For my practicum, I took CPSP359S - Advanced Practicum: Research; Discovery Research. In this class, the overarching goal was to give a detailed research presentation centered around a research question that was developed early on in the semester. The final assignment is a complete Research Portfolio where I will have to evaluate the feedback that has been provided to me on multiple assignments throughout the semester, reflect on the entirety of my research topic, as well as provide commentary on classmates’ presentations. Some of the assignments that I had to complete throughout the class were an annotated bibliography, a prospectus, which I had never done before, and the aforementioned and upcoming portfolio.
I found the practicum through a quick lecture last semester with a supervisor when discussing the options for the practicum. Obviously, the options were a bit abridged given the COVID-19 pandemic, but I may have kept my practicum option regardless. My best piece of advice in regards to identifying a practicum site would be to contact a supervisor for options and opinions. The easiest way to do so would be to email or talk to a professor/assistant, as they know what the requirements and options are when it comes to the practicum.
Personally, I learned a lot from my practicum. In a more literal, class-based sense, I gathered a solid understanding of the research process, and how to properly research sources, conduct my own survey, and narrow down a research topic to where it is a digestible and approachable one. Additionally, I learned how to be more comfortable presenting, fielding questions, and the best ways to be critical of my work throughout , all skills that are highly beneficial not only in research and academic forums, but employment opportunities, as well. I learned how to handle a long-term assignment and plan, as well. This was something I have had to deal with throughout college, but the magnitude of the project and work was an adjustment compared to everything else I’ve done so far.
In my opinion, I have grown a lot as both a person and a student. Personally, I feel as if I’ve become a lot more mature as a student. This semester was a major jump in responsibility, class load, and planning for the future. It required me to really push myself in certain aspects and begin to take a longer-term view than I have until this point. I also found out that I really enjoy the research process and gathering my own data for a reason I can’t quite articulate outside of saying it’s oddly fulfilling. Although the other semesters have been taxing in their own ways, this one has been the most mentally stressful so far due to COVID and a multitude of other factors. It feels like a major accomplishment getting through it and still managing my workload and life well, and my project being centered around COVID and mental health strikes me as fitting. My final research presentation sums up all of these factors, and presented me an opportunity to grow and branch out in uncomfortable ways that I had not previously been exposed to.
This experience will be able to play a large role in my life moving forward. In my educational career, the knowledge and understanding of research will allow me to be better prepared for potential research classes/internships. Additionally, this style of presentation allowed me to write and research in a different way than I am used to, which will also be translatable to future classes. It also provided me with another chance to practice my public speaking skills, albeit in a weird environment, but more practice will be beneficial for my career.
For the rest of my UMD career, I'm looking to have at least one internship completed, preferably in the summer headed into my senior year (2022-23). If possible, I’d like to partake in a research opportunity as well, but that may be more difficult to do. I also want to enjoy more social events given that I have a year or so of lost time to make up. I’d like to participate in more clubs, as well. I just want to make the most of my last two years at college and set myself up for success in the future. When it comes to life after my time as an undergrad at UMD, I honestly haven’t given it a world of thought, but I do have an idea. I’m likely to pursue my Master’s, either here or at a school closer to home to keep things more affordable. From there, I’m likely to pursue a job as a therapist if possible. At some point way down the line, I intend on getting my Ph.D, but I’m not too worried about that just yet. All of which will probably take place while I live with my family because things are expensive and I do not have much in the way of money.
I found the practicum through a quick lecture last semester with a supervisor when discussing the options for the practicum. Obviously, the options were a bit abridged given the COVID-19 pandemic, but I may have kept my practicum option regardless. My best piece of advice in regards to identifying a practicum site would be to contact a supervisor for options and opinions. The easiest way to do so would be to email or talk to a professor/assistant, as they know what the requirements and options are when it comes to the practicum.
Personally, I learned a lot from my practicum. In a more literal, class-based sense, I gathered a solid understanding of the research process, and how to properly research sources, conduct my own survey, and narrow down a research topic to where it is a digestible and approachable one. Additionally, I learned how to be more comfortable presenting, fielding questions, and the best ways to be critical of my work throughout , all skills that are highly beneficial not only in research and academic forums, but employment opportunities, as well. I learned how to handle a long-term assignment and plan, as well. This was something I have had to deal with throughout college, but the magnitude of the project and work was an adjustment compared to everything else I’ve done so far.
In my opinion, I have grown a lot as both a person and a student. Personally, I feel as if I’ve become a lot more mature as a student. This semester was a major jump in responsibility, class load, and planning for the future. It required me to really push myself in certain aspects and begin to take a longer-term view than I have until this point. I also found out that I really enjoy the research process and gathering my own data for a reason I can’t quite articulate outside of saying it’s oddly fulfilling. Although the other semesters have been taxing in their own ways, this one has been the most mentally stressful so far due to COVID and a multitude of other factors. It feels like a major accomplishment getting through it and still managing my workload and life well, and my project being centered around COVID and mental health strikes me as fitting. My final research presentation sums up all of these factors, and presented me an opportunity to grow and branch out in uncomfortable ways that I had not previously been exposed to.
This experience will be able to play a large role in my life moving forward. In my educational career, the knowledge and understanding of research will allow me to be better prepared for potential research classes/internships. Additionally, this style of presentation allowed me to write and research in a different way than I am used to, which will also be translatable to future classes. It also provided me with another chance to practice my public speaking skills, albeit in a weird environment, but more practice will be beneficial for my career.
For the rest of my UMD career, I'm looking to have at least one internship completed, preferably in the summer headed into my senior year (2022-23). If possible, I’d like to partake in a research opportunity as well, but that may be more difficult to do. I also want to enjoy more social events given that I have a year or so of lost time to make up. I’d like to participate in more clubs, as well. I just want to make the most of my last two years at college and set myself up for success in the future. When it comes to life after my time as an undergrad at UMD, I honestly haven’t given it a world of thought, but I do have an idea. I’m likely to pursue my Master’s, either here or at a school closer to home to keep things more affordable. From there, I’m likely to pursue a job as a therapist if possible. At some point way down the line, I intend on getting my Ph.D, but I’m not too worried about that just yet. All of which will probably take place while I live with my family because things are expensive and I do not have much in the way of money.