5 answers
Deantron
Student
Palm Bay, Florida
1
Question
Asked
1440 views
Why should i become a psychologist, is it worth it?
i have been looking into it for a while
Login to comment
5 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1024
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Deantron,
You've been thinking about psychology seriously for a while, which is a great sign because it usually indicates that there's something about the profession that really appeals to you.
A career in psychology may be worthwhile, but like any other, it will depend on your personal and professional goals. Helping people is at the heart of the psychology profession, whether that is through research, teaching, therapy, or influencing mental health regulations. Psychology can be very rewarding if you're interested in making a difference in people's lives, enjoy listening to and helping others, and have a natural curiosity about the mind.
However, becoming a professional psychologist is a lengthy process that often involves graduate coursework, supervised experience, and passing licensing exams. However, a lot of people find the journey fulfilling since it teaches them about human behavior, relationships, emotions, and how to support others through difficult times, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally.
Psychology opens up a variety of career options. You can work in forensics, athletics, the corporate world (such as in organizational psychology or human resources), private practice, schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, and more. Private practice eventually gives you the opportunity to choose your own hours and pace if that's something you're also interested in.
Tuning in with yourself is important. Do you find a deep understanding of people appealing? Does helping others bring you happiness? Will you put in the scholarly work necessary for a people-focused, somewhat emotionally taxing, yet highly impactful career?
If the majority of the response is yes, then it may be worthwhile to pursue a career in psychology.
Take your time, speak with experts in the field, and don't be scared of going into other areas of psychology as you go. Just take the next step; you don't need to know everything right now.
Best wishes!
You've been thinking about psychology seriously for a while, which is a great sign because it usually indicates that there's something about the profession that really appeals to you.
A career in psychology may be worthwhile, but like any other, it will depend on your personal and professional goals. Helping people is at the heart of the psychology profession, whether that is through research, teaching, therapy, or influencing mental health regulations. Psychology can be very rewarding if you're interested in making a difference in people's lives, enjoy listening to and helping others, and have a natural curiosity about the mind.
However, becoming a professional psychologist is a lengthy process that often involves graduate coursework, supervised experience, and passing licensing exams. However, a lot of people find the journey fulfilling since it teaches them about human behavior, relationships, emotions, and how to support others through difficult times, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally.
Psychology opens up a variety of career options. You can work in forensics, athletics, the corporate world (such as in organizational psychology or human resources), private practice, schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, and more. Private practice eventually gives you the opportunity to choose your own hours and pace if that's something you're also interested in.
Tuning in with yourself is important. Do you find a deep understanding of people appealing? Does helping others bring you happiness? Will you put in the scholarly work necessary for a people-focused, somewhat emotionally taxing, yet highly impactful career?
If the majority of the response is yes, then it may be worthwhile to pursue a career in psychology.
Take your time, speak with experts in the field, and don't be scared of going into other areas of psychology as you go. Just take the next step; you don't need to know everything right now.
Best wishes!
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
422
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Deantron:
Any career is worth it if you have the passion, determination and discipline to pursue it. Are you an extrovert who enjoys helping people? What is it about the Psychology field that has you interested in it? The following information below will provide recommendations on pursuing an education and a career in Psychology.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Psychology. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.
While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information. The guidance counselor at your school can be a great resource and sounding board on how to pursue a career in Psychology. Also, it is best to seek out advice and guidance from your teachers, Physical Education Coaches, club advisors, etc.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain the entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/websites-to-kick-off-your-scholarship-search
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
Any career is worth it if you have the passion, determination and discipline to pursue it. Are you an extrovert who enjoys helping people? What is it about the Psychology field that has you interested in it? The following information below will provide recommendations on pursuing an education and a career in Psychology.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Psychology. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.
While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information. The guidance counselor at your school can be a great resource and sounding board on how to pursue a career in Psychology. Also, it is best to seek out advice and guidance from your teachers, Physical Education Coaches, club advisors, etc.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain the entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/websites-to-kick-off-your-scholarship-search
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
Mrs. Joan Catherine Tormes
9
Answers
Updated
Mrs. Joan Catherine’s Answer
I love your question and I am happy to answer.
