highest level of performance.

Instructions

Choose one of the following options to explore:

• Option A: Eating Behavior and Eating Disorders
• Option B: Sexual Motivation and Sexual Orientation

Option A: Most psychologists focus on psycho-social aspects when explaining the origin of disordered eating behavior; however, there are also biological issues which may influence disordered behavior. Explore the biological and psycho-social aspects of disordered eating behavior by completing the following items.

1. Based on your assigned readings and videos this module, identify somebiological or genetic factors that may predispose someone to disordered eating behavior. Describe two or more conclusions from biological research of disordered eating behavior. (These may include genes, brain functioning, metabolic, hormonal, etc.)

1. Based on your assigned readings and videos this module, identify somepsychological and social/cultural factors that may predispose someone to disordered eating behavior. Describe two or more conclusions from psychological or social research of disordered eating behavior. (These may include personal issues, family issues, society, media, or cultural issues.)

1. Based on your research, explain whether you view disordered eating as primarily biologically based or psycho-socially based.

Your response should be approximately three paragraphs in length (one paragraph for each item). Do not simply state your opinion on these issues; justify your response with evidence from scholarly sources, including your text. For help in citing sources, click on Academic Resources under Course Home.

Option B: Most psychologists believe that our sexual preferences and orientation are largely determined by our biology. Explore the biological and psycho-social aspects of sexual preference by completing the following items.

1. Based on your assigned readings and videos this module, identify somebiological or genetic factors that influence sexual orientation behavior. Describe two or more conclusions from biological research of sexual orientation behavior. (These may include genes, brain functioning, metabolic, and hormonal, etc.)

1. Based on your assigned readings and videos this module, identify somepsychological and social/cultural factors that may also influence sexual orientation. Describe two or more conclusions from psychological or social research ofsexual orientation. (These may include personal issues, family issues, society, media, or cultural issues.)

1. Based on your research, explain whether you viewsexual orientation as primarily biologically based or psycho-socially based.

Your response should be approximately three paragraphs in length (one paragraph for each item). Do not simply state your opinion on these issues; justify your response with evidence from scholarly sources, including your text. For help in citing sources, click on Academic Resources under Course Home.

Submit your response as a Microsoft Word document