education CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY | 2019 PPORTUNITES ARE The need for addiction treatment to be in tune with recent psychological BLOSSOMING EVERY YEAR. continues to grow. Cognitive-behavioral evidence can foster mental well-being In a time when the growth of techniques are being used to help and aid in the assessment of disorders countless occupations has been patients with chronic pain. The bur- resulting from potential misuse. in question, the U.S. Bureau of Labor geoning fi eld of pain psychology needs Applications for statistical meth- Statistics has projected a 14 percent fresh minds to increase both viability ods in psychology have been greatly expansion in careers for psychologists and effectiveness. Nutritional psychol- expanded by digital tech. A brief survey between 2016 and 2026, double the ogy often overlaps with life coaching. delivered via smartphone can provide average growth rate of all careers. Sports psychology is an increasingly data on millions of people, leading to For those with a bachelor’s degree, valuable resource for players dealing enormous sample sizes in new studies. new avenues of understanding human with brain injury, stress, sexual assault, The research of the mind is just behavior, through social media, market- and problems relating to culture on and getting started. At all levels of edu- ing, and sales, are evolving. Bachelor’s off the fi eld. cation, the science of consciousness, degree holders can fi nd opportunities in In the areas of artifi cial intelligence behavior, mental faculties, and decision public relations, business administration, and the application of personal tech making is among the most complex in market research, residential counseling, such as smartphones, psychologists the universe. It is unlikely that psychol- admissions counseling, rehabilitation can provide unique insight into the ogy will ever run out of new frontiers assistance, and youth advocacy. effects on us and what problems they to examine, and anyone can become a Graduate degrees are necessary can cause. Designing new technology part of that investigation. to practice as a clinical psychologist. Doctoral training is the standard in most states, but school psychology or What To Expect behavioral analysis can be practiced at the master’s level. The master’s degree We asked Katharine S. Brooks, Ed.D., Executive Director at the Vanderbilt in psychology can lead to work as a University Career Center, questions on career options. school counselor, career counselor at a What are some good career options for the increasingly popular bachelor’s degree university, sports counselor, substance in psychology? Many undergraduate psychology majors who enjoyed their educa- abuse counselor, or social worker, in- tion but choose not to continue on to graduate school apply their learning in careers cluding case management. Careers for outside of psychology—in business, law, public relations, marketing and market re- mental health professionals in schools search, sales, education, or social media specialties. Those who have taken statistics are projected to grow by upward of or data-related courses may fi nd new opportunities in data analytics. 20 percent, according to the American Focus on the type of work you want to do, rather than the specifi c title. Ask your- Psychological Association. The destig- self whom you want to work with (as client, colleague, or customer); what work do matization of mental health concerns you want to do (counsel, write reports, analyze data, conduct research.); and where creates jobs for those willing to take a you want to do this (hospital, private agency, community program.). Most important, clinical, social, and personal approach why are you doing this? What is your purpose in pursuing this career? to the study of the mind. For those with a Ph.D. in psychology, What types of jobs can one fi nd in psychological research, on the more neuro- logical and psychometric end of the job spectrum? The fi eld of data analytics as medical advancements coupled with enhanced by new technology has opened up many opportunities for psychology technological changes in society are majors who specialize in statistics. Every company from Google to your local depart- opening new frontiers—deciphering the ment store relies on data to understand their customers and market their products. effects of cell phones, virtual reality, and Medical advances, particularly related to genetics, neurology, and neuroimaging, artifi cial intelligence on the human mind. have opened new avenues for research and clinical therapies, including pharmaceu- Psychometricians are needed to assess tical treatments. Industrial psychology also continues to grow as a specialty as more individual abilities in SAT testing, work- corporations see the value of psychologists, whether in the data analytics area or in place interaction, and other dimensions marketing research. of social and personal achievement. Psychologists can enhance almost any fi eld of study whether it’s rising levels of The median pay for a psychologist obesity, crime and rehabilitation, the social eff ect of technology, online learning, or in 2017 was $77,030 per year. Job sports-related brain injuries. The positive psychology movement has also opened up opportunities are greatest for those new wellness programs at virtually every workplace and will likely continue to grow. ILLUSTRATION BY ADAM KOON/ADAMKOON.COM ADAM BY ILLUSTRATION with a doctoral specialty. 