Careers in Psychology 2018
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NOWADAYS, THERE ARE MYRIAD according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Sta- to the development of new technolo- WAYS TO APPLY YOUR KNOWL- tistics. To work as a psychologist, a mas- gies that specifi cally train or treat the EDGE OF PSYCHOLOGY. Your ter’s degree is a minimum requirement, brain. But psychological research is no advanced understanding of this fi eld may with more opportunities generally avail- longer confi ned to a traditional science mean a career in wildlife conservation or able to those with doctoral degrees. Earn- lab, and academic advisors are encour- designing innovative new technologies ing a master’s degree in psychology opens aging students who are interested for everyday consumption. You could also more doors to opportunities in counsel- to explore more diverse careers and provide mental health counseling to those ing, social work, and management. Earn- develop a broader skill set. At universi- in need or even train domestic animals. ing a doctoral degree puts you on the path ties across the country, researchers are Knowledge of behavior is as relevant to to a career in research, higher education, being trained to work in nontraditional maintaining a strong, effective military and private practice, and con- police force as it is to promoting effective sulting. strategies for good health and success and Psychology is one of to creating tools, machinery, and electron- the top six majors among ic devices that help meet the challenges of bachelor’s degrees con- HIT NEW daily living. ferred in the United States. For those who wish to pursue addi- In fact, the number of HEIGHTS OF tional studies and further their career in bachelor’s degrees in psy- psychology, there is tremendous room for chology grew to 117,600 in PROFESSIONAL growth in traditional therapeutic areas, 2015 from 85,600 in 2005, such as family or relationship therapy, as according to the National SUCCESS well as in newer areas like genetic counsel- Center for Education Sta- ing or neuropsychology, which requires a tistics. In that same 10-year deeper biological understanding of neural period, the number of systems and neuroplasticity. There is also associate’s degrees in psychology rose by and nonacademic settings in industry, a need for psychologists with advanced 350 percent, from 1,800 to 8,700. This was government, and nonprofit sectors. training in fi elds such as sales and market- the largest percentage increase of all asso- Students may fi nd themselves applying ing, human resources, law enforcement ciate degrees conferred in the top 20 fi elds for internships and externships in com- and forensics, interactive design technol- of study. The number of master’s degrees panies with video game research labs ogy, and other areas that require thorough conferred was 26,773, up from 19,770 in or other technologies that benefi t from knowledge of human thinking and behav- 2005. And in 2015, a considerable 6,583 employees with a background in human ior. doctoral degrees were awarded, up from behavior. Between 2016 and 2026, job growth 4,921 in 2005. Wherever your interests lie, there in the fi eld of psychology is estimated to Currently, there is ongoing support is an academic path to a psychology- SHUTTERSTOCK be higher than average for all occupations, for neuropsychological research leading based career that’s right for you. March/April 2018 Psychology Today 83 PT0318_CIP Opener_r4.indd 83 29/1/2018 11:42 Industrial/ organizational Nearly The average salary of Psychology is the fourth It’s time to think psychologists DEGREES OF psychiatrists employed by most declared major can look forward state governments is 26,773 with approximately of psychology in to a substantial 6 23.9 master’s degrees in unusual settings. percent increase in percent of DISTINCTION psychology were psychologists were . jobs across America HERE’S THE ULTIMATE SCORECARD TO PREPARE $219,550 awarded in the U.S. 117,000 self-employed in 2016. in 2015. Here are two of the through 2018. FOR A REWARDING CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY. { } students. 