CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Marc Schaeffer, Ed.D.Senior Academic Advisor /  Career Counselor

Career Development and Gloria S. Williams Advising Center

A FEW QUESTIONS TO START …..

What is the most significant difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist in terms of scope of practice?

Name five academic degrees that could allow you to become licensed to lawfully engage in the practice of psychotherapy in most states in the U.S.

Name five things people trained in psychology can do that have nothing to do with helping a client or patient with psychological problems.

YOU SHOULD BE ASKING …

The question that all undergraduate psychology majors should be asking, and seeking answers to, is “What are your options with an undergraduate degree in psychology?”

The broadest answer to this question is “work,” or “teach in schools” or “graduate school.”

IF WORK WHAT POSITIONS ARE POSSIBLE?

Many students graduating with a bachelor's degree will work in some division of human or social services. General skills acquired by graduates of undergraduate psychology programs include:

Knowledge about human relationships and behavior

Good listening skills Can observe, analyze, and interpret information Have strong writing, critical thinking and

organization of information skills

PSYCHOLOGY SKILLS

Some specific skills for those working in this area include the ability to assess client needs, keep thorough and accurate records, express care and empathy and to act as an advocate for your client. Some common job titles of human or social services positions open to bachelor’s graduates include:

Case Management Career Counselor Rehabilitation Specialist Psychiatric Technician Partial Care Assistant Group Home Counselor Psychiatric Hospital Attendant

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

In addition to human or social services, a bachelor's in psychology can provide excellent training for many other types of jobs. Some of the most important things you have learned during your undergraduate years are interpersonal skills. Your understanding of the human mind and behavior make you a good candidate for jobs that require good communication skills. You have also done a considerable amount of research and writing.

(Source: http://psychology.about.com/od/careersinpsychology/a/careersbach.htm )

RESOURCES FOR HELP The William Paterson University Career

Development and Advising Center web site names a lengthy list of positions that require bachelor’s degree candidates with these kinds of skills:

Academic Advisor

Activity Leader

Admissions Evaluator

Career Planner

Case Worker

Claims Specialist

College Student Affairs

Compensation Manager

Copywriter

Corporate Merchandiser

Correctional Caseworker

Corrections Officer

Creative Director

Customer Service

Representative

Customs/Immigration Officer

Employment Agency Counselor

Employment Recruiter

Group Home Director

Hospice Coordinator

Hotel Events Staff

Human Resources Personnel

Job Developer

Media Buyer

Mediator/Arbitrator

Mental Health Coordinator

Personnel Interviewer

Police Officer

Probation Officer

Program Developer

Real Estate Agent

Recreation Specialist

Researcher

Residential Counselor

Sales Representative

Social Service Professional

Special Features Writer

Statistician Assistant

Student Life Administrator

Television/Media Rep.

Volunteer Services Coordinator

Wage/Benefits Analyst

Youth Corrections Officer

Source: http://www.wpunj.edu/career-advisement/career-development/planning-your-career/careers-in/careersin-psychology.dot

PREPARING FOR THE FIRST JOB Bachelor’s candidates who intend to work directly following completion of the

bachelor’s degree are urged to take certain proactive steps no later than junior year to maximize their readiness to seek work in the field:

Create a WP Job Connect account at: http://www.wpunj.experience.com

Write a resume, highlighting ALL the skills and abilities you have acquired while an undergraduate: Knowledge base of psychology Research Methods Critical Thinking Application of psychology to personal, social and organizational issues Values in Psychology (weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, etc.) Information and technology literacy Communication Skills Socio-cultural and international awareness Personal development Career planning and development

(Source: APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major:

http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/about/psymajor-guidelines.pdf )

DO AN INTERNSHIP

In a presentation entitled “Psychology Internships – Supporting the Covert Curriculum” Professor Heinzen has identified at least seven important potential outcomes of an internship: Networking Skills The importance of taking initiative A realistic work preview Discovering that you dislike all or certain

aspects of a career path Working well with others Financial maturity (saving and spending

habits) Job Offers and strong references

ATTEND A WORKSHOP Attend Workshops in the Career Development and

Advising Center Resume Writing Interviewing Job Search Office Politics Careers in Government Is Grad School in Your Future? Dress for Success Social Networking

  Workshop Schedule posted at:

http://www.wpunj.edu/career-advisement/eventsworkshops/presentations.dot

GRADUATE STUDIES If you opt for graduate study, what degree do you

pursue? That depends on what you want to do!

