Psychologists specialize in mental health. They also attempt to explain human behavior. They conduct research to learn more about motivations and influences affecting human behavior. Research procedures vary. They collect information from surveys, interviews, and laboratory tests.
Psychologists often develop expertise in certain subjects. Some assist those with mental illness. Others assist individuals struggling with divorce or the death of someone they were close to. They counsel people in all age groups, but some only counsel the elderly or adolescents.
Psychologists assist people struggling to cope with daily stresses. Some are employed at schools to assist students behaving poorly. Others assist people struggling with problems at their place of employment.
Certain psychologists conduct research at universities and research clinics. They conduct their research working with people and using lab animals.
Working environments differ. Some psychologists work in groups, and some enjoy flexible hours in their own clinics. They could be required to work nights and weekends to fit their clients’ schedules. Psychologists employed at schools and mental health clinics usually work 40 hour weeks.
How do you prepare for this career?
Psychologists must attend school for many years. Some jobs require PhDs. It can take a person 5-7 years after college to earn a PhD. To obtain a Ph.D., students are usually required to write a lengthy research paper.
Those with master's degrees can often become specialists. It often takes 2 years to complete a master's program.
Completing a bachelor's program in psychology is often sufficient to obtain an assistantship at mental health clinics or for psychologists in private practice. Some graduates conduct research.
Psychologists in private practice must be licensed in the state where their office is located. To get a license, psychologists must get certain degrees, acquire a certain level of work experience, and successfully complete an exam. Psychologists who counsel patients must work well with others. Those specializing in research must be self motivated and have the ability to work in groups.
How much will I earn?
Those with salaries in the 50th percentile working in the biggest specialties made between $45,300-77,750 annually during 2008. Those with salaries in lower 10th percentile made $35,280 or less while those in the upper 10th percentile made $102,730 or more annually.
Salaries vary significantly. Salaries for those running successful private practices can be very high.
How many jobs are there?
During 2008, 166,000 psychologists were employed. They could be found at schools, hospitals, research companies, private companies, and government departments.
What is the future outlook for this career?
Job growth for psychologists is projected to increase quicker than average growth in other industries until 2016. More job openings will be made available to assist students, company employees, and others with emotional problems.
Those with PhDs will enjoy more job opportunities. Psychologists that understand how to use computers and conduct effective research will enjoy a competitive edge. Psychologists with only a bachelor’s or master’s degree will have to compete with many people for new job openings.
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