84 Psychology Today March/April 2019 March/April 2019 Psychology Today 85 Psychology is Never Boring Racial/ethnic Psychology is the fourth The average salary of Imagine yourself caring for top Nearly most declared major minorities earned psychologists employed by athletes of your favorite team, DEGREES OF with approximately 83% of psychiatrists would local governments is or aiding others when 23.9 choose their career again catastrophe 1/3 percent of of doctorates in SUCCESS 117,000 if they could get a strikes around psychology in 2016. psychologists were HERE’S THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PREPARING students. do-over. $123,570 self-employed in 2016. the world. FOR A REWARDING CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY. 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.) HOW LONG IT TAKES 7–9 years 3 –7 years 1–3 years 3–4 years Psychologist (Researcher Social Worker, Counselor, Child Life Specialist, Counselor, Recruiter, Research Psychiatrist (Researcher or Clinician), CAREER OPTIONS or Clinician), Professor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Assistant, Human Resources Manager, Sales Repre- Professor Educational Administrator Human Resources Manager sentative, Substance Abuse Counselor Child, Clinical, Cognitive, Commu- Art, Crisis Management, Disability, Exercise, Family, Genetic Addic tion, Adult, Child/Pediatric, nity, Consumer, Counseling, Developmental, Educational, Counseling, Geriatric, Grief, Life Coaching, Marriage and Human Resources, Market Research, Sales, School, Geriatric, Forensic, SPECIALTY FIELDS Engineering, Environmental, Evolutionary, Family, Forensic, Family, Occupational Therapist, Public Health, Rehabilitation, Special Education, Sports Psychologist Neuropsychiatr y, Gerontology, Health, Industrial/Organizational, Media, Mili- School, Substance Abuse, Suicide Intervention, Veterans, Substance Abuse Services Some athletes struggle with psy- Psychopharmacology tary, Neuropsychology, Psychometry, Rehabilitation, Sports Victim Advocate chological issues that hurt their performance on and off the field. Sports psychologists help ath- TYPICAL PREREQUISITES Premed background in biology, physic s, chemistr y, and GRE; GRE Subject Test in Psychology; exposure to research; Some, but not all, master’s programs require a GRE SAT or ACT calculus; MCAT; volunteer or research work a statistics course is recommened for Ph.D. applicants letes optimize their performance through work on self-confidence, Internship, residency, additional training in specialties Research, dissertation, internship, and practicum; Internship, licensure (to receive health care reimbursement) Some training and certifi cations may be required for self-esteem, weight management, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (for example, forensic, child/adolescent, psychoanalysis), licensure is required for those interested in private practice + 2,000 – 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, research specifi c jobs (such as health educators and teachers). anger management, sportsman- state licensure ship, and leadership skills. They Public in state: $11,000; Public out of state: $24,000 Public in state: $8,640; Public out of state: $20,000; can be especially helpful in times WHAT IT COSTS (ANNUALLY) $36,755–$60,802 Private: $34,000 Private: $30,000 $9,716–$71,710 of transition, such as when an ath- lete is traded to a new team. They CAN I GET MY DEGREE ONLINE? Yes Yes Only some required courses can be completed online Yes also help athletes through mental CAN I KEEP MY DAY JOB WHILE Yes. It’ll take a lot longer, but some universities offer a part- Yes. Many graduate students maintain full- or par t-time If you’re pursuing a par t-time illness like depression and anxi- I PURSUE MY DEGREE? No. (Sorry.) time track for students who wish to positions while working toward a master’s degree in or online path, yes. ety. Coaches can also work with work part- or full-time. social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy. sports psychologists to enhance CLASSES YOU’LL TAKE Clinical Curriculum, Psychopharmacology, Psychiatric