Careers in Psychology Are Diverse and Rewarding
Psychology is the study of the human condition, and it can be fascinating and challenging at the same time. Many people think that a psychology degree isn’t as valuable in this day and age, but they would be wrong! Careers in psychology are just as interesting and diverse as career options that are considered more popular. While counseling, therapy, teaching and research are all integral parts of being a psychology professional, how and where you choose to practice your skills is wide open.
While others may be high-tech whizzes or marketing geniuses, it takes a very special person to be able to focus their life’s work on helping others in need. People who specialize in working with others who need urgent mental, physical and social assistance can be deeply rewarding, as well as, economically lucrative for the right individual. Therefore, you should never wonder for one second if careers in psychology are worth pursuing. If your inner voice is telling you to pursue this path, then go for it, because you are going to be among a select group of people who get paid for doing something they love.
Okay, so what types of unique jobs are available for someone looking at careers in psychology and
some specialized training?
List Of Careers In Psychology
Art Therapist – If you have a creative spirit, an art therapist career may be perfect for you. Art therapy offers children and adults, who have gone through trauma, an alternative way to release their pent-up feelings. Encouraging clients to express themselves through drawing, painting or clay sculpture helps them to deal with anxiety, depression, stress and feelings of low self-esteem.
Child Psychologist – Child psychologist specialize in helping children who have a variety of emotional and developmental problems. You will need to have a lot of patience and a natural affection for children to be successful in this role.
Community Counselor – If you are open minded and love being around diverse people, you may like the idea of serving as a community counselor. These are professionals who work with individuals, families and groups of people in a particular community to assist them with various social issues. In this role you would most likely be a counselor, teacher, organizer, as well as, a representative for the community with city leaders and organizations.
Forensic or Criminal Psychology Degree – Due to the popularity of TV shows like CSI and Law and Order, there is a lot more interest in forensic psychology than in the past. This career will take you behind the scenes of law enforcement and give you the opportunity to do things like: criminal profiling, provide counseling for mentally ill inmates, researching law enforcement issues, evaluating potential jurors for jury duty and consulting police departments.
Sports Psychologist – Here’s a way to combine a love for both psychology and sports. Often times, the difference between winning and losing in sports competition comes down to mentality. Teams and individual athletes turn to a sports psychologist to help them get over mental barriers, identify and develop specific skills, conduct research, teach goal setting techniques and offer motivation.
Whatever your particular interests, there is a way to match them with your training and education and a number of psychology jobs. Remember this is just a sampling of the specialties available for careers in psychology.