Career Opportunities in Psychology

Career Opportunities in Psychology

Career Specialties

Child Psychologist

A child psychologist deals with development issues affecting children from an environmental, psychological, and mental perspective. Child psychologists play a considerable role in determining child-related problems that lead them to behave in a certain way. A child psychologist could diagnose erratic behavior, for example, and the necessary treatment advised. An environmental background in which there is physical abuse, for example, is likely to affect a child negatively. Issues such as violence and bullying, for example, could arise. Child psychologists are common in both the private and public sectors. Children with chronic illnesses, for, instance are more prone to psychological issues hence the need for child psychologists in pediatric hospitals.

The salary range of a child psychologist ranges between $41760 and $171,587 (American Psychological Association, 2020). Various factors, however, determine the salary range of a child psychologist.  Education varies from a doctoral, master’s, and an undergraduate degree, for example. In most instances, a higher education level translates to a higher salary. A doctoral degree is, however, required to be practice as a clinical psychologist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). As children develop issues related to exposure, child psychologists are and will continue to be needed; hence the career outlook is promising. In this regard, it is a potential career option.
Counseling Psychologist

Counseling psychologists are involved with the overall well being of an individual concerning psychological, emotional, and physical factors (American Psychological Association, 2020). All these factors affect lifestyle; hence understanding these factors translates to better lifestyle changes quality life. The psychologists are enlisted to help individuals deal with everyday stressors related to work, family setting, and environmental backgrounds. Life stressors in this regard could include ethnic, religious, or racial stressors that affect individual lifestyles. These stressors affect the quality of life an individual lives. Counseling psychologists are thus found in various institutions such as schools, workplaces, religious institutions, to name a few.

Education involves doctoral, master’s, undergraduate, and diploma qualification. A doctoral degree is, however, mostly required for counseling psychologists (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). Depending on the level of education, counseling psychologists are employed in various work locations under different ranks. Payment ranges between $41,760 and $171,587. Various factors other than the level of education impact salary range. These include whether an institution is private or public with or without collective bargaining, religious or independent. If a counselor, for example, works in a public institution with collective bargaining, the salary could range between $53,760 and $171,587. A public institution without collective bargaining, on the other hand, could range between $45,099 and $133,373 (American Psychological Association, 2020). Licensing is paramount by the relevant counseling authority to practice as a counseling psychologist. Stressors are prevalent, and with an increase in lifestyle-induced psychological issues, counseling psychologist’s career outlook remains promising. It is thus a potential career option.

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists are responsible for the experimental and observational treatment. Behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders are assessed, diagnosed, and treated by a clinical psychologist. Observational and experimental assessment is done to help authenticate clinical research results. The results help determine which treatment processes are best suited for specific conditions and which ones are not. A clinical psychologist can work in private or public hospitals as well as public health and social service institutions. Mental institutions, for example, enlist the services of clinical psychologists. One can also work in a learning institution as a teacher of clinical psychology.

A license is required to practice as a clinical specialist. Education ranks are as high as a doctoral program. A doctoral qualification is preferred for one to practice as a clinical psychologist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). Salaries range between $41,760 and $171,587. Clinical psychologists can work in various sectors; hence the career outlook is diverse. A rising need for psychological and behavioral assistance also increases the need for the services (American Psychological Association, 2020). In this regard, it is a future career option.
Developmental Psychologist

Developmental psychologists are involved in the developmental aspects of individuals. Development refers to intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. The area of study previously included children and adolescents. However, the older population bracket has been added. These professionals thus work in learning institutions as teachers, public and private health care facilities, as well as institutions for the elderly such as assisted living homes. Development psychologists assess, evaluate, and treat people based on the growth factors outlined (American Psychological Association, 2020). Licensing is required from the relevant psychology body.

Education varies from an undergraduate degree to a doctoral degree. Salary ranges between $41,760 and $171,587 depending on various factors. Some of these factors include the type of institution, level of education, and experience, for example. As the life span of the older population increases, developmental psychologist services increase as well. The need for an independent life for the older population translates to a need for research on the most practical methods. In this regard, the services as concerns children, adolescents, and the elderly population remain necessary and popular. In this regard, it is a future career option.

Experimental Psychologist

Experimental psychologists are predominantly involved in animal and human research. As such, analysis is carried out by answering a question through approving or disapproving it. As regards human behavior study is based on finding out why human beings behave in a particular way under certain circumstances. The practice thus explains emotional, physical, social, and psychological aspects that influence human behavior. An experimental psychologist in this regard can work in various fields that include but are not limited to zoos, government agencies, leaning institutions such as universities and research centers (American Psychological Association, 2020).  An individual working for a government agency could, for example, be involved in the study of human behavior as regards military and security agents. Such a review would be necessary for better preparing the agents for potential field scenarios.

