Career Paths in Psychology - Essay Example

? Career Paths in Psychology 8th March Psychology illustrates the scientific study of behaviourand mental characteristics or processes of an individual or group where psychologists attempt to describe; explain as well as predict human behaviour. In addition, majoring in psychology allows one to gain better understanding self and others. There are numerous career opportunities in psychology as a profession and among these options are residential care, community and social services, human resources, therapy practice, and teaching. Career Paths in Psychology Early theories on human behaviour are believed to lay the foundation to modern psychology as presented in his belief that intelligent behaviours can be traced back to the ancestors. An evolutionary approach toward the examination of human behaviour allows professionals question traits in an individual. Through asking such questions a psychologist understands characteristics, which contribute to one’s survival and wellbeing. In this regard, problems are seen to have an ancestral root and understanding the root is critical to solving the situation at hand. The use of evolutionary point of view in psychology has led to discovery numerous fields where human mental development is studied to explain human behaviour. There are numerous and viable career options that provide ample opportunities for those majoring in psychology owing to the economic downturn, which has enhanced competition in the job market. Among the available options are residential care, community and social services, human resources consultants, therapeutic practice, and teaching as tutors and lecturers (Rivier University, n.d.). This paper seeks to illustrate career options for those who major in psychology and various encounters in the career paths they choose. Residential care involves provision of psychological services to patients and clients in halfway houses, shelters, and community residences for mentally ill. Resident psychologists offer a various modes of therapeutic options that include general counselling and therapy solutions such as recreational, milieu and expressive therapies (“Career Paths in Psychology” n.d.). The psychologists in this field also offer assistance to those seeking recovery from substance abuse. They provide care to their clients by creating a therapeutic atmosphere to assist in the healing process. Professionals in this field should be have a healthy motivation and should expect extensive screening; as such, possible employers include retirement communities, community mental health providers, youth shelters and education facilities for students with special education needs. In addition, community programs that engage in the substance abuse treatment where rehabilitation services are offered. There is a wide range of position titles that are available for resident psychologists, which include youth service worker, residential worker and specialist, house manager psychiatric residence staffer among others. Depending on the area of specialisation and facility of employment, residential psychologists are bound to experience various challenges with regard to the clientele they are involved with. However, regardless of the field indicated it critical that one is not underemployed or not allowed to explore the full range of knowledge and skills. Community and social services is another field that presents an amicable career path. Social service entails providing clients with critical information and resources that is required for their benefit. Professionals in this field are engaged in connecting their clients with various services that provide assistance and information. In essence, they facilitate the flow of information among social agencies and service providers (“Introduction to Psychology” n.d.). Clients that dominate this field include low-income individuals, juvenile offenders, substance abusers, seniors, the mentally challenges among others. Psychologists in this line of work are charged with task of offering general counselling, keeping record, assessing a wide range of conditions, networking to seek relevant information and interacting multidisciplinary teams. In order to qualify as professional in this field, one has to show concern for others, have the ability to work the system, show appropriate detachment in addition to the academic qualification and certification. Knowledge of other languages is considered an added advantage as it eases the process of communication (“Career Paths in Psychology” n.d.). As such, possible employers include non-profit agencies, medical organisations, government agencies, and correction and rehabilitation programs, insurance companies among others. Job titles associated with social services with regard to psychologists include behavioural psychologist, program manager, clinical coordinator, care manager among others. Some job titles may require specialised training owing to their detailed nature. The other career path that remains open to psychologist is in the human resources department of all major companies worldwide. A human resource psychology professional is charge with the task of developing a cohesive workforce that will attain the organisation’s goals and objectives. In order to achieve this, the professionals are involved in training and developing strengths in workers to boost the overall productivity (Kruger et al 2008). The implementation of organizational psychology is critical in understanding the workplace environment, which helps in evaluating interactions and productivity of workers in an effort to motivate them. Similarly, they are involved in assisting employees manage their careers and develop them within the organisation’s operation framework. Psychology professionals work at employment and placement centres as advisors on career paths. In addition, they find organisational placement at the training and development department as well as the research and information management, owing to their vast understanding and ability to predict human behaviour. In order to serve successfully this above positions, psychologists should have effective communication and public presentation skills. Moreover, they should bear data analysis capabilities alongside academic qualifications and certifications. Possible employers include various industries in the economy such as in healthcare, finance and insurance, education, government, regular and temporary employment agencies. The most common career path for most individuals majoring in psychology is therapy, be it private practice or on employment basis; whereby, clinical psychology is the branch of interest in line with this career path, and it deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders. Therapists are charge with the basic task of diagnosing psychological disorders as well as its management. Patients handled in this career path present with emotional, mental, physical or spiritual problems that require diagnosis with adequate management (Milton 2010). Therapists aim at the management of clients’ psychological problems with the hope of restoring optimum lifestyle, which is achieved through effective participation in a variety of treatment plans. Therapists are expected to facilitate teamwork during therapeutic modalities in group settings or family involvement. Similarly, they are expected to supervise therapeutic progress and advice accordingly. Qualifications associated with therapeutic psychology are relatively vast owing to the availability of different areas of specialisation within this field. As a result, advanced degrees are required in order to practice in specific areas such as behavioural, neurological, mental, and emotional among others. Possible employers include medical institutions, schools, psychiatric facilities, mental health providers, non-profit providers, rehabilitation centres and correctional facilities. Job titles in this career paths ranges from a generalist to a specialist depending on area of academic specialisation. Furthermore, a popular career path in psychology majors is in teaching, where masters and doctoral degree holders can find teaching opportunities in colleges and universities (Kuther and Morgan 2012). However, doctoral degrees are preferred for employment as tutors and lecturers in colleges and universities, thus a masters’ degree achieves junior teaching positions. In this case, educational psychology, which deals with the teaching and learning processes such as the relationship between motivation and school performance, is applied to meet the objectives of the given educational facility. Regardless, there are numerous areas specialisation at both levels, which include neuropsychology, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, applied psychology, social psychology among others. Duties associated with this career path include teaching responsibilities, conducting scholarly research, administrative duties and community service. Alongside the set minimal academic qualification, one has to demonstrate evidence of teaching effectiveness, commitment to community service, cultural sensitivity and hold a record of accomplishment of research and publications. Possible employers at this level include psychology departments in various learning institutions, professional associations and conferences among others. References “Career Paths in Psychology”. (2006). Retrieved from http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/advising/info/careers04.pdf “Introduction to Psychology”. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073382809/872967/Chapter01.pdf Kruger, S. Smit, E. & Du Le Roux. (2008). Basic Psychology for Human Resource Practitioners. Landsdown: Juta and Company Ltd. Kuther, T. & Morgan, R. (2012). Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a Changing World. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning. Milton, M. (2010). Therapy and Beyond: Counselling Psychology Contributions to Therapeutic and Social Issues. New York City: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Rivier University. (n.d.). Career Planning: Psychology Major Career Planning Options. Retrieved from http://www.rivier.edu/cardev/default.aspx?id=2588 Read More