Psychology students present research, prep for careers at spring conferences

Eleven Northwest Missouri State University psychology students honed their research presentation skills and networked with peers by attending national conferences this spring.

In April, the students, under the advisement of psychology faculty Dr. Amy Barton, Dr. Jason McCain, Dr. Chase O’Gwin and Dr. Jacob Tengelsen, attended the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) Conference in Chicago and the American Psychological Association Division 24 conference at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

“Presenting at conferences like these gives students an opportunity to engage in the greater world of scholarship where they really get a sense of how big their chosen fields are,” O’Gwin, said. “They start to peer behind the curtain and see how vast the amount of information available that needs to be sifted through really is. I think it shows them how much bigger and messier research really is than what is presented to them so neatly in their textbooks.”

Northwest students presented at psychology conferences this spring, including the American Psychological Association Division 24 conference at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. (Submitted photo)

In addition to attending a conference, Northwest psychology students visited Mindworks, a Chicago discovery center and behavioral science lab.

Mackenzie Wilcoxson, a senior psychology major from Union Star, Missouri, attended the MPA conference, where her research group presented a replication study that helped solidify the validity of an original study while enhancing her knowledge of methodology and understanding of research.

“It truly was a great experience to be able to share our year-long research project with fellow scholars,” Wilcoxson said. “It was enlightening to hear others’ thoughts and suggestions along with others’ projects and findings within the field of psychology.”

Wilcoxson also said the experience helped her prepare for her career as a psychologist and gain a better understanding of the ethics of conducting a successful and useful research study.

“One takeaway was to slow down and enjoy the experience of conversing with others who enjoy what I enjoy,” she said. “It was amazing to be able to discuss things like metacognition and our processes of learning with others who knew about such topics and had great questions.”

Ali Buesing attended both conferences and said the experiences helped her gain confidence in presenting her research. The conferences also helped her make connections with peers as she prepares to begin a master's degree program in psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Buesing, an Omaha, Nebraska native, graduated from Northwest in April with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

“It was really cool to actually experience this and having people who are professors and established in their fields being interested in the work I was doing,” she said.

Taylor Stein, a native of Atchison, Kansas, who graduated from Northwest in April with bachelor's degrees in biology and psychology, said presenting research at MPA was a valuable experience as he prepares to continue his education. Stein will pursue a master’s degree in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

“We were able to exchange complex ideas with peers and faculty from other schools while also learning more about the field of psychology as it pertains to career development,” he said.

Students attending the MPA conference had the opportunity to view more than 100 poster booths and speak with representatives of universities recruiting for graduate programs. Students also visited an interactive psychology exhibit at Mindworks, a Chicago discovery center and behavioral science lab, and The Art Institute of Chicago.

For more information about the psychology program at Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/psychology.htm.