As an individual, if you have a big-heart and an open-mind, and your desire in life is to help other individuals, you may want to consider a career in psychology. There are many different types of careers in psychology and that is the main reason many individuals enter into this field. In this article, you will learn about jobs in psychology that are available at the present time, and what each one of those jobs in psychology has in store for you.
As a psychologist, one of the motivating factors is the basic fact that over a quarter of all psychologists are self-employed; this is four times higher than the national average. Generally, psychologists will need a psychology degree on a graduate level in order to be successful. For many psychologists who specialize in counseling or clinical psychology, medical school is required, and the minimum requirement for the majority of educational organizations and facilities is a master’s degree.
Psychologist’s workday consists of examining human’s mental processes, and how these processes affect their behavior. There are several psychologists that are involved in research studies, within which they explore the emotional, physiological, intellectual, and social facets of human conduct. At this time, researchers hypothesize and gather together information; this is done by performing experiments in a lab or by dispensing tests, and then drawing out conclusions.
Additionally, psychologists may also administer surveys and questionnaires, and study the physiological effects associated with mental stimulation as part of their research. On-the-other-hand, there are some psychologists that provide health services at schools, private practices, hospitals, and clinics.
Not only do psychologists collect data, they also find applications for the data in just about every field, whether it is business, management, government, law, employee relations, or sports. The majority of psychologists have a very firm grasp of the general principles but generally they specialize in one certain field where they are able to help with developing programs, counseling, or training.
Careers in Psychology
Clinical Psychologists: Clinical psychology is the largest area of practice. Generally clinical psychologists are employed within medical facilities like hospitals, clinics, or group practices. All of those psychologists that work at medical facilities may help their patients deal with infirmities or injuries while other psychologists may help their patients adjust to the changes that have occurred in their life or deal with emotional disorders.
Most psychologists work at centers that are specifically dedicated to physical rehabilitation where they are able to work with patients that have disabilities, injuries, chronic problems, or strokes. But there are still other psychologists that may help individuals deal with trauma, like the loss of a family member.
Counselors: Counselors use a variety of different methods including personal examinations and consultations in order to provide individuals with the assistance they need in order to deal with the pressures of everyday life and to find ways to live a productive and happy life. Generally, counselors work at educational or career counseling centers, group practices, or hospitals.
School Psychologists: School psychologists work in order to maximize the education of the students and minimize the student’s behavioral problems at secondary or elementary schools or at a district level. School psychologists work with administrators, educators, and parents. They deal with problems like violence or drug abuse; improve student’s learning through classroom techniques; help to improve parenting; and identify the absolute best programs for gifted or disabled students. School psychologists also work in assessing school programs, and guidelines that may be used when dealing with behavioral problems, school programs, and parent involvement.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists: Industrial or organizational psychologists use their training and knowledge within the workplace. These types of psychologists have two goals: firstly they want to increase the company’s productivity and secondly they want to advance the worker’s quality of life. Often times, industrial or organizational psychologists perform research concerning effective advertising or administration issues. In addition to their research, these types of psychologists are often involved with individuals on a more direct basis, running and developing training programs, interviewing applicants, providing employees with advice, and analyzing the organization. The majority of the time companies often don’t employ in-house industrial psychologists and because of that, they work as consultants.
In addition to these types of psychologists, there are also experimental/research psychologists and social psychologists.
Training and Qualifications for Jobs in Psychology
As you may have already guessed, being a psychologist requires a little more schooling as well as an advanced degree. A bachelor degree in psychology, will allow the applicant to work as a psychologist’s assistant or other personnel on behavior modification programs, community medical centers, or programs that are specifically designed for vocational rehabilitation.
There are some psychologists that are employed in other fields, such as market research, as specialists or consultants. There are others that may work as administrative assistants, train in corporations for managerial positions, or help with research. As a psychologist with a master’s degree, you will be qualified to work as an industrial or organizational psychologist as well as a school psychologist.
In order to receive your master’s degree in psychology, you will have to attend college for two years. Generally, your master’s degree will include a little experience hands-on in a professional setting, and a form of original research known as a written thesis. However, you should know that all schools don’t require an undergraduate psychology for the student’s admission, but all schools are competitive and will require the student to develop a basic understanding of the basic concepts associated with statistical skills and social sciences.
In the event that you have a PhD in psychology, it will qualify you to be licensed as a clinical counselor or psychologist. It may also qualify you to teach at a university, be employed by the government, or work at a research group. Generally, earning a PhD requires five to seven years of strictly post graduate work. In the end, since more and more medical facilities, schools, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, and government agencies are demanding psychologist’s skills, the job outlook for psychologists is booming.
