Careers in Psychology

1. Careers in Psychology Presented by Clark University Career Services

2. Career Options • Psychologists focus on several main areas of study and intervention: • promoting physical and mental health; helping people learn; conducting research; studying development; studying and contributing to the work environment. • Students with a BA in psychology can be employed in a range of environments including community and social service agencies; non-profit organizations; business.

3. Undergraduate Degree • Students with an undergraduate degree in Psychology can go on and do a graduate degree in many areas outside of psychology, counseling and research including: • MBA – Business Administration • MPA – Public Administration • MPH – Public Health

4. Graduate School • In order to go on in the field of psychology, a graduate degree will be necessary. • Master’s- Two types of Master’s degrees: Professional and Academic • Professional: typically a 60 credit Master’s or Specialist degree including extensive internship or practicum experience is required. Certification / licensure varies by state. • Master’s in Education, Counseling (MEd)degrees that prepare you to be a school guidance counselor, school adjustment counselor. • Master’s in Social Work (MSW) – clinical degree; allows you to eventually become a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and do private practice work. • MS - School Psych; Sports Psych. • MA – Industrial/Organizational Psych; Experimental Psych; Human Factors

5. Doctorate Degree • Necessary for independent practice as a psychologist • PhD: research focused; necessary for work in academia or advancement in field of research or in areas such as School or Forensic Psychology. • PsyD: focuses on practical / clinical work

6. Steps For Career Development • Self-assessment – skills, interests, values (good at, like, what’s important to you personally, spiritually) • Informal and standardized measures • Read – websites; books in CS; professional associations • Talk to people – faculty can give leads; alums; family network • Experience– internship, job shadow, part-time / summer job • Important to an employer • Human Service sequence or School Psych sequence through Education department (courses and field work)

7. Psychology Internships • UMass – research • Abby’s House – for homeless women and children • Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc. – children and adolescents with family issues; legal involvement; psychological disorders. Residential and outpatient. • Samaritans • Rape Crisis Center • American Civil Liberties Union • Devereux School - • Dismas House – for former inmates • Gerontology

8. Entry level jobs held by Clark alumni with a B.A. in Psychology • Case worker – MH, MR, special populations • Legal Advocate – battered women • Youth Development Specialist – at risk adolescents • Behavior Analyst / Specialist – with special needs children • Research Assistant – hospital setting • Resident Services Coordinator – senior citizens • Grant Reviewer – foundation • Teacher • Environmental analyst – research, data collection and analysisHuman Resource Administrator • Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations • Editor – educational publication • Adjuster – insurance company

9. Types of Psychologists • Clinical Psychologists • assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. These range from short-term crises, such as difficulties resulting from adolescent rebellion, to more severe, chronic conditions such as schizophrenia. • Cognitive and perceptual psychologists • study human perception, thinking, and memory. Cognitive psychologists also study reasoning, judgment, and decision making. • Counseling psychologists • help people recognize their strengths and resources to cope with their problems. Counseling psychologists do counseling/psychotherapy, teaching, and scientific research with individuals of all ages, families, and organizations (e.g., schools, hospitals, businesses). • Developmental psychologists • study the psychological development of the human being that takes place throughout life. Until recently, the primary focus was on childhood and adolescence, but as life expectancy approaches 80 years, developmental psychologists are becoming increasingly interested in aging.

10. Types of Psychologists • Educational psychologists • concentrate on how effective teaching and learning take place. They consider a variety of factors, such as human abilities, student motivation, and the effect on the classroom of the diversity of race, ethnicity, and culture that makes up America. • Engineering psychologists • conduct research on how people work best with machines. Most engineering psychologists work in industry, but some are employed by the government, particularly the Department of Defense. They are often known as human factors specialists. • Evolutionary psychologists • study how evolutionary principles such as mutation, adaptation, and selective fitness influence human thought, feeling, and behavior. Evolutionary psychologists are particularly interested in paradoxes and problems of evolution. • Experimental psychologists • are interested in a wide range of psychological phenomena, including cognitive processes, comparative psychology (cross-species comparisons), learning and conditioning, and psychophysics.

11. Types of Psychologists • Forensic psychologists • apply psychological principles to legal issues. Their expertise is often essential in court. Forensic psychologists also conduct research on jury behavior or eyewitness testimony. • Health psychologists • specialize in how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. They also develop health care strategies that foster emotional and physical well-being. • Industrial/organizational psychologists • apply psychological principles and research methods to the work place in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of work life. Many serve as human resources specialists or management consultants.

12. Types of Psychologists • Quantitative and measurement psychologists • focus on methods and techniques for designing experiments and analyzing psychological data. Some develop new methods for performing analysis; others create research strategies to assess the effect of social and educational programs and psychological treatment. • Rehabilitation psychologists • work with stroke and accident victims, people with mental retardation, and those with developmental disabilities caused by such conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. They help clients adapt to their situation, frequently working with other health care professionals • Neuropsychologists • (and behavioral neuropsychologists) explore the relationships between brain systems and behavior. Clinical neuropsychologists also assess and treat people.

13. Types of Psychologists • School psychologists • assess and counsel students, consult with parents and school staff, and conduct behavioral interventions in public and private schools. • Social psychologists • study how a person's mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people. They are interested in all aspects of interpersonal relationships, including both individual and group influences, and seek ways to improve such interactions. • Sports psychologists • help athletes refine their focus on competition goals, become more motivated, and learn to deal with the anxiety and fear of failure that often accompany competition.

14. Career Opportunities • Listen to Psychology graduates discuss their experience in the wide variety of career opportunities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2w7KrQRk6g

15. For Additional Help… Consult with Clark’s Career Services staff. To schedule an appointment, contact us at: (508) 793-7258 or email us at: careers@clarku.edu