The American Psychological Association identifies 17 different sub-fields in psychology:

The APA web site provides brief summary descriptions of each of these subfields:

http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx#

•Clinical •Developmental•Evolutionary •Health •Quantitative and Measurement Psychologists

•Cognitive & Perceptual •Educational•Experimental •Neuropsychologists•Rehabilitation•Sports

•Counseling •Engineering •Forensic •Industrial and Organizational •School•Social

WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?

Doctor of Medicine Can be ANY MAJOR as long as you

take two years of Biology, Chemistry through Organic, a year of Physics, a year of Calculus

The WP program is described at: http://www.wpunj.edu/cosh/departments/biology/undergraduate-programs/pre-med.dot

Four years of medical school. GPA requirements for admission typically above 3.5 and include a strong performance on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Three years of residency, the last two of which are in the specialty “psychiatry.”

Ph.D. = Doctor of Philosophy The most typical Ph.D.s undertaken by

students who want to work directly with patients or clients to treat mental illness or mental health concerns are:

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – hardest to get into – GPA around 3.5 for most APA approved programs

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology – not much easier to get into

These both require full doctoral dissertations of original research

Psy.D – a practitoner’s doctorate – typically requires extensive field work and a less research oriented thesis

Individuals who want to teach psychology at a University, or obtain expertise to practice in any of the sub-fields identified earlier, can obtain a doctorate (Ph.D.) in that specific subfield (e.g., Experimental Psychology or Industrial and Organizational Psychology)

MD (Physicians) Doctoral Degrees

WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?

Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people's lives. Social workers assist people by helping them cope with and solve issues in their everyday lives, such as family and personal problems and dealing with relationships. Some social workers help clients who face a disability, life-threatening disease, social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse. Additionally, they may conduct research, advocate for improved services, or become involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting

M.S.W. or D.S.W.

(Master or Doctor of Social Work)

Source: Occupational Outlook handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm

WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?

MSW programs are typically two years in length, and include course work in human growth and development, social policies and programs, methods of practice, and social research

DSW, or Doctor of Social Work degrees, are the terminal degree in social work, and typically require two full-time years beyond a masters and a doctoral dissertation.

Social work programs can vary a lot in emphasis. Many allow students to specialize in methodology, public policy, work with different populations, etc. Some schools seek to prepare professionals for private practice in psychotherapy, others for work in public and non-profit social service agencies, and others for engaging in social planning and social change.

To be eligible for insurance reimbursement or to work in certain clinical settings, one must obtain the L.C.S.W. (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credential. Licensing requirements vary by state. This is a source for licensure information in New Jersey: http://www.naswnj.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=2

M.S.W. or D.S.W.

(Master or Doctor of Social Work)

WHAT GRADUATE DEGREES ENABLE ONE TO PURSUE THOSE VARIOUS FIELDS?

May be in any clinical area of Psychology (e.g. Master’s in Counseling ) and must meet the academic requirements for pursuit of the LPC designation.

Like the M.S.W, not sufficient for insurance reimbursement or to work in most clinical settings.

Must obtain LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) designation

The American Counseling Association provides information on securing the LPC designation: http://www.counseling.org/PublicPolicy/WhoAreLPCs.pdf

MA, MS, or M.Ed.

(Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education )

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

Dr. Marc SchaefferSenior Academic Advisor /  Career CounselorCareer Development & Gloria S. Williams Advising

CenterUniversity Commons (Student Center) Rm. 301schaefferm@wpunj.edu 973-720-3292