Getting a Job in the Field of Psychology

With all the posts on this blog about the importance of psychology, we've never talked about how to enter the field and get a college degree for it. While it does take time to receive a degree and become a psychologist, it also depends on your specialty area and career interest.

Photo: Micahel Cho's Sketchbook

First, to do anything in the field of psychology - you need to learn about the fundamentals of psychology, and earn your bachelor's degree, which can take 4-5 years to earn. After that, you must earn a master's degree which will take an additional 2-3 years to earn, but it qualifies you to practice in the field. Jobs like a social worker, case manager, and employment specialist are now open to you. Enduring more in the field, most licensing boards require a doctorate which requires 4 -7 more years learning psychology. The type of doctorate you pursue depends on your career path, either a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD). After that, you've earned your doctorate and can enter the job field, that's if you don't have a year of post-doctoral training (which most states do).

Now you've earned your doctorate, now what? The transition from academics to business is not a easy one, especially in this oversaturated market. Many people feel regret or repent their decision to get a degree, but that's because they didn't plan for the future. The good news is if you've made it this far you know people in the business that could lead you the right way. Networking is an essential part in getting a job after college because they can almost directly give you a job if everything goes well. You would be amazed how often people recommend others for an opportunity or introduce you to new people who could do the same. 

With that PsyD or PhD there are many jobs but low demand for them, so get them while you can. Therapists and psychologists are common and universally accepted. If you want to work with young adults you could also become an academic counselor at a school or university in your area. If not, you could become a counselor to help people with a wide variety of problems, marriage, substance abuse, marriage, etc. Point is, there are many jobs out there for psychologists, but it's obviously better to enter with an idea of what specialty you want and what jobs interest you. A word of advice is - once you've earned a PsyD or PhD the world isn't open to you, there's still work to do.

by Lucas W.

Works Cited:

Cherry, Kendra. "List of Psychology Careers: More Than 80 to Consider." Very Well. 27 July, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.verywell.com/a-list-of-psychology-careers-2794917.

Wood, Maren L. "The Ph.D.'s Guide to a Nonfaculty Job Search." The Chronicle of Higher Education. 06 Jan., 2014. Retrieved from http://www.chronicle.com/article/The-PhDs-Guide-to-a/143715.

"How long does it take to become a psychologist?" Capella Logo. Retrieved from https://www.capella.edu/online-psychology-degrees/FAQ/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist/.