Nowadays, there are a multitude of jobs in psychology. Jobs for psychologists vary widely, depending on your degree area and your specific interests. Gone are the days when psychologists only held teaching positions or performed psychotherapy.

These areas of psychology still exist; however, there are more jobs than ever that rely on knowledge of psychology. Whichever field you choose, understand that you'll need to keep up with the times by always learning what you can from reputable sources in the field. Here are some tips for making the most of psychology jobs:

1. Keep up with industry news. Careers in psychology depend on being able to use relevant and current applications.

2. Know your own area of psychology employment inside and out. This will help you fine tune your skills and use them effectively.

3. Do your own research. Those in psychologist careers often take the time to design and carry out research studies to further the field as a whole.

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Find a specialty to guide your career in psychology

The field of psychology is diverse, and finding a specialty that suits you can be a daunting process. Finding out what is offered at a college near you can help narrow down your choices. Then, you can look up the specifics to check out what that specialty is all about.

I recommend: You can find out more about different specialties at Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology, as well as at the University of Florida.

Stay active in organizations to beef up your resume when applying for psychologist jobs

Any type of activity or research study will look good when you apply for a job. Since participating in an organization's activities enhances your knowledge of the subject at hand, potential employers will view you as more experienced than applicants who do not have that background. After you obtain a job, you can further your knowledge by continuing your participation in these groups.

I recommend: Browse through the organizations at Social Psychology Network to see if any of them appeal to you. Post your online studies or experiments at the Hanover College Psychology Department to gain exposure.

Maintain your psychologist employment position by taking continuing education courses

Continuing education is a helpful way to gain up-to-date knowledge about theories and applications of psychology. Requirements vary from state to state, so check with your local licensing authority before enrolling in a class. At any rate, they will allow you to expand your knowledge and help you maintain your stature in the community.

I recommend: Check out the continuing education programs approved by the American Psychological Association. You can find a variety of programs available at psychceu.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any career in psychology relies on having pertinent, current data. Reading relevant journals related to your specific field will enhance your knowledge and make you a more attractive prospect to employers. In addition, you may choose to submit your own research to a publication and gain recognition in the field.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the overall employment of psychologists is expected to grow faster than other occupations through 2014. Whether you’re considering pursuing a career in psychology, or want to work toward a specific psychology degree, it’s never too soon – or too late – to look into psychology education, psychology internship programs or psychology career opportunities.

Here are the top things to know about a career in psychology:

1. Psychology licensing requirements and psychology internship mandates vary by state and by psychology degree.
2. Find psychology jobs, psychology internship programs and career advice through psychology associations and organizations.
3. A career in psychology may include counseling jobs, social work jobs, research appointments, academic positions and consulting jobs.

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A psychology degree and a license are required to pursue a career in psychology

For your psychology education, choose colleges and universities that also offer career placement opportunities. Professional continuing education and state licensing are also required for psychologists.

I recommend: At All Star Directories’ All Psychology Schools, you can find traditional colleges and universities offering psychology degree programs as well as online institutions offering opportunities for a psychology education. For information about your state licensing requirements, check out the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

Participate in psychology internship programs and obtain certification

Before landing psychology jobs, you usually have to complete some form of psychology internship. In addition, you may want to seek certification as a specialist as you pursue your career in psychology.

I recommend: The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) provides a directory where you can search for psychology internship programs or postdoctoral programs. For information about psychology degree certifications, visit the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Take advantage of psychology career resources

The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits doctoral training and advanced degree programs to prepare you for clinical psychology jobs, school counseling jobs or social work career. The APA also offers continuing psychology education resources and psychology career assistance.

I recommend: Visit the American Psychological Association (APA) for numerous psychology career resources. The APA’s Online Career Center, PsycCareers, is a great resource for all things related to a career in psychology – you can post your résumé, search listings of psychology jobs and find professional development opportunities.

Pursue a specialized psychology career according to your interests

Psychology specialties include forensic, clinical, industrial and educational psychology, as well as marriage and family counseling, school counseling and social work. Search for psychology jobs where you can use your specialized psychology education and training.

I recommend: Go to PracticeLink, the online physician job bank and search for psychology jobs through the “Physician Job Search.” The Social Psychology Network’s Online Psychology Career Center is a terrific one-stop shop for job seekers, offering listings of psychology jobs, psychology internship programs and psychology career resources. Find counseling and social work resources at Business.com.

Search for psychology jobs in myriad industries

A career in psychology doesn't always involve counseling jobs. You can also find jobs in psychology as a researcher, an academic or as a consultant to other industries.

I recommend: For a modest registration fee, Jobs in Psychology lets you search thousands of psychology jobs in a variety of industries and settings.

Find the psychology job that fits YOU

Don't take the first job offer that comes along. Find a psychology position that fits you in more ways than one. If a job sounds great 'if only...' it offered perks X, Y, and Z, consider negotiating with the job offeror for flexible hours, work-at-home options, or whatever would make it the perfect job for you.

I recommend: Alison Doyle, About.com's brilliant Job Searching guru, offers some terrific helpers for those on the hunt for a job, including the Job Offer Checklist and How To Evaluate a Job Offer: Job Offer Decision-Making. Remember, you can't help others on their roads to fulfillment if you're not happy in your own career and life.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Earning an advanced psychology degree takes time - four years for a Bachelor's degree, two years for a Master's degree and four to six years for a Doctoral degree.
• •  Get help creating your résumé from psychology career specialists, colleagues or faculty advisors.
• •  When looking for psychology jobs, make sure your personality matches that of the institution or employer.

