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Lifespan Development

What Does Psychology Say?

Lifespan DevelopmentWhat Does Psychology Say?
Figure 11.1 Becoming an adult involves finding meaningful ways to put your skills to use. (credit: modification of work "2015 REI volunteers" by Mount Rainier National Park/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

What Does Psychology Say?

Priya’s college graduation day was filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety, marking the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Degree in hand, Priya was eager to start her career in marketing. However, reality hit hard as she faced a competitive job market. She sent out countless applications and went to numerous interviews, yet was unable to secure an offer. Frustrated but determined, she accepted a part-time position at a local café to make ends meet while continuing to search for a job in her field.

Amid the hustle of job hunting and working odd hours, Priya grappled with newfound responsibilities. Managing her finances and health became top priorities. To save money and avoid relying on unhealthy fast food, she learned to cook. She began dating a coworker from the café—a casual relationship at first that seemed to be turning into something more serious.

Through her job purchasing supplies for the café, Priya realized she had a passion for recycling and other environmental sustainability issues. She began volunteering with a local nonprofit environmental organization and used her marketing knowledge to publicize its fundraisers and events. Her efforts were so successful that she caught the eye of a larger environmental group, which offered her a full-time paying position in their media relations department. She enjoyed the stable income and got a great sense of satisfaction from applying her degree to a cause she found personally meaningful.

Priya likely found herself thinking about several things related to this stage of life:

  • What does it mean to be in “emerging adulthood”?
  • What physical changes mark the transition and affect our functioning in early adulthood?
  • What aspects of sexuality do we need to consider in early adulthood?
  • How do our cognitive skills continue to develop in early adulthood, and what can we do with them?
  • What are common educational and career experiences we encounter in early adulthood?
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