Careers in Psychology- Subfields

Subfield of Psychology Related Careers Biopsychology/Neuropsychology Researchers and Academicians- universities, government, research relationship between biology and behavior; institutes, and pharmaceutical companies; integrates various areas of neuroscience; study Biological Technicians, Research neural bases of thinking, memory, attention, and Technicians, Psychiatric Technicians, language; research oriented field Clinical Lab Technicians Clinical Psychology Clinical psychologists in private practice, university settings, hospitals, outpatient help individuals alleviate stress; provide clinics, and medical schools. assessment and diagnosis; treatment interventions; consultation; research; severe and profound mental and emotional disorders Cognitive Psychology Research in academia, government, industry, or the military. College professor. study how humans take in, store, retrieve, and apply knowledge; study attention, visual/auditory perception, memory, reasoning, problem solving, and how people learn Counseling Psychology Employed in colleges & universities, private practice, community mental health centers, Focus on improving human functioning and the correctional facilities, and VA medical client’s assets and strengths; Emphasis on brief, centers. Case Management Aide, Life Skills person-environment interactions; Conduct career Counselor, Mental Health Aide. and vocational assessments Developmental Psychology Gerontology Aide; Child Life Specialist- help children and families adjust to a child’s study how people grow, change, and develop hospitalization; Nonprofit Organizations; across the lifespan; emotional, intellectual, and Applied Developmental Psychologists- help physical development of children, adolescents, individuals to develop skills to optimize and adults their capacities; Product Development and Media Consultant Careers in Psychology- Subfields Experimental Psychology Research in academia, government, industry, or the military. Specialize in conducting research and research methodology; study learning, sensation, perception, human performance, motivation, memory, language, thinking, and communication. Legal and Forensic Psychology Police Officer; Correctional Officer; Probation and Parole Officer; Juvenile applying psychology to the legal system; Detention Worker; Forensic Science Technician; Forensic Examiner Health Psychology Recreational Therapist- provide treatment and recreational activities to individuals study the psychological influences on health; why with physical or emotional disabilities; people become ill; how people respond to illness; Occupational Therapy Assistant- provide preventive strategies and interventions to help rehabilitative services to patients with people maintain and improve their health; study developmental disabilities; Health how emotions, thoughts, and behaviors influence Psychologist- lifestyle, personality, and health and wellness psychosocial factors that influence health; work in academic or research settings Industrial/Organizational Usability Specialist- ensuring that product designs fit users; Consultants-advising Psychology organizations how to solve problems; Environmental Designer- study study individual behavior in the work setting; relationships between environments and selection, placement, training, and development human behavior to design environments of employees; performance evaluation; job that reduce stress, create greater satisfaction and quality of work life; promote efficiency, and minimize accidents; organizational development Corporations, local and federal governments, and consulting firms. Human Resources: Recruiter, Employment Specialist Quantitative Psychology Insurance Underwriter; Computer Programmer; Budget Analyst; Operations methods and techniques for acquiring, analyzing, Research Analyst; Actuary; Financial and applying information; create new methods for Analyst analyzing data; develop and test quantitative Careers in Psychology- Subfields theories; measure human characteristics School Psychology Childcare Worker, Early Childhood Behavioral Specialist, School Psychologist; work with children, families, and school systems; School Psychologists can work in an provide assessment and treatment services for educational setting or private practice children and families; conduct research; consult identifying at risk children, evaluating a with teachers and school officials; promote health student’s academic skills, providing skills of children and adolescents training for parents, and helping children who have learning or behavioral problems. Social Psychology Social Psychologist- engaging in basic and applied research; Basic Research- study how people interact with each other and advancing knowledge; Applied Research- their social environment including such topics as solving real world problems personality, attitude formation, attraction, prejudice, group dynamics and aggression Sport Psychology Sports Psychologists who provide psychological skills training (relaxation, study of the psychological aspects of sport; how imagery); poise and emotion management athletes can improve performance through training; overtraining and burnout visualization, and managing performance anxiety counseling; helping athletes develop a better understanding of racial, ethnic, and cultural issues in sport and exercise settings. Other Mental Health Professions Marital & Family Therapy Marriage and Family Therapist Rehabilitation Counseling Substance Abuse Counselor Social Work Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, political agencies. Most states Clinical Settings or Community Practice; Clinical require licensure; Clinical practice requires Setting- provide therapy to clients using a Master’s Degree psychotherapy, individual/group counseling, crisis Careers in Psychology- Subfields intervention, case mgmt.., and substance abuse counseling. Community Practice- community organizing, policy analysis, and human services mgmt. Addictions Counseling Treatment Specialist

Sources

Kuther, T.L. & Morgan. R.D. (2010) Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a changing world

Kuther, T.L. (2012) The Psychology Major’s Handbook 3rd Edition

Landrum, R. Eric & Davis, S.F. (2010) The Psychology Major: Career options and strategies for success

Wegenek, A.R. & Buskist, W (2010). The Insider’s Guide to the Psychology Major