1st Edition

Becoming a Consumer Psychologist

By Ashwani Monga, Rajesh Bagchi Copyright 2020
    160 Pages
    by Routledge

    160 Pages
    by Routledge

    Written by two scholars at the forefront of conducting research on the psychology of consumers and mentoring those new to the field, Becoming a Consumer Psychologist provides a guide to what it takes to become a consumer psychologist, and achieve success in this area.

    Monga and Bagchi lay out the varied experiences that lead one to be a consumer psychologist in academia, marketing, or public policy. The book discusses the academic route in detail, guiding you on how to apply to schools, including for a Ph.D., what courses to take, and what to expect during your educational experience and after. It also discusses other routes that lead to diverse non-academic career paths in which practitioners apply their knowledge about consumer psychology. 

    The authors' guidance is backed by their own experiences as consumer psychology researchers, mentors, and journal Associate Editors; and the insights that the authors have gathered exclusively for this book from 23 other leading academics and practitioners. This book is essential reading for anyone looking to start their career in consumer psychology, and for mentors and advisors who are guiding students about career choices.

    Preface

    About the Authors

    Chapter 1. The Field of Consumer Psychology

           Who is a consumer psychologist?

           Diverse Profiles of Consumer Psychologists

    Chapter 2. Studying to Become a Consumer Psychologist

           Diversity in Educational Pathways

           Graduate Degrees in Consumer Psychology

           Coursework Related to Consumer Psychology

    Chapter 3. What Consumer Psychologists Do

           Consumer Psychologists at Universities

           Consumer Psychologists Outside of Academia

    Chapter 4. Graduate Students in Consumer Psychology

           Choosing Graduate Schools to Apply to

           Getting into a Graduate School of Choice

           Doing Well in Graduate School

    Chapter 5. The Destination of Consumer Psychologists

           Applying to a Faculty Position

           Securing a Job as a Faculty Member

           Doing Well as a Faculty Member

           Non-Academic Destinations

    Chapter 6. Continuing on the Consumer Psychology Journey

           Positives and Negatives of the Journey

           Words of Advice from a Few Consumer Psychologists

           Conclusion

    Appendix: Verbatim Responses of Several Consumer Psychologists

           A. Why I Think of Myself as a Consumer Psychologist

           B. How I Became a Consumer Psychologist

           C. What I Like and Dislike about Being a Consumer Psychologist

           D. What Advice I Have for Those Considering Consumer Psychology

           E. How I See the Field of Consumer Psychology Evolving

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Ashwani Monga is Professor of Marketing at Rutgers Business School, and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at Rutgers University, Newark, USA.

    Rajesh Bagchi is Professor of Marketing and Department Head at Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech, USA.

    "This is a wonderful primer to a profession that is one of the world’s best kept secrets. Monga and Bagchi are ace researchers and devoted mentors, and their expertise and dedication shine through from every page. I wish I’d had the chance to read this and get this sort of advice when I was considering career paths!" - Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Professor and Associate Dean, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Consumer Psychology

    "I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well-written and thoughtful monograph. Prospective consumer psychologists who are currently in Undergraduate or Graduate Programs in Psychology, Business and allied disciplines, will learn a great deal about the process and content associated with developing a career in consumer psychology. This monograph speaks to its audience in an approachable and informed fashion. Monga and Bagchi are eminently suited to this task, given their own illustrious background and evolution as leading scholars in the field." - Akshay R. Rao, General Mills Chair in Marketing, University of Minnesota, USA