As an incoming undergrad who plans to major in psychology for clinical and counselling purposes, is it worth the time and the effort? Are there ample job opportunities in this profession?

Hi Jesse!

I a lot of people (myself included!) major in psychology because they're interested in doing clinical/counseling work in the future. The undergraduate major will give you a great framework ---- but you are unlikely to be able to leave college and go straight into counseling. You'll most likely need to add a graduate degree or certification.... common choices include getting a masters in social work, becoming a licensed mental health counselor, or getting a graduate degree in psychology.

That being said - there are MANY job opportunities in this field (in my opinion). With the right degree/license/certification, you can work for a hospital, a non-profit, a for-profit, or even independently. There are part-time, full-time, and flexible options. For better or worse, there are plenty of people who need the supportive services provided by mental health professionals!

Good luck!

Dear Jesse,

I don't have much information about employment opportunities in counseling and clinical psychology but every one I know with a doctoral degree has been able to find a job, usually within a few months after graduating. Many psychologists also go into private practice, where they are in business for themselves. With the U.S. population growing and "Obamacare" making it possible for more people to afford medical and mental health care, the job market will likely continue to grow.

The down side to all this is that you have to have a Ph.D. degree in order to be fully licensed. There are some jobs for people with master's degrees but they usually have to work under the supervision of a doctoral level psychologist. While you can expect to make a comfortable living the salaries for psychologists are significantly lower than those of physicians, so if your goal is to make a ton of money it is not the field for you. On the other hand helping people with big life problems can be highly rewarding, and is the reason most people choose this field.

I hope this gives you some useful information. Whatever your final choice I wish you good luck in your studies and career pursuits.

Ray Finn, Ph.D.