Career Roadmap
Ellen's work combines: Medicine, Education, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Hayward High School
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology, General
University of the Pacific
Bachelor's Degree
Sociology, General
University of the Pacific
Graduate Degree
Health/Medical Psychology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Doctorate
Health/Medical Psychology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Graduate Degree
Epidemiology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Psychology, General
Bachelor's Degree: Sociology, General
Graduate Degree: Health/Medical Psychology
Doctorate: Health/Medical Psychology
Graduate Degree: Epidemiology
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Got a degree in medical psychology.
2.
Did a clinical internship and postdoc in behavioral medicine.
3.
Networked with other professionals.
4.
Had a job created for me as Director of Psychosocial Oncology Research.
5.
Wrote grant proposals and carried out research.
6.
Started teaching.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
With all of that work you could have become a real doctor. Why not just go into medicine?
How I responded:
I knew that I wouldn't be a good physician because I can't stand blood. I knew I was good at psychology. With support from my father I persevered.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
It's hard to get funding for research. I can't work full time so it's hard to find a job that will let me work 1/2 time.
I have lupus and ovarian cancer so I can't work full time. I learned to cope with both and am now working on getting my energy back post chemo so I can work more.