Comfort, Counseling and Care: Are You Considering a Career in Psychology?

A career in Psychology has more to it than running your own street booth, but the rewards of this path is well worth the effort ... photo by CC user Allen Timothy Chang on wikimedia

The subject of psychology is relatively young. People have likely pondered thought processes and behavior for centuries, yet it did not begin to become a course of study until the turn of the 20th century. Today, plenty of people enlist in courses of psychology, which lead to a number of potential careers. However, not many know their options.

If you’re considering a career in psychology, read the following to realize the diversity of career choices.

Vocational Counselor

The US economy is in the wake of the Great Recession. A lot of people have switched careers, been laid off, or released from previous positions, which makes them anxious and in need of suggestions. Vocational counselors help others find jobs and successfully pursue careers. Aside from a person’s wants and intuitions, vocational counselors survey skills and help align clients with a realistic and rewarding career path.

School Psychologist

School psychologists work with children to alleviate social, academic, and emotional problems. School psychology is a fast growing field due to increased interest in the mental health and academic progress of kids and teenagers. At the moment, the demand for school psychologists outgrows the number of those qualified.

Counselor

Counselors help those with a range of immediate and long-term issues, whether it be associated to family, marriage, education, or substance abuse. A significant amount of counselors work in the health care and social welfare industries. A smaller percentage work for state and local governments and usually need a master’s degree and state license.

Genetic Counselor

Genetic counselors provide data regarding genetic disorders, helping couples and families make educated decisions. Such professionals have advanced degrees in psychology and genetics, with undergraduate degrees in biology, psychology, nursing, and public health. Genetic counselors work with medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and geneticists to provide counseling to people who are dealing with a family member’s disorder or who have the potential of passing down a genetic disorder to offspring.

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists assist detectives and police officers with crime scenes and evidence. Aside from adventurous roles depicted in movies and television, forensic psychologists work with experts to resolve child custody issues, question insurance claims, evaluate child custody cases, and investigate those suspected of child abuse.

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists are professionals most conjure when thinking of psychology workers. Such professionals assess, diagnose, and treat clients who host disorders. Clinical psychologists work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. It’s not simple to become a clinical psychologist; you must attain a doctorate-level degree in clinical psychology, and many states require an internship period. Moreover, graduate schools are tough to get into and very competitive once there. Most states host advanced degree programs; find an online college in Texas, seek out traditional universities in your area, or do an online search for programs in your area and beyond.

Sports Psychologist

Sports psychologists work with athletes, coaches, and entire teams, focusing on motivation, performance, and injuries. A sports psychologist does not necessarily need to work within an organization; alternatively, some use athletics to help people overcome emotional and physical ailments. Sports psychologists can work in hospitals, athletic centers, or have their own private practices.

If wondering about thoughts and behavior has always been an interest, and you like the idea of helping others both mentally and physically, a career in psychology is right for you. Once you attain a Bachelor’s degree, you can then focus on proceeding with your education, specializing in school, sports, clinical, genetic psychology, and beyond.

Albert Rodriguez has spent many years in the frontline of psychological services. He always appreciates the chance to share his insights online. You can find other articles written by him on several different relevant websites.