|
|
|
Getting Involved - A Freshman's Perspective
By: Jacky Hardenburg This year as a freshman at Oakland University, I already knew that I wanted to major in psychology, but I didn’t really know where to go from there. When classes started I kind of just went through the motions, as many people seem to do at Oakland, and went to and from class without getting involved. Within the first couple weeks of going to my Intro to Psychology class, I noticed my professor kept mentioning meetings and get-togethers hosted by PSI CHI. After hearing the name for a couple weeks and getting frequent e-mails from OU’s chapter of the national honor society for psychology students – PSI CHI, I soon became very interested in what they had to offer me. The first meeting I went to was a three hour session on a Saturday morning. Crazy as that sounds, sacrificing a Saturday morning was well worth it. When I arrived at the workshop, there were bagels, coffee, and a lot of smiling faces eager to get started. As I helped myself to goodies and found a place to sit, I wasn’t really sure of what to expect. The title of the event was Careers in Psychology and I was just hoping I wouldn’t fall asleep. To my surprise, for the full three hours I was in that little room in South Foundation Hall, I was overwhelmingly intrigued with the information presented to me and the other thirty-one students who showed up that morning. The psychology professor, PSI CHI officers, and guest speakers all made valuable contributions to the presentation, as well as answered any questions the students asked. Professor Lewis, the psychology department advisor, provided a PowerPoint slideshow that explained what jobs and internships are available, which classes are beneficial to take, and other pertinent information for a psychology major. Although the range of information covered everything from a bachelor degree to a PhD degree, the focus was on the many exciting career opportunities available for bachelor degrees. The presentation left me a little speechless and overwhelmed, but definitely excited. I walked out of the get-together with over twenty papers of information and how to get started on my career in psychology. There is so much I want to accomplish and the workshop definitely sparked my interest in becoming a member of PSI CHI. The more I learn about the organization PSI CHI, the more I want to volunteer my time and do what I can to get involved. I hope to become a member by my junior year, but in the mean time, I plan to help with fundraisers or functions held by PSI CHI, post fliers, and inform other psych majors about this helpful organization. Just from that one meeting, I know what my future at OU holds for me and the options that are available to me as a psychology major. With the help of PSI CHI, I can accomplish the goals that I set for myself and my future career in psychology. |
|
|
Professor Taku is the newest addition to the Psychology Department at Oakland University. Dr. Taku received her Bachelor of Education from Kobe University and then pursued her Master of Education from Chiba University. Continuing her education, Dr. Taku obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from Nagoya University. In 2000, Dr. Taku became an official clinical psychologist authorized by the Japanese Ministry of Education and worked at various hospitals throughout Japan. Dr. Taku’s areas of research has included the areas of clinical, health, developmental, personality, social, and cross-cultural psychology. Dr. Taku’s main area of interest is qualitative and quantitative research on how people change psychologically, cognitively, socially, and spiritually after trauma or stressful life events.
Dr. Taku became interested in this area, after she had experienced a traumatic event in her life, an earthquake in her home country. Dr. Taku’s interest lays in positive growth possibilities following a traumatic event, instead of the traditional-psychology focus of the negative aspects of traumatic events; post-traumatic stress disorder. During her positive growth research, Dr. Taku discovered a key word, post-traumatic growth or PTG, that was being researched at the University of North Carolina. This prompted Dr. Taku to move to Charlotte, North Carolina to do collaborative post-doctoral research at UNC for the next three years.
Last spring, Dr. Taku interviewed with the Oakland University’s Psychology Department to become a member of the faculty. Oakland University appealed to Dr. Taku because of the department’s dedication to undergraduate research and their focus on Health and Positive Psychology, which compliments her research area. Dr. Taku plans on to continue her research, the construct of post-traumatic growth and the positive psychological changes experienced as the result of the struggle with major life crises or traumatic events. She would also like to examine how the socio-cultural norms may influence an individual’s willingness to talk about growth or trauma.
On a personal note, Dr. Taku was born in Yokohama, Japan, but moved soon after to Nara, Japan, where she spent the majority of her childhood. As a young person, Dr. Taku moved frequently throughout Japan and developed the love of travel, never staying in one place for very long. Dr. Taku has traveled extensively to 20 countries, including Morocco, where she forayed into the desert with only tent accommodations.
When asked about her hobbies, Dr. Taku explained she is an avid baseball fan, with no particular team favorite. She just loves to watch baseball and hopes to attend a game or two in Detroit. In addition, Dr. Taku is a music lover and often likes to “conduct” orchestras in the privacy of her home or office. She jokingly says she likes to think of herself as a great conductor.
This fall, Dr. Taku is teaching PSY 251: Statistics and Research Design and PSY 445: Seminar in Individual Differences and Personality Psychology. For the winter term, Dr. Taku will offer, PSY 251: Statistics and Research Design and PSY 245: Introduction to Individual Differences and Personality Psychology. For more information on her research, please visit http://sites.google.com/a/oakland.edu/taku/. |
|
|
 Dr. Kozak Presenting
Dr. Kozak demonstrated the skills gained from independent project opportunities, including insight into how to conduct a literature search, data collection, data analysis, and creating a tangible product, as well as learning how to work well in a team and having the opportunity for recommendation letters. Dr. Sifonis and Dr. Taku, as well as current researchers, were able to contribute with pointers on what it takes to get involved in research with the faculty, and how it can better prepare one for the future. These experiences make a student a competitive candidate in both the workforce and as a graduate applicant.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
 Dr. Lewis Presenting
|
|
Read more...
|
|
| |
|
|