6% many new ways to put DEGREE TYPE MEDICAL (M.D.) DOCTORATE (PSY.D., PH.D., ED.D.) MASTER’S (M.S.W., M.F.T., M.H.C., M.ED.) BACHELOR’S (B.A., B.S., B.S.W.) expertise into practice. HOW LONG IT TAKES 7–9 years 3–7 years 1–3 years 3–4 years Animal Behaviorist There are many ways to combine Psychologist (Researcher Social Worker, Counselor, Child Life Specialist, Counselor, Recruiter, Research a love of animals with psychol- CAREER OPTIONS Psychiatrist (Researcher or Clinician), or Clinician), Professor, Marriage and Family Therapist Assistant, Human Resources Manager, Sales Repre- ogy. Although some schools offer Professor sentative, Substance Abuse Counselor Educational Administrator a bachelor’s degree in the scien- Child, Clinical, Cognitive, Community, Consumer, Counsel- Art, Crisis Management, Disability, Exercise, Family, Genetic tific study of animal behavior, Addiction, Adult, Child/Pediatric, Human Resources, Market Research, Sales, School, ing, Developmental, Educational, Engineering, Environ- Counseling, Geriatric, Grief, Life Coaching, Marriage and a master’s degree or doctorate is Geriatric, Forensic, Special Education, Substance SPECIALTY FIELDS mental, Evolutionary, Family, Forensic, Gerontology, Health, Family, Occupational Therapist, Public Health, Rehabilitation, required for certification as an Neuropsychiatry, Abuse Services Industrial/Organizational, Media, Military, Neuro- School, Substance Abuse, Suicide Intervention, Veterans, Abuse Services animal behav- Psychopharmacology psychology, Psychometry, Rehabilitation, Sports Victim Advocate iorist. Like veterinar- ians, TYPICAL PREREQUISITES Premed background in biology, physics, chemistry, and GRE; GRE Subject Test in Psychology; exposure to research. Some, but not all, master’s programs require a GRE. SAT, SAT Subject Test calculus; MCAT; volunteer or research work Ph.D. applicants usually need to have taken a statistics course. animal behaviorists Internship, residency, additional training in specialties Research, dissertation, internship, and practicum. Internship, licensure (to receive health care reimbursement) Some training and certifications may be required for tend to special- ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (i.e., forensic, child/adolescent, psychoanalysis), Licensure is required for those looking to go into + 2,000 – 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, research specific job types (i.e., health educators and teachers). ize by animal private practice. state licensure type, and may P ublic: in state $8,640 – $20,000, out of state $11,000 – $24,000 work in a clinical, research, WHAT IT COSTS (ANNUALLY) $34,592 – $58,668 $8,640 – $30,345 $8,808 – $70,542 Private: $34,000 or field setting. As the need for CAN I GET MY DEGREE ONLINE? Only some required courses can be completed online. Yes Yes Yes companion animals grows, so does the demand for experts in Yes. Many graduate students maintain full- or part-time CAN I KEEP MY DAY JOB WHILE Yes. It’ll take a lot longer, but some universities offer part-time If you’re pursuing a part-time behavior and training. Animal No. (Sorry.) positions while working toward a master’s degree in I PURSUE MY DEGREE? tracks for students who wish to work part- or full-time. or online path, yes. social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy. behaviorists may work in group settings or independently with Administrative/Executive Assistant, Clinical, Counseling, Health Care, School Psychologist, Health Care Social Worker, Mental Health pet owners. Organizations that MOST IN-DEMAND Compensation and Benefits Manager, Child and Geriatric Psychiatrists Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, and Substance Abuse Social Worker, Marriage POSITION Training and Development Specialist, provide animal care —shelters, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Psychologists and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor Recruitment Specialist, Sales Associate zoos, and wildlife refuges—often hire animal behaviorists as part HIGHEST PAYING POSITION State Government Employees Industrial/Organizational Psychologist Human Resources Manager, School Counselor Human Resources Associate of research teams or to ensure the Diagnose and treat psychological disturbances; provide Counsel job-seekers about career welfare of animals. Conduct research, administer psychometric testing, teach, group, family, couples, and individual therapy or counseling; paths, work in school administrations, Assess, diagnose, and treat brain and behavioral distur- counsel, consult and/or treat clients assist clients with obtaining federal or state benefits; identify recruit clients for businesses, assist Marketing Psychologist WHAT THEY DO bances; prescribe medication; conduct research individually or in groups. and intervene in child abuse; procure foster family and in academic or market research, Targeted demographics and cur- adoption services work in sales or administration rent economic conditions help Ability to stay composed under stress, interest in the determine how a company should Analytical skills, interpersonal skills, a knack Empathy, listening skills, interpersonal skills, human mind and behavior, listening skills, interpersonal Interpersonal skills, conscientiousness, invest in marketing strategies that for problem solving, patience, a strong eye organization and time-management skills, a WHAT IT TAKES skills, conscientiousness, punctuality, trustworthiness, punctuality, empathy, speaking skills for observation, trustworthiness, resourcefulness knack for problem solving,