Education varies from an undergraduate degree to a doctoral degree. A doctorate is preferred for an experimental psychologist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). A higher level of education, however, could translate to better jobs and a higher salary. It is, however, essential to note that salary is determined by other factors such as the type of institution. It thus means that institutions with collective bargaining are likely to have a better salary range than those without. Salary ranges between $45,099 and $171,587 (American Psychological Association, 2020).  Experimental psychologists are essential in research. Conclusive results made from studies are, for example, used in diagnosing and treating issues in other fields of psychology. It is thus impossible not to have experimental psychologists. As such, the career outlook in the area is promising as more institutions embrace human behavior study to increase productivity.  It is a career option in this regard.
Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists apply human behavior based on various emotional, psychological, social, and physical factors, for example, to legal issues. Such evaluation helps determine the legal standing of a case. The determination of child custody, for example, can be made using forensic psychologist evaluation. In this regard, these professionals work within the legal system, such as the judicial system. Law enforcement agencies equally recruit the services of forensic psychologists. Though not as common as clinical or counseling psychologists, forensic psychologists exist in the psychology field.

Education includes degree, masters, and doctorate qualifications. Unlike experimental psychologists who possess higher numbers of doctoral degrees, forensic psychologists can adequately function with an undergraduate degree. Salaries vary depending on various factors, such as the working institution. Salaries thus range between $45,099 and $171,587 (American Psychological Association, 2020). Licensing is required to practice forensic psychologist services from the relevant body. As behavioral analysis continues to be embraced concerning understanding crime, forensic psychology is necessary. It is not as common as clinical, child, or counseling psychology, for example. However, it is a future career option.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

I-O psychologists apply psychological principles in workplaces intending to increase workplace productivity.  Productivity is increased by improving the health and quality of life. Training and employee development is one way of enhancing the quality of life in the workplace. Industrial-organizational psychologists hence assist in the hiring and promotion process of a work environment. Such individuals can also offer consultation services. Job opportunities can thus be found in both the private and public sectors. Since HR services are required in various fields, industrial-organizational psychologists can, therefore, work for organizations in multiple industries such as manufacturing, health care, to name a few.

Salary ranges between $41,760 and $171,587 (American Psychological Association, 2020). Factors such as the type of institution impact the salary paid. Education equally affects salary. A master’s level professional may earn more than an undergraduate level professional, for example. A master’s degree is preferred for one to practice as an industrial-organizational psychologist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). Licensing from a relevant body is required to practice as an industrial-organizational psychologist. This branch of psychology is not as common as other branches such as clinical, counseling, and school psychologists, for example. It thus means that career outlooks are less compared to other branches of psychology. In this regard, it is not a future career option.
Health Psychologist

A health psychologist analyzes how biological, social, and psychological factors affect health. These factors, for example, explain why some patients do not follow through with medication or why some illnesses affect certain people and not others, for example. In this regard, these professionals work closely with health care individuals to determine the best treatment. Health psychology also explains the relationship between physical and psychological pain. A presence of the former is likely to result in the latter, for example. A health psychologist can work in various health-related institutions.

Education includes an undergraduate degree, masters, and doctoral degree. Salary depends on various factors but ranges between $41,760 and $171,587. The institution one works for plays a role in the salary earned (American Psychological Association, 2020). Licensing from the relevant body is required to practice as a health psychologist. With the increase in health-related issues, the services of health psychologists are needed. Social issues such as drug addiction, poor diet, and risky sexual behavior necessitate health psychology services. In this regard, health psychology is a necessity and a career option in the future. 
Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologists study the relationship between brain and behavior. In this regard, a neuropsychologist explains how brain function or lack thereof affects behavior (American Psychological Association, 2020). Substance abuse, for example, can affect brain function, which can overtly change behavior. Neuropsychologists can thus work in hospitals where patients are suffering from brain injury. Healthy living can thus be resumed with the help of a neuropsychologist. The military is also another avenue a neuropsychologist can work in to rehabilitate soldiers with brain injuries. One can also work in an academic institution as a teacher.

