From USD to a PhD, Alumna Kelly Molloy’s Journey in Psychology

When alumna Kelly Molloy ’21 (BA) graduated from the University of San Diego with a major in psychology and double minors in Spanish and political science, she had no idea her academic journey would lead her to a PhD program. Today, Molloy is in her second year of a Clinical Psychology doctoral program at the University of Cincinnati, where her research focuses on intervention adaptation and implementation for families of children with behavioral difficulties and child-caregiver relationships.

Reflecting on her time at USD, Molloy credits her experiences and mentors for shaping her career path. “I would not be where I am at now without my experiences at USD! I am extremely grateful to Dr. Adriana Molitor! Her child developmental class really sparked my interest in child psychology,” she says. Serving as a research assistant in the lab of Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences Adriana Molitor, PhD,  gave Molloy invaluable hands-on experience that prepared her for both her first job and graduate school. “She has always supported my goals during my time at USD and beyond!” Molloy adds.

Molloy’s understanding of psychology has evolved significantly since her undergraduate days. “I used to view psychology simply as the study of behavior or choices; however, over the years I have started to appreciate the complexity of psychology and how our biology, environment and culture all interact to shape our identities and behaviors,” she explains. This deeper appreciation continues to influence her work and interactions today. She strives to approach every situation with empathy: “The biggest thing that I strive to do is be compassionate with everyone because we have no idea what each other is dealing with in our day-to-day lives.”

Molloy’s journey wasn’t without challenges. During her senior year, she applied to several clinical psychology PhD programs but wasn’t accepted. “While this was incredibly disappointing at the time, I decided to apply to jobs in research for the time being, and I am so happy that I did!” she recalls. Working as a research coordinator in Portland, Oregon for three years gave her valuable experience and confidence, ultimately strengthening her commitment to her career goals.

For current psychology students, Molloy offers this advice: “Put yourself out there, try new things, and connect with students and alumni! There are so many resources available to you through the university—amazing faculty, alumni, the Career Center. People are eager to help!”

Looking ahead, Molloy envisions completing a post-doctoral fellowship, earning her license, and working in a clinical setting with children and families. Her ultimate goal is to research interventions that support children with behavioral difficulties—a mission rooted in her passion for making a difference.