http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/ This upper level class concerns the nature of career paths available to neuroscience and psychology majors at Washington and Lee University. In addition to standard fields (academic psychology, clinical psychology), non-standard fields will be examined. These latter include: working with organ donation and being a web site developer. W&L psychology alumni will visit the course both virtually and actually to facilitate our discussion. David G. Elmes, Professor Emeritus of Psychology. en Copyright 2009 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:50:06 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Hi, First of all, I just wanted to thank all of you students and Dr. Elmes for a great couple of days. I really enjoyed my time helping teach the course, especially the discussion about poor designs of everyday things that you've encountered and all your comments about how you communicate. I think I probably learned as much or more from all of you as you did from me! I was looking back at the questions posted to the blog, and I think there were three folks whose questions I did not answer yet. I'm sorry I ran out of time during the class. So here are the answers online. Sallie: I learned about the job opportunity at Bell Labs when a recruiter came to UCLA. A good friend of mine at UCLA took a job with Bell Labs one year before I did, and he told me he liked it. So when the recruiter came during my last year of grad school, I went to talk with him. Most of the systems and applications we design at Bell Labs are intended to be used by "average" people, so people like Customer Service Reps, Inventory Managers, Outside Plant Engineers (remember the Steveland Morris story?!). They may have specialized knowledge in their work domain, but they are not rocket scientists. Speaking of that -- the work on the computer for the Space Station would certainly be an exception to that, if you consider astronauts to NOT be average people. We also do design some things that are products for consumers, though less of that at Alcatel-Lucent than at AT&T because ALU makes more telephony equipment (stuff behind the scenes making phone calls go through) rather than consumer products. Liz: I've always been sort of interested in technology, I guess. My dad was an engineer, so maybe I got some of that from him. BTW, though, I was very upset as a kid when I realized that he was an engineer but not the kind that drives trains. My favorite project was one that I didn't talk about. In the early 1990's I worked with a team of trainers in Atlanta to design and develop a series of interactive multimedia training courses on CD-ROM (slightly before the web became popular) for technicians who worked with DC power systems. This was an entirely new type of user interface, plus I got to directly apply some of my knowledge about human learning and memory (though the trainers knew a lot too), plus I got to do the main part of the programming of the course using a very good multimedia tool, plus the people I worked with on the project were sharp and a ton of fun to work with. By far the worst part of my job was the layoffs in the early 2000's. Caroline: your question is a really hard one. I guess I'd have to say that my time at W&L was most directly useful during my time in grad school. About 40 of us started Psych grad school together that year at UCLA (in all fields -- cognitive, physio, developmental, clinical, etc.). These people came from all over as you might expect, including quite a few from Ivy League schools. But a guy who had gone to Haverford and I were by far the best prepared of the 40 because we had done so much research with our undergrad profs, and we had done so much writing in our undergrad years. We were lucky and knew who we wanted to work with and what we wanted to do. A lot of people spent years (literally) trying to figure that out. I also should say, though, that my time at W&L plays a role in lots of what I've done, and I hope I was able to show some of that during the classes. Once again, I really enjoyed being part of the class. Good luck to all of you with your papers! If you have more questions, please feel free to email me at: mikeburns@comcast.net. Mike http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/04/thanks_from_mike_burns.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/04/thanks_from_mike_burns.html Questions for Alums Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:50:06 -0500 Hello Dr. Burns, I found the "Digital Apollo" article incredibly interesting. I was wondering what you thought about how the interaction of humans and machines has played into psychology research in the last few years. I've recently read countless studies where confederates in experiments are being replaced with digital avatars, or how reseach is being conducted online without experimenter interaction with their subjects, or how computers are being used to read ratio scales at a level of accuracy humans cannot achieve. There is clearly a need for computers in this work, but at what point do we switch from humans and machines interacting as they did in Apollo, to relying on computers too much to where we take the human component out of psychology? Thanks and I am looking forward to your visit, Shannon Williams http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns_--_shan.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns_--_shan.html Questions for Alums Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:10:16 -0500 Hi Dr. Burns, All your career choices seem to deal with psychology and its applications, but in which one would you say your background in psychology has proven most useful? Similarly, in which aspect of your life has your time spent at W&L proven most ueful? Looking forward to hearing from you! http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns-_caroli.