Chapter 1: Before the Beginning 

Way back before the beginning, God resided in a spiritual realm associating with some select spiritual assistants, which he called angels. After giving it much thought, he concluded that he needed to move forward beyond the spiritual realm and create a physical realm as well, a realm in which his creations, his children, could learn, make progress, and experience new-found happiness. Before beginning his creation of the physical realm, he called one of his favorite angels aside, Michael, and told him something of his plan and then asked him if he would like to assist. Michael thought about it for some time before answering and then said, “Dear God, you have to know that I will do whatever you want me to, but this whole plan is confusing to me. I mean I don’t get it or what and why we are creating this physical realm. I have no idea how I’m supposed to help you.”

            God answered, “Michael, don’t sweat the details; I’ll tell you what you should do.”

Written Nov. 26, 2012

So you are trying to decide on a career path, and you think that maybe being a professor would be a good career for you--or maybe not.  Here are some things to consider in making a decision.  (I have been a professor of psychology at Brandeis University for 37 years.)

First, I believe that an academic career can be a most rewarding and enjoyable life course.  However, to have it be so, you must truly love teaching and mentoring others and research (that includes carrying out studies, writing grant proposals, writing articles and books for publication, and giving presentations at conferences and other events) and reading (keeping up) on the latest research in your chosen field.

Written May 18, 2014

Greetings to you graduating students, parents, families, friends, and fellow colleagues.  It is my privilege to address you this afternoon.  I would like to give you three messages—first, some practical advice; second, a message for you parents; and, third, a message about career paths for you students.