Training for Psychology Jobs
Further your career with the proper training for psychology jobs
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.
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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
- 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.
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