With more than 115,000 psychology majors graduating each year, it is an understatement to say that competition is fierce. Whether you plan to go to graduate school or to enter the world of work, a decent GPA is not enough to make you stand out. So, how can you gain a competitive edge? Like a trusted advisor, this book steers you to the experiences outside the classroom that will help you build your professional portfolio and show prospective employers and graduate school programs that you have the skills they want--researching, writing, public speaking, and statistical reasoning. Since professional research experience remains the most important avenue for fostering and demonstrating these skills, the authors emphasize ways to get involved in scholarly research, including finding research opportunities, conducting the research, going to scholarly conferences, and presenting findings in papers and talks. The only book devoted to undergraduate professional skills in psychology, this second edition provides a new overview of the kinds of research experiences you might seek, no matter what type of college you are attending, as well as tips for writing your CV and personal statement, succeeding in classes, and thinking about options after college. In short, this consummate guide provides all the help you will need to get the most out of your psychology degree.