"Once students went to school, got a degree and stayed with a career. That was it. Today, with the rapidity of change, it's critical to urge students to constantly keep current, learn how to keep learning, learn how to network constantly with others."

"When you communicate, solicit feedback," he suggests. "In the counseling I've done,

I discover over and over that problems surface because one person heard something from another that was never intended," Rooney says. In an intense, busy world, communication challenges abound because people are so distracted and preoccupied. "Often, people's actions get interpreted wrongly, not their intentions," Rooney says. "The difference between what people say and what they do often leads to misunderstanding." Communication difficulties are often complicated too, he said, because people have different styles. "Some give more emphasis to feelings than facts -- or the other way around." He advises "non-possessive affection."

Society is intensely mobile. People change careers frequently. Technology advances like the Internet enable users to be in touch more easily with others all over the world. And businesses are increasingly part of a global economy. These factors daily introduce individuals to others with dramatically diverse perspectives and backgrounds. "In such a global society," Rooney says, "we are all minorities with particular perceptions, ideas and values. A critical part of any higher education experience is to assist students in being sensitive to cultural diversity. We have to help students recognize prejudice in themselves and others."

"An example of how this knowledge can be helpful is the perception many people have about the so-called benefits of harsh, punitive punishments," Rooney says. "People certainly need limits and discipline -- including sanctions for doing wrong. However, anyone who thinks that harsh, punitive methods are the best means for developing positive behavior should think again. Psychology informs us that the teaching of self-discipline is really the best method. Harsh punishment encourages anger, hostility and aggression.

"I think the role of psychology education today is not only to train experts on how to treat people professionally, but also to help people understand themselves and others better -- to get a knowledge about human behavior -- so that we can all become more effective. All kinds of people can benefit greatly from this knowledge whether they work with computers or technology, serve as specialty engineers, educators or managers in business. We need to work harder to combine our knowledge of special skills with an understanding of psychological principles."

"People need to choose a balanced lifestyle," Rooney says. "Many people stumble when they set priorities. Balancing work, family, religion and participating in community life gives stability. Instead of balanced living, many people become workaholics or get caught up in compulsive and abusive behaviors. They abuse substances or overeat. They take on too many activities. We have to be able to say we can't do it all. In the workplace, it sometimes becomes important to communicate with those in authority to say we can't get it all done. Some people wait until it affects their health. Some people volunteer for so much they become ineffective or overstressed."

"Over and over I see that people with a mature sense of values just cope better and handle problems more easily. The trouble is, I see more people today without roots of that kind. For many people, the core values have a foundation in religious or spiritual beliefs. I find people questioning and challenging traditional beliefs, and many times it is right to challenge them. Others rebel against the values of their parent because they don't want to be like them, especially if there is family unhappiness. But core values influence the ways in which people relate to each other. These standards often become a positive influence for a happier life."

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