PSYCHOLOGY CLUB MEETING

MAY 10, 2011

ARPI FESTEKJIAN, PH.D.

What are My Career Options What are My Career Options

in Psychology?in Psychology?

Presentation Outline

Career Options in Psychology

Which Psychology Career is Right for Me?

Graduate School Applications Tips for Success!

You have many options!You have many options!

Clinical Psychology Counseling Psychology Developmental PsychologySocial Psychology Educational Psychology Forensic PsychologyIndustrial / Organizational Psychology Neuropsychology / Psychobiology School PsychologyCareers in psychology

Research and Teaching

Need graduate training in any of the subfields

Teaching Community colleges: at least an M.A. Four-year schools: Ph.D.

Research Four-year schools: Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental

disorders (more pathology-focused than counseling)Work in private practice, hospitals, community

mental health centers, schools Ph.D. : scientist and practitioner

major state or private universities (less expensive and more funding)

need to be licensed Psy.D. : practitioner

more hours of clinical experience private graduate schools (more expensive; no RA-ships or

TA-ships) e.g., CSPP, La Verne need to be licensed

Counselor

Help overcome daily life issues (rather than psychiatric illness)

School counselor, substance abuse counselor, Marriage/Family Therapist (MFT)

M.A. in Counseling or Education Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.

School Psychologists & Counselors

help children with emotional, social, and academic issues

coordinate among administrators, teachers, parents, kids

Five areas of service: (1) consultation, (2) evaluation, (3) intervention, (4) prevention, and (5) research and planning

School Psychologist More training in psychopathology, assessment Work with special needs kids, evaluate the academic programs

of the school, assess academic and personal needs M.A. in school psychology

School Counselor Provide counseling M.A. in counseling

Social Worker

Act as advocates for their clientsWork for social welfare agencies (e.g., DCFS)Specialize

Child, Family and School Mental Health and Substance Abuse Medical and Public Health

Masters in Social Work (MSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) : can

also practice therapy

Forensic Psychologist

applies psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law

work in family courts, civil courts, prisons, community mental health centers; can be consultants to attorneys

criminal profiling is rareoffer psychotherapy services, perform child

custody evaluations, investigate reports of child abuse, etc.

doctoral degree in forensic (e.g., U. of AZ, U. of VA), clinical, or counseling psychology

need to be board certified as Diplomat of Forensic Psychology

I/O Psychologist

Studies and advises on behavior in the workplace

Work in…A) business positions dealing with worker productivity, employee training and assessment, and human resources, and/or B) research or academic positions

M.A. in I/O; some programs offer Ph.D.

Clinical Administrator

Manage clinical services of an agency (e.g., staffing, budget, mental healthcare delivery) Rehab centers, nursing homes, mental health centers

Need graduate degree in clinical or counseling and coursework in business administration

Neuropsychologist

Pharmaceutical researchNeuropsychological assessment (e.g., extent

of brain damage) and rehabilitationResearch and academic positionsPh.D. in biopsych, cognitive neuropsych,

clinical neuropsych

Careers with a B.A.

Human resources jobs (employment, recruitment, placement, training, development, compensation, benefits)

Child life specialist (help children and families cope with hospitalization)

Many othersEntry level jobs for psychology majors

Which Psychology Career is right for me?

Quiz

Morgan, B. L., & Korschgen, A. J. (2008). Majoring in Psychology: Career Options for Psychology Undergraduates (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

REALISTIC INVESTIGATIVE

ARTISTIC SOCIAL

ENTERPRISING CONVENTIONAL

TAKE THE QUIZ!

HOLLAND’S (1959) PERSONALITY TYPES

Graduate School Applications

Application to the graduate division of the school Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scoresApplication to the Psychology Department3 Letters of Recommendation Statement of Purpose

Achievements/Accomplishments Career and Professional Goals How will the program meet your goals?

Resources: The process of applying to graduate school Book: Graduate Study in Psychology

Tips for success

Identify what kind of program is right for you and make a timeline

Get to know your professorsGet involved in researchExtracurricular activities (e.g., volunteer work,

academic club)Seek an internship and/or work experienceGo to ELAC’s Career and Job Services Center (E1-

176) Search for campus workshops that focus on self-

development (e.g., time/stress management) May 19 4:00-6:00: Social and Behavioral Sciences Workshop E7-

313 Build on your personal and professional skills