Career Paths In Psychology

Personal interactions in our everyday life often make us wonder why people behave and feel as they do. These are the complexities of human behavior and if your interest in it goes beyond pondering these questions to gaining a better understanding of the underlying thoughts and motivation, the study of psychology will provide you an insight. It is a science that delves into the relationship between brain function and behavior as well as the relationship between environment and behavior.

The knowledge of psychology has applications in mental health care and social services, education, industry, law and sports. This lends itself to many areas of specialization as illustrated in this list of professionals in the field.

Clinical psychologists treat to alleviate psychological distress and to promote psychological well being. They work with people with mental health problems arising out of personal or family crises as well as those who suffer from chronic psychiatric disorders.
Counseling psychologists apply psychology to help manage difficult life events such as bereavement or divorce. They counsel individuals undergoing adjustment problems as opposed to treating severe psychological disorders.
School psychologists are concerned with children's learning and development, working primarily in schools with teachers and parents. They are typically involved in the assessment and recommendation for better learning environments for students, especially those with disabilities or are exceptionally gifted.
Organizational psychologists analyze the performance of people at work, how they relate to co-workers and the organizational environment. They assist in personnel selection, training and development and consult with management for improved productivity.
Psychometric and quantitative psychologists focus on the methods and techniques used to acquire and apply psychological knowledge. A psychometrist devises intelligence, personality, and aptitude evaluation tests. Quantitative psychologists assist researchers in psychology or other fields to design experiments and interpret the results.
Forensic psychologists work in the criminal and civil justice field. They possess the requisite knowledge to determine if a defendant can withstand trial or if an accident victim has suffered physical or neurological damage.

Your career path in psychology is shaped in part by your level of education. As a student you learn principles of human behavior as well as gain expertise in interviewing techniques, questionnaire design and analysis and methods of teaching. A bachelor's degree in psychology equips you for entry-level positions in mental health care centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional programs. In the business setting you can find employment as an employee counselor, market researcher or media buyer (researches product and audiences to select most effective media for advertising). A master's degree, which is a two year full-time study program further widens your avenues. You can work as a psychological assistant under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists in clinical, counseling, school, and testing and measurement psychology. In addition to serving in counseling practices and clinics, you have good opportunities in the industry in the areas of personnel, training and data analysis. A Ph.D. opens up many choices for you such as teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in universities, schools, private industry, and government. A doctoral degree usually requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study. With a Psy.D.(a doctoral degree with greater emphasis on practical work and examinations than on a dissertation), you can take up clinical positions. A doctoral qualification is also a basic requirement to get a license to set up an independent practice.