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What do you need to have a successful career inn psychology
I am a sophomore in college and it is my first year majoring in psychology and I hear the in psychology you don't get job opportunities after graduating. I am interested in psychology because it help me help people and its a career I have been thinking about because of my child development classes in high school in which I had to take psychology. I am thinking about clinical psychology to be a therapist or a psychologist or psychiatrist I also am thinking about social work or public health or communication and I just would want to know the next steps or what advice is there to help ensure a post graduate job and intern opportunities.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Arianna !
Congratulations on your first year in college ! Yes, you should be exploring now the many realms of Mental Health and choose a specific career so that could guide your education.
I thought I'd contribute my perspective on some things that you've mentioned. To begin with, when you start doing work experience with clients, you'll soon see that the basis of this work lies in the client helping themself through your guidance. Your therapy with them will be based on a psych-social history of the client, your analytical skills and assessment for a care plan. You will base this on the client's needs, not yours or what you think should be. As a psychology professional, Licensed and Certified, you will have to follow established routines and protocol that you may not always agree with, but is best for the client. So, having a passion for human behavior is vital over the need to "help" people.
You will find out through your practicums and internships that not all clients want to be in therapy. Some are very receptive, pleasant and some can be resistant and overstep boundaries. You'll need to approach your work with objectivity, not for the need to "help" them, as not everyone accepts help or has the capacity for it. If you become a Social Worker, Psychologist or a Psychiatrist you will be working with clients/patients that are mildly or situationally mentally ill, severely chronically mentally ill and everything in between. The "helpy" sort of of career is to become a Social Service Case Manager for which you can help clients with benefits, advocacy, situational counseling, transportation, food, housing, etc. But the careers you've mentioned are higher in level and have good salaries as compared to Case Management. So I recommend that you choose from Social Worker, Psychologist or Psychiatrist for much better opportunities.
If you are concerned about positions after you graduate, even though you live in a major city where opportunities abound, speak with your professors about your concerns. Do some research on the places that exist in your city and see how many places there are and also in the Bay Area as a whole. No one can predict the opportunities you personally would have. Also, there's nothing anyone can tell you to assure you of a job. What you can do now is make very strong connections with your Psychology Department professors and staff. Ask about Mental Health Conferences that you can attend for learning more and networking. Like every career, it is a process and you must take things step by step, episodically and let things flow naturally. You cannot plan the opportunity you'd have 6 to 12 years from now, you'll need to grow into it and recognize the best opportunities for you personally.
Also, keep in mind that in psychology, you'd do internships while in college/medical school. Once you become licensed and certified, you will go out for career positions, not an internship.
I hope this sheds some light on things. Interact with your psychology department and keep your eye out for volunteer work or internships for your Junior and Senior years in undergrad school. I wish you all the best !
Congratulations on your first year in college ! Yes, you should be exploring now the many realms of Mental Health and choose a specific career so that could guide your education.
I thought I'd contribute my perspective on some things that you've mentioned. To begin with, when you start doing work experience with clients, you'll soon see that the basis of this work lies in the client helping themself through your guidance. Your therapy with them will be based on a psych-social history of the client, your analytical skills and assessment for a care plan. You will base this on the client's needs, not yours or what you think should be. As a psychology professional, Licensed and Certified, you will have to follow established routines and protocol that you may not always agree with, but is best for the client. So, having a passion for human behavior is vital over the need to "help" people.
You will find out through your practicums and internships that not all clients want to be in therapy. Some are very receptive, pleasant and some can be resistant and overstep boundaries. You'll need to approach your work with objectivity, not for the need to "help" them, as not everyone accepts help or has the capacity for it. If you become a Social Worker, Psychologist or a Psychiatrist you will be working with clients/patients that are mildly or situationally mentally ill, severely chronically mentally ill and everything in between. The "helpy" sort of of career is to become a Social Service Case Manager for which you can help clients with benefits, advocacy, situational counseling, transportation, food, housing, etc. But the careers you've mentioned are higher in level and have good salaries as compared to Case Management. So I recommend that you choose from Social Worker, Psychologist or Psychiatrist for much better opportunities.
If you are concerned about positions after you graduate, even though you live in a major city where opportunities abound, speak with your professors about your concerns. Do some research on the places that exist in your city and see how many places there are and also in the Bay Area as a whole. No one can predict the opportunities you personally would have. Also, there's nothing anyone can tell you to assure you of a job. What you can do now is make very strong connections with your Psychology Department professors and staff. Ask about Mental Health Conferences that you can attend for learning more and networking. Like every career, it is a process and you must take things step by step, episodically and let things flow naturally. You cannot plan the opportunity you'd have 6 to 12 years from now, you'll need to grow into it and recognize the best opportunities for you personally.
Also, keep in mind that in psychology, you'd do internships while in college/medical school. Once you become licensed and certified, you will go out for career positions, not an internship.
I hope this sheds some light on things. Interact with your psychology department and keep your eye out for volunteer work or internships for your Junior and Senior years in undergrad school. I wish you all the best !
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
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Charlotte’s Answer
Hi,
To have a successful career in psychology, it’s important to plan ahead and gain relevant experience during your undergraduate years. While it’s true that some psychology graduates find it challenging to get jobs right out of college, there are plenty of ways to set yourself up for success. Since you’re interested in clinical psychology, social work, public health, and communication, focus on gaining practical experience through internships, volunteering, or working in settings like mental health clinics, community centers, or social service organizations. Joining psychology-related clubs or honor societies can also build your network and enhance your resume. Consider getting involved in research with professors, as this experience is highly valued for graduate programs. If you’re aiming to become a therapist or psychologist, plan on pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree since most counseling or clinical positions require advanced training and licensure. Social work and public health careers might only require a master’s degree, but hands-on experience is still key. You can also look into certifications or workshops that build your skills in counseling or mental health support. Staying proactive, building connections through networking, and gaining real-world experience will make you more competitive and prepared for a career in psychology or related fields. Let me know if you need advice on internships or finding the right grad program!
To have a successful career in psychology, it’s important to plan ahead and gain relevant experience during your undergraduate years. While it’s true that some psychology graduates find it challenging to get jobs right out of college, there are plenty of ways to set yourself up for success. Since you’re interested in clinical psychology, social work, public health, and communication, focus on gaining practical experience through internships, volunteering, or working in settings like mental health clinics, community centers, or social service organizations. Joining psychology-related clubs or honor societies can also build your network and enhance your resume. Consider getting involved in research with professors, as this experience is highly valued for graduate programs. If you’re aiming to become a therapist or psychologist, plan on pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree since most counseling or clinical positions require advanced training and licensure. Social work and public health careers might only require a master’s degree, but hands-on experience is still key. You can also look into certifications or workshops that build your skills in counseling or mental health support. Staying proactive, building connections through networking, and gaining real-world experience will make you more competitive and prepared for a career in psychology or related fields. Let me know if you need advice on internships or finding the right grad program!
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Good for you for thinking ahead and sorting through your many career options. I will let others better qualified than I am, discuss the psychology options. I did want to make sure you knew, though, that psychiatrists are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school and then done a psychiatry residency. Medical school is typically four years and then psychiatry residency is generally another four years. If you are thinking of going this route, it is very important to connect with the pre-medical advisors at your college to be sure you are taking the correct set of classes required to apply to medical school and that your preparation for the MCAT (the medical college admissions test) is on track. This is a much different pathway than the psychology career preparation pathway. Both can be valuable and rewarding careers but it is necessary to figure out which direction you want to pursue.
Please write back if you have further questions. Good luck!!
Please write back if you have further questions. Good luck!!