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns-_caroli.html Questions for Alums Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:06:27 -0500 Hello Dr. Burns, I was especially interested by the "Psychology of Everyday Things" reading. The topic is something I never thought of as a psychology before, but it really makes so much sense. Do you still use experience design tactics in your current position designing software tools and web-based applications? In regards to the articles about Bell Labs, have you experienced any changes in your field due to the the downsizing? Also, I noticed you have extensive experience in technological industries. Have you always been interested in technology, or did you develop your interest later in life? Finally, which job throughout your career was your favorite, and which was your least favorite? Thanks! Liz http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns-_liz_va.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns-_liz_va.html Questions for Alums Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:13:27 -0500 Hello Mr. Burns! Sorry this is so late-perhaps you can address my questions on Tuesday. The readings you provided were a great read, and I am very interested to hear about your experiences working as someone who attempts to provide user-friendly products. I have enjoyed hearing about the previous alums experiences in graduate school and how they chose their program. Did you know about the opportunity to work with companies to create programs that are easy to use? I've never thought about such a position and wondered how you came across it. Does any of your work make it to average people, or is it only for employees of Bell Labs? Thank you and I am looking forward to your visit! http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_mike_burns-sallie.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_mike_burns-sallie.html Questions for Alums Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:05:00 -0500 Dr. Burns, I also enjoyed the extra readings/podcast that you posted for us. I am fairly technologically ignorant so I doubt that I will be going into a field similar to yours. However, I would really like to hear about your undergraduate experience at W&L and your PhD experience at UCLA. Also, how do you use your PhD in cognitive psych in your work at Bell Labs? Lastly, do you have any advice for us about the job search process and how to be a successful employee? Thanks and I am looking forward to your presentations. Grace http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns_-_grace.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns_-_grace.html Questions for Alums Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:04:38 -0500 Hi Dr. Burns, I really enjoyed reading the articles and the additional listening you provided us. The recording by Cheryl Coyle from the Human Factors group made me realize how much analysis and thought goes behind creating and improving technology for people in a way that adapts to their specific needs. She mentioned her current work on the study of young adults and their interaction with communication technology. For the software that you create, do you target a specific age group as well? When you are creating your web-applications or software, is your main goal to create a product that is "user-friendly"? How do you monitor the success of your products? Do you do this mainly through direct user feedback? What are some direct applications of your Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology? Human thoughts and feelings are hard to measure. Do you normally measure consumers' thoughts towards your products through their behaviors? And how do you determine these behaviors? I am really looking forward to tomorrow, thank you! Hannah Murphy http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns-_hannah.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns-_hannah.html Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:02:03 -0500 Hi Dr. Burns, I really enjoyed reading the articles and the additional listening you provided us. The recording by Cheryl Coyle from the Human Factors group made me realize how much analysis and thought goes behind creating and improving technology for people in a way that adapts to their specific needs. She mentioned her current work on the study of young adults and their interaction with communication technology. For the software that you create, do you target a specific age group as well? When you are creating your web-applications or software, is your main goal to create a product that is "user-friendly"? How do you monitor the success of your products? Do you do this mainly through direct user feedback? What are some direct applications of your Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology? Human thoughts and feelings are hard to measure. Do you normally measure consumers' thoughts towards your products through their behaviors? And how do you determine these behaviors? I am really looking forward to tomorrow, thank you! Hannah Murphy http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/hi_dr_burns_i_really.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/hi_dr_burns_i_really.html Questions for Alums Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:53:51 -0500 Dr. Burns, I found all of the readings you suggested to be very interesting; in particular, I enjoyed the "Psychology of Everyday Things" and its discussion of the benefits of developing a parsimonious, "visible" cognitive model for the creation and use of modern technological devices. When contrasted with the articles regarding Bell Labs, this reading presents some interesting issues for the development of new technologies in the current economic environment. Given this, I am interested to hear your thoughts on how Bell Labs can continue to develop its R&D to "innovate innovation" as it has recently downsized. What specifically has Bell Labs done to continue their "progressive commitment" to research? Have they collaborated with the government or other private organizations in recent years? Thank you - I am very much looking forward to your presentation. Brooke http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns_-_brook.