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scarlett
Student
Sugar Hill, Georgia
1
Question
Updated
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I want to be a neuropsychologist and I was wondering what steps I should take to achieve this dream?
How do I know if I will like my major? What if my dream profession is too niche?
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1 answer
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Scarlett,
Dreaming big yet still being a little nervous about whether you'll truly enjoy your journey is quite natural. Although neuropsychology seems specialized, in all honesty? Because of everything going on in brain science, aging populations, concussion research, neurodevelopment, and tech-based assessment tools, it's one of psychology's fastest-growing intersections. Your dream is therefore in line with current trends rather than being overly specialized.
Here’s the high-level roadmap most future neuropsychologists follow:
1. Start with a psychology or neuroscience major: You don't have to decide which one you'll love better right away. It won't take long for your introductory courses to show if you're interested in research, clinical work, cognition, or brain-behavior science. It's important to pay attention to what makes you happy.
2. Build exposure early: This is where the “Do I even like this?” question becomes clearer. Look for:
- labs studying cognition, memory, neurodevelopment, or neuroimaging
- volunteer roles in hospitals or neurorehab centers
- shadowing opportunities with neuropsychologists (even one afternoon can be eye-opening)
Views from the inside always reduce the guesswork.
3. Plan for graduate school: Here’s the honest part: neuropsychology requires a long runway. You’ll need:
- a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology
- coursework in neuroscience or neuropsych assessment
- a neuropsychology-focused internship
- a two-year neuropsychology postdoc
Big commitment, yes, but every phase gives you clearer confirmation about whether the work fits you.
4. Don’t panic about getting “locked in.” Even if you start down the neuropsych path and then later shift, you’re not stuck. This path opens doors to clinical psychology, cognition research, health psychology, rehabilitation work, and even tech positions tied to brain-based products. You don't waste what you learn.
5. Listen to your curiosity, not your fear. Your curiosity will get you through the work if you're interested in behavior, the brain, and assisting people with difficult cognitive tasks. You don't fall in love with your major right away; instead, you develop a passion for it as you try new things, experience different settings, and connect with mentors who recognize your potential.
You don't have a really specialized dream. It is relevant, ambitious, and completely doable. Additionally, you are already acting with the kind of intentionality that enables students to succeed in this subject because you are asking these questions right now.
Best wishes!
Dreaming big yet still being a little nervous about whether you'll truly enjoy your journey is quite natural. Although neuropsychology seems specialized, in all honesty? Because of everything going on in brain science, aging populations, concussion research, neurodevelopment, and tech-based assessment tools, it's one of psychology's fastest-growing intersections. Your dream is therefore in line with current trends rather than being overly specialized.
Here’s the high-level roadmap most future neuropsychologists follow:
1. Start with a psychology or neuroscience major: You don't have to decide which one you'll love better right away. It won't take long for your introductory courses to show if you're interested in research, clinical work, cognition, or brain-behavior science. It's important to pay attention to what makes you happy.
2. Build exposure early: This is where the “Do I even like this?” question becomes clearer. Look for:
- labs studying cognition, memory, neurodevelopment, or neuroimaging
- volunteer roles in hospitals or neurorehab centers
- shadowing opportunities with neuropsychologists (even one afternoon can be eye-opening)
Views from the inside always reduce the guesswork.
3. Plan for graduate school: Here’s the honest part: neuropsychology requires a long runway. You’ll need:
- a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology
- coursework in neuroscience or neuropsych assessment
- a neuropsychology-focused internship
- a two-year neuropsychology postdoc
Big commitment, yes, but every phase gives you clearer confirmation about whether the work fits you.
4. Don’t panic about getting “locked in.” Even if you start down the neuropsych path and then later shift, you’re not stuck. This path opens doors to clinical psychology, cognition research, health psychology, rehabilitation work, and even tech positions tied to brain-based products. You don't waste what you learn.
5. Listen to your curiosity, not your fear. Your curiosity will get you through the work if you're interested in behavior, the brain, and assisting people with difficult cognitive tasks. You don't fall in love with your major right away; instead, you develop a passion for it as you try new things, experience different settings, and connect with mentors who recognize your potential.
You don't have a really specialized dream. It is relevant, ambitious, and completely doable. Additionally, you are already acting with the kind of intentionality that enables students to succeed in this subject because you are asking these questions right now.
Best wishes!