So, I've decided that pursuing my degree in psychology isn't going to be as lucrative as I would like it to be. Originally, I wanted to use applied psychology toward business in some way (human resources, management, etc.). However, I recently had an epiphany that my love for toys and licensed properties is so vast, that I really need to pursue a slightly different career path. Fearing my psychology degree would leave me short on business credentials, I decided to change my major to marketing with a minor in psychology (since they go hand-in-hand).

I'm a non-traditional student, so I'm learned by experience the first time around to try and get as much out of my education as I can. I have a good GPA, I'm in the academic honors program, and I'll be inducted in Psi-Chi (the International Honor Society in Psychology). I have film and television production experience (but I moved away from the coast to start a family, so this work was no longer as available). I've been an invited guest lecturer at Kansas State University on the significance of superheroes in contemporary culture for the past two years, and I have also been invited to conduct a "workshop" on the cultural and psychological elements of superheroes at KSU this spring. So, the curriculum vitae is coming along nicely.

My goal is to pool these experiences with my education and tailor my resume to suit a job in creative development at a toy company. As a both a parent and collector, I feel I have a solid grasp in understanding consumer motives, and I'm hoping my education and other experience will put me at an advantage to secure one of these highly coveted positions.

My next steps are to find: A) A couple of good places to intern at, and B) Secure a related study abroad program. Hopefully, I can intern at a couple places over the course of the next few summers (maybe 6-8 weeks each). I am also thinking, since I have a family that can't go long without me, that any study abroad must be done over winter/spring intercessions, or summer (3-6 weeks each).

My A-List for intern applications are:

Mattel
Hasbro
Marvel
DC
IDW

Those are pretty reputable places to have experience working at and I imagine the internships are competitive, but like I said, it's the "A-List." Go big or go home. As far as studying abroad, I have no idea where I should go. Will it matter? I can study business/marketing/sociology in any number of places. It's difficult to balance where I would like to go and where I need to go, that will most relate to the field in which I will be pursuing a career.

I know a lot of you here on AFI either have more knowledge about the industry than I might, or have even worked in the industry yourself. Any suggestions on internships, contacts, or places to study abroad would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!
-J