Cassandra Conley

I have been interested in psychology and criminal behaviour since my early teens so forensic psychology was a no-brainer for me. I am currently working with the Correctional Service of Canada, where I am responsible for research, coding, and everything to do with data. I am always setting goals for myself and am currently doing everything possible to achieve my next goal – a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology. In my free time, I like to spend time with my dog, Eevee, a black lab/retriever rescue. I also enjoy painting, dancing, reading, and binge-watching tv shows/movies.

Research: Throughout my education, I have completed quite a bit of research (though not nearly enough). My undergraduate criminology thesis focused on mental health resources for female federal offenders in Canada. My undergraduate psychology thesis involved coding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) using scores from the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI). My Masters thesis involved assessing the impact of gender biases on ratings of psychopathy for females using the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP). My research experience has been solely responsible for my career path. I first received a job with the Research Branch of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) in the first year of my Masters through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). My research experience directly contributed to my qualifications for this job and through this job, I strengthened my experience more. My Masters thesis advanced my research and statistical skills further, to the point where I am much more comfortable with statistical concepts and analyses. This directly contributed to my advancement to the post of Junior Investigations Analyst at CSC. My interest in research has been heightened throughout my education – I initially didn’t want to do research at all. My current boss, whom I assisted with her dissertation research while I was in my psychology undergrad, reminds me of this often. It was my first real exposure to pure research and I said to her one day “dude, you are really not making me want to do research”. She teases me occasionally with this quote when I get my researcher hat on. Now, I am filled to the brim with research ideas and am actively searching out opportunities for research involvement.

Future Goals: My goals for the future are to complete a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus in Forensic Psychology. I also want to conduct more research on topics such as psychopathy, violence risk assessment, extremism, evidence-based interventions for justice-involved individuals, and the impact of animal-assisted intervention programs within correctional facilities. I also want to move somewhere without the dreadful season known as winter (give me all the sunshine and warmth please!).

Tips for Success in Graduate School: If you want to go to graduate school for psychology, particularly clinical, don’t do a criminology undergrad (go into psychology immediately). Make the best of your education, you are paying for it and it will hopefully be your best investment. Get involved more – work with other professors (outside of your supervisor) to do independent research projects. This will get you more experience and help with graduate school references. Know your end goal and ensure everything you do will help you get there. Don’t invest time and energy into things that will not help you with your ultimate goals. Always expect that things will take twice as long as you think they will and prepare accordingly. Grad school is not the place for last minute assignments and projects. You must be self-motivated, disciplined, and engaged if you choose to purse graduate school. Finally, be open-minded about your path. Don’t write anything off unless you’ve actually immersed yourself in it and discover you truly don’t like it.