2 answers
Fiona
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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As a senior, is it beneficial for me to continue doing something that pays more or would it be better to do something I like?
Since I got onto this platform I realized that I would want my career to be focused more on the human behavior aspect of law enforcement or forensics. However, most jobs like this don't pay well and often come with a heavy mental burden. Going into college and the work life, would it be better for me overall to go into that interest even if I may not be able to live off that job?
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Fiona !
You are requesting information about doing forensics work as a psychologist so there may be some things you should know both about the academic path as well as the career.
In order to work with criminal cases to assist law enforcement, lawyers and courts, you would be called upon when needed. You would have to be a Licensed Psychologist for this work. It means that when you are needed, you would interview the accused person as you do for all your patients and write a report about the person for the person who hired you. In the meantime, you're a Psychologist with a practice and it does pay substantially well. So the only clients or patients you would have would not be forensics based. It requires substantial networking so that the employers know who you are and to call upon you to be the one to do the report. You could also be called as an expert witness for a case, but no guarantee how often that would be, but it pays very well.
In one of your other posts, you stated that you are not a social person, and if that is the case, a career as a Psychologist may not be something you'd like. You would have to have an above average passion for human behavior, be willing to work with everyone and anyone under any circumstance and do a considerable amount of networking, mingling and interacting at college functions and events, conferences, symposiums, panel discussions and give presentations. Again, you seem concerned about pay, but being a Psychologist is very stable as a career and one can draw income a few simultaneous ways. I am curious as to why you think it doesn't pay well, because it does.
The aspect of this I think you'll need to explore is how demanding socially this field is. Since you've said that you're not very social, this could greatly hinder your path as a Psychology student. You could have mildly mentally ill patients, but many will be severely, chronically mentally ill so you'll need to explore what that means. You'll need to have a high tolerance for trauma issues that you'll need to discuss with patients, you'll hear, see and smell things that are not pleasant and you'll need to not take anything that the client says personally if they use bad language towards you, call you names or act out while you're with them. You can't predict who will be your client or patient, so you'd have to go into it not caring about having everything go the way you'd like.
You should never choose a career based on how much money you think you'd make, rather something that you have a passion about and believe you have the tenacity to follow through with. You would have to want to go to college for 8 to 12 years as required in your state of Minnesota. So really think about this. See if you can volunteer at a mental health day program or social service in the community and see what the environment is like.
Keep in mind that in all careers, there's a certain amount of interaction and various social connections that you'd have to make. Many careers require presentations, persuasive and negotiating skills and it takes a lot of education, training and experience to develop those as well as old fashioned life experience.
So you can be assured that most Psychologists are very happy with their incomes, but be sure you can take it a step further socially before commuting to this career.
Wishing you the best !
You are requesting information about doing forensics work as a psychologist so there may be some things you should know both about the academic path as well as the career.
In order to work with criminal cases to assist law enforcement, lawyers and courts, you would be called upon when needed. You would have to be a Licensed Psychologist for this work. It means that when you are needed, you would interview the accused person as you do for all your patients and write a report about the person for the person who hired you. In the meantime, you're a Psychologist with a practice and it does pay substantially well. So the only clients or patients you would have would not be forensics based. It requires substantial networking so that the employers know who you are and to call upon you to be the one to do the report. You could also be called as an expert witness for a case, but no guarantee how often that would be, but it pays very well.
In one of your other posts, you stated that you are not a social person, and if that is the case, a career as a Psychologist may not be something you'd like. You would have to have an above average passion for human behavior, be willing to work with everyone and anyone under any circumstance and do a considerable amount of networking, mingling and interacting at college functions and events, conferences, symposiums, panel discussions and give presentations. Again, you seem concerned about pay, but being a Psychologist is very stable as a career and one can draw income a few simultaneous ways. I am curious as to why you think it doesn't pay well, because it does.
The aspect of this I think you'll need to explore is how demanding socially this field is. Since you've said that you're not very social, this could greatly hinder your path as a Psychology student. You could have mildly mentally ill patients, but many will be severely, chronically mentally ill so you'll need to explore what that means. You'll need to have a high tolerance for trauma issues that you'll need to discuss with patients, you'll hear, see and smell things that are not pleasant and you'll need to not take anything that the client says personally if they use bad language towards you, call you names or act out while you're with them. You can't predict who will be your client or patient, so you'd have to go into it not caring about having everything go the way you'd like.
You should never choose a career based on how much money you think you'd make, rather something that you have a passion about and believe you have the tenacity to follow through with. You would have to want to go to college for 8 to 12 years as required in your state of Minnesota. So really think about this. See if you can volunteer at a mental health day program or social service in the community and see what the environment is like.
Keep in mind that in all careers, there's a certain amount of interaction and various social connections that you'd have to make. Many careers require presentations, persuasive and negotiating skills and it takes a lot of education, training and experience to develop those as well as old fashioned life experience.
So you can be assured that most Psychologists are very happy with their incomes, but be sure you can take it a step further socially before commuting to this career.
Wishing you the best !
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Fiona, it's important to think about both your financial stability and your personal fulfillment. Money is important, but it's not the only factor that determines happiness or success. A job that pays well but leaves you feeling unfulfilled can lead to stress, burnout, and regret over time. On the other hand, doing something you love can bring satisfaction and purpose, even if it doesn't make you rich. The challenge is finding a balance between passion and practicality.
You mentioned being interested in the human behavior aspect of law enforcement or forensics. This is a fascinating and valuable field, as it helps understand why people act the way they do and can contribute to solving crimes or helping victims. However, it's true that many of these roles may not pay as much as other jobs, and they can sometimes take an emotional toll.
Before fully committing, it might help to research specific career paths within this field, such as forensic psychology or criminal analysis, to see which roles match both your interests and your financial goals. Some of these positions require advanced education, but they can lead to stable and meaningful careers.
Another thing to consider is that your career path doesn't have to be a straight line. You could start in a position that pays well to build financial stability and gain experience, then gradually transition into your area of interest. Or, you could look for jobs that combine both aspects. For example, working in policy, research, or education related to criminal behavior, which may offer better pay and a manageable workload.
The best choice depends on your long-term goals. If financial security is your top priority, it may be wiser to choose a higher paying job while keeping your passion as a part of your life through volunteering or side projects. In the long run, a career that aligns with your interests and values will likely bring greater satisfaction and personal growth than one chosen only for the paycheck.
You mentioned being interested in the human behavior aspect of law enforcement or forensics. This is a fascinating and valuable field, as it helps understand why people act the way they do and can contribute to solving crimes or helping victims. However, it's true that many of these roles may not pay as much as other jobs, and they can sometimes take an emotional toll.
Before fully committing, it might help to research specific career paths within this field, such as forensic psychology or criminal analysis, to see which roles match both your interests and your financial goals. Some of these positions require advanced education, but they can lead to stable and meaningful careers.
Another thing to consider is that your career path doesn't have to be a straight line. You could start in a position that pays well to build financial stability and gain experience, then gradually transition into your area of interest. Or, you could look for jobs that combine both aspects. For example, working in policy, research, or education related to criminal behavior, which may offer better pay and a manageable workload.
The best choice depends on your long-term goals. If financial security is your top priority, it may be wiser to choose a higher paying job while keeping your passion as a part of your life through volunteering or side projects. In the long run, a career that aligns with your interests and values will likely bring greater satisfaction and personal growth than one chosen only for the paycheck.