1. In order to make any money in this field you must have a license. It’s not a difficult major, but an interesting one.
I have loved using my art therapy/other skills while helping many people in many different age groups. Yes, it is worth it.
1. In order to make any money in this field you must have a license. It’s not a difficult major, but an interesting one.
I have loved using my art therapy/other skills while helping many people in many different age groups. Yes, it is worth it.
Kelsey McClenning
Human Capital Consulting
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Kelsey’s Answer
Hi Deantron - great question! There are many fields of Psychology one can go into and specialize in.
Psychology in and of itself is a great foundation for learning and understanding people - which you will deal with in any job, situation, etc.!
I am an Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist. I did my undergraduate in Psychology and explored various fields of Psychology prior to deciding to pursue an advanced degree in I/O. It has been well worth it to me, as my daily work as a Human Capital Consultant deals with I/O Psychology related problems. I have various friends and colleagues who also studied Psychology in undergrad. Some of them went on to pursue an advance degree to be specific Psychologists like myself (Clinical, Counseling, etc.) and some joined a career in a related field where they still use their Psychology degree, just in a different way (think any role that deals with heavy people interaction - such as a talent acquisition specialist).
Something to keep in mind is that most oftentimes, in order to be a specific Psychologist, you must pursue an advanced degree. Whether you take a few Psychology classes, hold a Psychology degree (major or minor), or decide to pursue it at an advanced level, the study of Psychology is a great field to help you in any people-related career.
Psychology in and of itself is a great foundation for learning and understanding people - which you will deal with in any job, situation, etc.!
I am an Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist. I did my undergraduate in Psychology and explored various fields of Psychology prior to deciding to pursue an advanced degree in I/O. It has been well worth it to me, as my daily work as a Human Capital Consultant deals with I/O Psychology related problems. I have various friends and colleagues who also studied Psychology in undergrad. Some of them went on to pursue an advance degree to be specific Psychologists like myself (Clinical, Counseling, etc.) and some joined a career in a related field where they still use their Psychology degree, just in a different way (think any role that deals with heavy people interaction - such as a talent acquisition specialist).
Something to keep in mind is that most oftentimes, in order to be a specific Psychologist, you must pursue an advanced degree. Whether you take a few Psychology classes, hold a Psychology degree (major or minor), or decide to pursue it at an advanced level, the study of Psychology is a great field to help you in any people-related career.
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
200
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Deantron, first I wonder what led to your interest in psychology and what you personally consider worthwhile pursuits? In other words, what will make something "worth it"? This question gets at your values. If you do choose to study psychology, clinical counseling, or any number of similar studies (social work, occupational therapy, psychiatric nursing, psychiatry) you will need a graduate degree to work in a clinical context. For psychology you may pursue an MA or MS degree and also consider a doctorate. A master's might take around three years while a doctorate much longer depending upon the program and time it takes to complete your dissertation. You have to also factor in whether you are working or have responsibilities that take a lot of time outside of your educational pursuits. Some career paths for someone with a psychology degree- providing psychotherapy, testing, research, academia (teaching), supervision, consultation, and behavioral health related management. An example of different settings- university, public school, hospital, government (VA, FBI, jail or prison), non-profit community or public health clinic, private practice, etc. You must need a passion for learning about how people think, behave, respond to trauma or adverse events, the nature of change and healing, factors of resiliency, and counseling theory. Part of working in this field also means having an understanding about psychiatric diagnosis, research, and ethics. It is not an easy path as there are multiple requirements along the way- educational milestones, supervision hours, clinical hours, a licensing exam, and ongoing educational credits to complete (for state licensure). It is a commitment. If you are still interested, go for it! Don't let the 'it's not easy' part stunt your enthusiasm. On the other hand, if you have lingering doubts, I encourage you to check out alternatives. Some things to think about- time, your financial situation and willingness to take on student loans, the academic content of a program, potential career outcomes, potential salary, and career growth potential. I cannot stress how useful it may be to sort this out for yourself in advance. There are many ways you might leverage your interest in psychology to similar careers if that sounds appealing. And if you do decide to pursue psychology, there are multiple niches to explore (different techniques, theory, population focus, expressive therapies, and more). It is a fascinating topic that will keep you on your toes always learning more.