Psychology Jobs

The field of psychology provides a wide variety of possible careers. In addition to traditional jobs such as psychotherapy and counseling, psychology jobs include school counseling, forensic psychology, social work or a career focused on research. Schools, government organizations and large businesses all often hire people with backgrounds in psychology to serve as counselors.

A psychology career generally requires advanced education, with a Bachelor's degree at the minimum. Most working psychologists have doctorates and have also pursued additional training and study. Clinical psychologists in particular tend to have advanced education credentials, including medical training.

Traditional Psychology Careers

The most common career to pursue after obtaining a psychology degree is that of a clinical psychologist. Clinical psychologists are usually self-employed, running their own individual practices, though some work in conjunction with other psychologists or psychiatrists, or with hospitals or other medical institutions. A clinical psychologist usually focuses on individual therapy and counseling or group therapy.

Counseling positions at schools or universities are also fairly common. Most schools have an on-site counselor for students who need ongoing assistance or to deal with specific situations such as grief counseling. These counselors can be of great help to students, especially those lacking an authority figure at home with whom they can discuss their issues and problems.

Other Psychology Jobs

Aside from clinical psychology, psychologists can find fulfilling jobs applying their training in other ways. Developmental psychologists study and observe the natural sequence of development in children and adults, determining if there are any abnormalities or developmental delays. Social psychologists work with groups, studying the ways in which individuals and groups of individuals interact and work with each other. Other psychologists work within an industry or an individual company to increase productivity and improve the quality of work life of employees.

Although it requires extensive education, psychology is a lucrative career for those with an interest in the field. It is also a field that can offer great satisfaction and the rewards of helping others. With the wide variety of options, a career in psychology is certain to be a rewarding one.