By Matthew Smaldone
The University of Kentucky is continually growing. Whether that be new dorms, classrooms or programs, something is always in the works. An exciting new development within the psychology department at UK is the construction of the External Advisory Board, or EAB. The EAB is a committee of successful psychology professionals working to aid and engage students currently at UK through post-graduation.
Ursula Mullins, a former UK student, explained what her experience was like at UK and how her education there prepared her for her career while making her a valuable member of the EAB. Mullins acquired both her master's and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky and now works in psychological research. While studying at UK, Mullins participated in a variety of research studies with the Center for Drug and Alcohol Research and the Center for Drug and Alcohol Research Translation. She says the graduate program at UK was incredibly supportive of her on her journey to becoming a professional.
One of the features of UK's graduate program that still stands out to her is the connections she made while studying psychology. "I still reach out to old mentors," Mullins says. She explained this is because they had such a positive impact on her career trajectory through their guidance. Mullins could still remember working with her classmates and advisors constantly to build a future. "Having a mentor work with me through graduate school and into life post-grad was a tremendous feature of UK's program," she said.
Some of Mullins' biggest advice to psychology students looking into a Ph.D. program is to conduct a "deep self-examination." She explains that one of the biggest disciplines needed to succeed in a Ph.D. program is understanding delayed gratification. "There are very few milestones that you can stop to celebrate," Mullins said. "It can be disheartening to watch friends complete their programs faster than you." However, Mullins still believes the journey is extremely gratifying and worth the wait for those truly passionate about the field.
As an early member of the EAB, Mullins gives insight on what to expect from the committee. "Our long-term goal is to act as a mechanism to engage students through their time at UK and post-grad," she says. They are striving to achieve unrestricted funding to create a more accessible program for any kind of research psychology students are interested in. Mullins is a particularly valuable member of the EAB due to her education at the University of Kentucky, which adds weight to her perspective on what may benefit students since she experienced UK's graduate program firsthand.
"I would love for students to be on the lookout and find contacts to stay plugged in," Mullins advises. The EAB is a great resource that is continually expanding its presence on UK's campus. This tool for psychology students can create a clearer path to and within graduate school and provide meaningful connections to the professional world of psychology. "I hope to advocate for the variety of careers one can achieve through psychology whether they are traditional or not," Mullins said.