Students Can Learn About Careers in Psychology

October 29, 2012 - A panel of experts will provide Brevard Community College students with a wide-ranging view of career opportunities in psychology during a special Nov. 5 forum on the Melbourne Campus.

The “Careers in Psychology” event will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. in the campus’ auditorium, with eight top professionals offering their insights into the field.

The areas discussed will include criminal justice, adult and adolescent psychiatry, women’s issues, human services, Alzheimer’s disease and holistic approaches to mental health care.

“This is a unique chance for students to get a close look at the diverse career fields that exist within psychology, including time to meet the speakers and ask them questions. I strongly encourage students to attend,” said Associate Professor Barbara Kennedy.

The event is sponsored by the BCC Psychology Connection program and is part of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Major Area of Interest Project.

The goal is to create ways for students to share information, ideas and interact with professors and professionals online and in face-to-face settings.

The panel includes:
•    Jo Ellen Diers, LMHC
Ms. Diers was contracted as the Clinical Director of Yellow Umbrella in August of this year. She is a licensed mental health counselor and was a guidance counselor for Brevard Public Schools for the past 9 years. She has been an outreach counselor, family counselor, and intake counselor for Circles of Care for a total of 6 years. She has also been a private investigator, juvenile probation counselor, wilderness stress program coordinator, classification officer, Brevard Helpline/SOS counselor, and had 3+ years as a paid firefighter and emergency medical technician.  

•    Vanessa Edkins, Ph.D.
Dr. Edkins is Chair of the Undergraduate Psychology Program and an Assistant Professor at Florida Institute of Technology. She earned her Ph.D. in social psychology, with a legal psychology focus, from the University of Kansas in 2007 and teaches mainly in the Forensic Psychology B.A. program at Florida Tech. Dr. Edkins researches and publishes in the areas of juror decision making, plea bargaining, discrimination in the legal system, and sexual harassment/employment discrimination.

•    Jenny Gessler, Ph.D.
Dr. Gessler, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, with a doctorate in Sexology. She has worked in human services, specifically related to women’s issues for the last 22 years. She has served as the Executive Director for the Women’s Center since 1993, and is an adjunct faculty member at Webster University.

•    Jeremy Long LMHC, CET
Mr. Long is a licensed mental health counselor and certified e-therapist in the State of Florida. Jeremy enjoys working with clients of all ages. Jeremy believes that a holistic approach is the best way to help clients over the long term; improving their spiritual, mental, physical and social-relational health.

•    Gary S. Mosher, M.D.
Dr. Mosher has been in practice for 24 years and has resided the last 20 years in Brevard County. He is Board Certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Mosher is a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Miami School of Medicine.  

•    Paul Seitz MSW, LCSW, CCM
Mr. Seitz graduated from Adelphi University with a Master’s in Social Welfare. Mr. Seitz is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and a nationally Certified Case Manager. Mr. Seitz’s has more than 21 years’ experience in counseling and administration both in the “for profit” and “not for profit” venues and is co-founder and therapist for the Center for Life Enhancement.  

•    Frank Webbe, Ph.D.
Dr. Webbe earned his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Florida and was on the faculty of the University of Mississippi before joining the Florida Institute of Technology, where he is professor of psychology. He was co-founder of the East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic in 1991, and conducts research on assessment methods for Alzheimer’s disease as well as on the use of innovative technology for assisting caregivers. In 2009, Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to Florida’s Alzheimer Disease Advisory Committee, which he now chairs. He has published widely in both sport concussion and Alzheimer’s disease journals.

•    Jessica L. Wildman, Ph.D.
Dr. Wildman, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Industrial Organizational Psychology program and a Research Associate for the newly established Institute for Cross Cultural Management at the Florida Institute of Technology. She earned her PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2011. Since 2007, she has co-authored nine book chapters and nine published/in-press peer-reviewed journal articles and has personally presented over fifteen times at professional conferences.
   
For more information, contact Associate Professor Barbara Kennedy at 321=433-5326 or kennedyb@brevardcc.edu.

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