Salary ranges between $45,099 and $171,587 (American Psychological Association, 2020). Education varies from an undergraduate to a doctoral level. Education and experience could have an impact on the salary paid. Salary pay is equally dependent on the type of institution. Licensing is required to practice as a neuropsychologist. With the increase in brain injury, there is an increase in the demand for neuropsychologist services. As such, the career prospective is promising and is a career option in the future as a result.
School Psychologist

School psychologists are involved in offering psychological services to students and parents in educational settings. Assessment and counseling of students are done in schools. Parents and teachers are also involved in a bid to offer collective solutions to student issues. Behavioral assessment is done to provide quality education services.  School psychologists are predominantly found in schools. However, their services may be required in other settings deemed necessary. Religious institutions such as churches, for example, may enlist these services for students.

Salaries differ and range between $41,760 and $171,587 based on various aspects such as the institution in question (American Psychological Association, 2020). Education also varies and goes all the way to the doctoral level. An advanced degree suffices for a school psychologist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). The level of education and experience plays a role in determining the salary range as well. Licensing is necessary for one to practice as a school psychologist. Due to the various issues affecting students, most schools enlist a school psychologist. In his regard, a school psychologist has a promising career outlook as opposed to an industrial-organizational psychologist, for example. It is thus a career option in the future.

Social Psychologist

Social psychologists study how an individual behaves concerning interactions with people. Interactions form relationships, which, in turn, determine how a person behaves. Social psychologists thus carry out research that better explains human attitudes concerning various interactions. Racially prejudice people, for example, may have a bias against people of a different race based on conditioning acquired while growing up in a particular home or community environment. Understanding behavior based on social interactions helps determine ways of better dealing with societal problems.

Social psychologists can thus wok in learning institutions as teachers, research institutions, and government agencies, for example. Salary ranges between $45,099 and 171,587 depending on the institution (American Psychological Association, 2020). Public and private institutions may pay different salaries, for example. Education, which varies from an undergraduate to a doctoral degree, can also impact the salary range. Licensing is required to practice as a social psychologist. Social psychologist studies give solutions to existing societal issues; hence social psychology is essential and would be a career option as a result.
Sports Psychologist

Sports psychology involves assisting athletes in focusing on competition goals and staying motivated throughout the process (American Psychological Association, 2020). As such, the sports psychologist helps the competitor deal with anxiety and fear issues related to failure, which is inevitable in competitive sports. A sports psychologist can thus work in a school setting as well as other sports settings such as athletic clubs.

Salary varies between $45,099 and $171, 587 depending on various factors such as experience, institution, and education level. Education varies and includes but is not limited to masters and undergraduate degrees. A sports psychologist should have the necessary licensing to practice professionally. With an increase in competitive sports, these psychologists are increasingly needed. The career outlook is thus promising in this branch of psychology.  As such, it would be a career option in the future.

Preferred Field of Interest

The forensic psychology field is the preferred option. The area involves the use of psychology in legal matters. Its use makes it possible to determine the mental stability of the parties involved. Forensic psychology, for example, defines the mental fitness of a defendant facing trial. Outcomes such as mistrials and appeals can thus arise from such information. It, therefore, is not only an exciting field of psychology; it is highly sensitive as it involves dispensation or lack thereof of justice.  Due to its direct relation to the justice system, it is thus the most preferred psychology option as it consists of both psychology and law.

Resource Comparison

Both websites have information concerning psychology. However, the occupational outlook handbook has in-depth information concerning the different specialties involved in the psychology field. Salary, responsibilities, and workplace information is outlined in the handbook. The APA website, on the other hand, does not have in-depth information as compared to the handbook. It, however, has qualification and licensure information that the handbook lacks. The information is not exhaustive and is very sketchy. The APA website has information not found in the handbook but lacks depth. The handbook, in this regard, even though lacking the licensure and qualification information, gives in-depth information on both salaries and psychology specialties. Navigation is also more comfortable on the handbook website than the bureau of statistics website. Topics are easy to locate and research, unlike the APA website, which has too many search topics. The handbook is thus more informative, easy to navigate, and understand.

Conclusion

A student needs to understand the various psychology specialties before settling on a preferred option. Issues such as career outlook as well as qualifications, need to be considered. While some specialties have a broader perspective hence a more significant job opportunity scope, others do not, for example. Such factors influence the scope of practice and should thus be well researched before making a psychology career choice.

All psychology specialties require licensure. It is important to note that different specialties require different licensure requirements. Licensure requirements equally differ across various states. Information on the internship, for example, is essential. A psychologist thus has to be well versed with both specialty and state requirements to properly fulfill professional practice requirements (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Careers in Psychology. Apa.org. Retrieved 2

March 2020, from https://www.apa.org/careers/.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Psychologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. Retrieved 2 March 2020, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-4.