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns_-_brook.html Questions for Alums Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:03:11 -0500 Hello! I found the article about the Psychopathology of Everyday Things to be very fascinating and eye-opening. It is so interesting, even if overwhelming at times, to really think about the objects that surround us and how overly complicated things can be. Have you always utilized the thought processes involved in the analyses that you use in your career, or do you think that it was more of a developmental learning process, where you learned to navigate them as your career developed? I look forward to your talks! -Mary Hipp http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns_-_mary_h.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns_-_mary_h.html Questions for Alums Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:04:20 -0500 Dr. Burns, I am very interested to hear you speak in a few days. It seems like you have taken a more different and unique path in your career than others similar to your background have done. You majored in Psychology while at W and L and earned your Ph. D. in Cognitive Psychology from UCLA. What factors helped you to decide that UCLA was best for you? More specifically, how did you narrow down your options for graduate school? How do you think that your experiences while majoring in Psychology at W and L have impacted your decisions and the opportinuies with which you have been presented later on? And would you have done anything differently? And how exactly do you think Psychology is incorporated in your job today? Thank you!! Kelly Camus http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns_-_kelly.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_dr_burns_-_kelly.html Questions for Alums Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:57:18 -0500 Dr. Burns, I am excited about your visit. I would like to know about your time at NASA Johnson Space Center. I am also curious about how attending graduate affected your career. If you had not attended graduate school, do you feel like you would have the same career opportunities you have now? Thank you, Diana Burgreen http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns_-_diana.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/question_for_dr_burns_-_diana.html Questions for Alums Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:54:58 -0500 Folks, I am really looking forward to my visit to W&L next week. I've enjoyed following the postings in the blog during the term, and I know I have a lot of tough acts to follow -- I can tell that you have learned a lot from the previous visitors. In case you want more reading (and listening) than what I suggested earlier (seriously!), I have a few fairly recent web-based resources that will give you a sense of what life is like at Bell Labs these days. Interview with Jeong Kim, Bell Labs President: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/122/mad-scientist.html?page=0%2C0 Podcast with Cheryl Coyle (who worked for me when the podcast was recorded), describing Human Factors at Bell Labs: http://www.podtech.net/home/4916/bell-labs-human-factors Thoughts on the balance of Research vs. Development by a former Bell Labs guy, John Mashey: http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/r2-d2-and-other-lessons-from-bell-labs/ There is also a Wall Street Journal article that I think will give their view of the "State of Bell Labs" that should be coming out any day, but it hasn't appeared yet. I'm looking forward to reading your questions here in the blog over the next few days. And looking forward to meeting you all on Monday! Mike http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/looking_forward_to_next_week_-.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/looking_forward_to_next_week_-.html Course News Reading Assignments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:45:34 -0500 Hello! All of your backgrounds are very impressive, and I am really looking forward to learning more about I/O psychology from three different perspectives. I am particularly interested in what Dr. Levy has to say about motivation and coaching. I saw that these are two of your particular research interests, and I would love to hear more about what this research entails. I am very much involved in athletics, and coaching would be a dream job for me (or at least I think it would). Dr. Cober: I am most interested in the performance management part of your job description. What exactly does this involve? Does this mean that you are responsible for checking up on employee performance? Thank you! http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_cober_levy_and_r_3.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_cober_levy_and_r_3.html Questions for Alums Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:52:23 -0500 I am very excited to hear about everyone's work in industrial/organizational psychology and what led you down this career path. I share the same interests and questions as my classmates but also would like to hear some personal advice on the best ways we can be preparing for our search for a career after college and graduate programs. How did each of you spend your summers in college? Did you have any internships or help with research that was concentrated in i/o psychology or some other area of psychology? Or were your summers spent working more with the political/industrial side of the field? Thank you, I'm looking forward to tomorrow! Hannah Murphy http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_cober_levy_and_r_2.html http://bloggery.wlu.edu/elmesblog/2009/03/questions_for_cober_levy_and_r_2.html Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:31:48 -0500