Psychology Jobs

Find the top resources for a rewarding career in psychology

By LaRita Heet, Freelance Writer, Journalist, IBT Designer LMH Communications

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:

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

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

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.