Even those who have a lot of job experience may not realize how you can use education in psychology to find new opportunities in today’s professional world. In this article, we’ll outline the career potentials that could open up for you with a psychology degree.
Why Earn A Psychology Degree?
There are countless reasons you might choose to earn a psychology degree. The field of psychology has a wide range of applications that can be used in both the private and public sectors. With a degree in psychology, you can find jobs in mental health counseling, research, education, and business.
The benefits of earning a psychology degree are numerous. A psychologist is well-trained to understand the behavior of individuals and groups. They can use this information to aid in solving problems and generate new solutions.
Additionally, psychologists are experts in diagnosing psychological disorders and prescribing treatment. Consequently, they have a great deal of influence in the field of mental health care.
Anyone looking for a well-paying career in psychology can benefit from earning a degree in the field. The good news is that there are many interesting and rewarding ways to use a psychology degree, so you’ll be able to find the right one for you. You can work as a clinical psychologist, teaching specialist, or even a research scientist.
With a psychology degree, you’re guaranteed to have highly-compensated employment options.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), clinical psychologists earn an average annual salary of $96,790, teaching specialists earn an average annual salary of $86,470, and research scientists earn an average annual salary of $106,870. These salaries reflect the fact that all three careers require at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Your psychology degree will also equip you with a unique skill set. Each career path in psychology requires different skills and abilities. Clinically, psychologists need strong clinical skills and the ability to empathize with patients. Teaching specialists need strong instructional skills and the ability to develop curricula and modify them as needed. Research scientists need strong research skills and the ability to analyze data effectively.
If you’re interested in working with people on a daily basis, a Psychology degree is the right path for you. Psychology graduates often find success as therapists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and more. No matter what your career aspirations may be, earning a psychology degree will equip you with the skills you need to successfully pursue your dreams.
What Kind Of Work Can You Get With A Psychology Degree?
A psychology degree is a great foundation for a variety of careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 50 percent of psychologists are employed in clinical, counseling, education, research, and correctional services. Other top occupations for psychologists include program developers and specialists, industrial-organizational psychologists, and social workers.
So what can you do with a psychology degree? Here are five popular options:
- Work as a therapist. Nearly two-thirds of all psychologists are employed as therapists. This includes therapists working in private practices, hospitals and health centers, schools, social service agencies, and the government.
- Become a school psychologist. School psychologists play an important role in helping students with emotional issues, behavioral problems, and academics. They typically work in schools as part of the regular education staff.
- Earn a doctorate in psychology. A doctorate in psychology is the highest level of psychological training available. After earning their degree, many doctoral-level psychologists become associate professors or professors at colleges and universities.
- Become a research psychologist. Research psychologists conduct scientific studies on mental health disorders. They typically work in government or universities.
- Become a lawyer. Earn a law degree that can help you specialize in the field of psychology during your career.
Tips For Getting Started With Psychology
Some tips for getting started with this career and degree are:
Consider your interests. What does psychology fascinate you about? Are there certain topics in which you’re particularly interested? Once you know what you’re attracted to, it’ll be easier to select psychology courses that match your interests and skill set.
Consider what type of psychologist you want to be. Do you want to work with individual patients or groups of people? Do you want to focus on research or practice? Once you know what type of psychologist appeals to you, start looking for program areas that match your interests and goals
Explore ways to get involved. As a psychology graduate student, seeking out opportunities to share your knowledge is important. When obtaining a degree in psychology, join professional societies, attend conference events, and network with other psychologists. This will help equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in psychology.
Get realistic about what your career goals are. If you don’t have any specific plans yet, take some time to think about your ideal career path. You might want to become an inpatient therapist or a licensed professional counselor and then shift into private practice. As you gain experience, scouting out entry-level opportunities is another good idea, especially since this means you can test some of the career paths before making a long-term commitment.
Advice For Making The Right Career Choice
If you’re considering pursuing a psychology degree, here are some tips to help make the right decision for you:
- Do your research. Make sure that the program you choose is well-equipped to meet your career goals.
- Be open to new opportunities. Many psychologists work in a variety of settings, so don’t limit yourself to one type of job.
- Keep up your education. continue your studies even if you don’t have a specific job lined up right away. As your skills improve, more opportunities will become available to you.
- Be patient. jobs are often filled before they become available, and it’s overwhelming to accept a job offer just because you answered an advertisement in the paper.
Finding a job in psychology can be daunting, but with the right preparation and strategies, you can land the perfect position. Hopefully, you have a better understanding of what it takes to pursue a career in psychology and are able to make an informed decision about which path is best for you.
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