Today, there are numerous options for careers in psychology. Psychology employment opportunities are prevalent in a variety of places, such as hospitals, schools, the military, centers for the aging and businesses. Jobs in psychology are not limited to just counseling and, in many cases, expand into other areas of business, like marketing and sales.

If you're considering a career in psychology, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree. Many jobs require more advanced degrees, however, so depending on what type of career in psychology you're looking for, you may need to budget your time and money for that extra schooling. Consider the following:

1. Some psychology careers are not necessarily in a psychology-related field. For these types of positions, a Bachelor's degree in psychology may suffice.

2. Counseling psychology jobs do require at least a master's degree as well as hands-on experience to obtain a license to practice. Requirements vary by state, so check your local licensing board.

3. Doctoral programs are usually reserved for those who want to become licensed psychologists, do research or teach at the university level.

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Make the most of your undergraduate years to increase chances of finding psychologist jobs

During your undergraduate training, you can explore various psychology subfields through internships or volunteer activities. Also, consider participating in undergraduate research projects that offer you opportunities to gain more in-depth knowledge in your areas of interest. Remember that an undergraduate psychology degree is useful even if you choose not to go into a specific psychology field after you graduate. For example, people with administrative, marketing and sales duties may have to apply psychological principles in their everyday job functions.

I recommend: Look into the summer internship program at Pace University. This type of program will help you hone your interests and assist you in determining how to proceed upon graduation (enter the workforce or continue in a specific graduate program). Consider presenting research at a conference, such as the Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference; this will earn you respect in the field.

Prepare for a graduate program in psychology

Graduate programs in psychology provide advanced training in specialty areas, such as counseling psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, developmental psychology or social psychology. Prospective students must identify the program that meets their needs and follow through with the application process. Keep in mind that for many counseling jobs, a master's degree in mental health counseling or marriage and family counseling will suffice.

I recommend: Check out the wide variety of graduate programs at EducationDynamics. The vast majority of graduate programs require applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE); you can contact the Educational Testing Service to register for it. Prepare a winning personal statement to submit with your application by following the recommendations offered by Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology.

Enhance your chances of gaining psychology employment by completing an accredited internship

Psychologist employment may be easier to find if you've completed an internship accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). These programs can help students determine what areas of psychology interest them the most while gaining valuable experience. Also, many states require hands-on experience at the post-doctoral level, so these internships can help you attain your license to practice.

I recommend: Start your search for internships at the APA, where you'll find a complete list of accredited internship sites across the United States. Once you've selected a few sites, go to the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) to complete the application for internship. APPIC facilitates the process of matching internship applicants with APA-approved training sites.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Psychology employment opportunities can sometimes be hard to find. If you are looking to find a counseling position, you may want to try going back to the site of your post-doctoral licensing internship. In many cases, these educational experiences turn into full-time employment opportunities.

There is no shortage of psychology jobs and, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the field is expected to grow. Much of this growth is attributed to increased needs for psychologists in schools, hospitals, social services, mental health centers and other facilities serving the mentally ill. The greatest need will be for people with a doctoral degree in a specialty, such as counseling, health or a degree in the area of school psychology. As you venture into the field of psychology, keep some of the following key terms in mind, as they are pertinent to success.

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Psychologist

A psychologist is a mental health professional who maintains a psychologist license from their respective jurisdiction. For example, a psychologist living in Texas is required to obtain a psychology license from the Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists. In most states, licensed psychologists have a doctoral degree, at least two years of supervised experience under a practicing psychologist and a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

I recommend: Psychology Information Online offers a wealth of information about the practice of psychology for students, consumers and psychologists.

American Psychological Association, APA

Many job postings will note they require a degree from an APA accredited program. The APA, also known as the American Psychological Association, sets standards for education and training. Training programs and internships go through an extensive process to become APA accredited.

I recommend: Peruse the American Psychological Association Guidelines and Principles for Accreditation of Programs in Professional Psychology to learn more information about the accreditation process.

Forensic psychologist

A forensic psychologist applies their practice of psychology to criminal and civil justice systems. Forensic psychologists work in different capacities, including the treatment of mentally ill offenders, consultation with an attorney, jury selection and analysis of the criminal's mental processes.

I recommend: Psi Chi the National Honor Society in Psychology offers detailed information about the practice of forensic psychology.

Clinical psychologist

The clinical psychologist works with clients at all levels of development ranging from young children to senior citizens. Clients are seen individually or in groups. Groups of clients typically have a common psychopathology or are members of the same family or organization. The clinical psychologist utilizes various assessment and intervention techniques to mollify psychological discomfort and maladjustment, while also enhancing the client's overall mental health.

I recommend: The APA Division 12 Society for Clinical Psychology provides links to blogs, empirically researched forms of treatment and publications.

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Industrial and organizational psychologists focus their practice on behavior in work settings. Specifically they focus on promoting productive worker attitudes and selecting the ideal candidate for a particular position. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology promotes the practice of industrial and organizational psychology as a method for enhancing human well-being and performance in office or work settings.

I recommend: The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, which is a division within the APA, offers additional information about the field of industrial and organizational psychology.

School psychologist

A school psychologist is a professional who assists children and adolescents with academic, social and emotional issues. School psychologists work in cooperation with school staff, parents and other community professionals to establish and maintain a healthy school environment, while also building connections between the home and school. School psychologists must have a minimum specialist-level degree, which included 60 credits and a 1200 hour internship. Many school psychologists hold doctorates, with academic coursework in education, consultation, instruction, child development, school organization, prevention, intervention, program evaluation, learning styles, behavioral strategies and research strategies.

I recommend: Learn more about the activities of a school psychologist at the National Association of School Psychologists.