Psychology is the study of the behavior and mental processes of individuals. It studies the mind to evaluate and predict future behavior. The importance of psychology, both as a subject and a career path, is recently being realized worldwide. During times of crisis, such as the global pandemic that is ongoing right now, the world is slowly accepting the importance and the need for psychologists. There are multiple paths one can take in the field of psychology. Here are some of the most interesting fields of psychology one can choose to work on.
Clinical psychology
This specialty requires a lot of learning, providing mental and behavioral healthcare for both groups and individuals. Clinical psychologists undergo vigorous training that involves a Bachelor’s, a Master’s degree, and even a Doctoral degree. They are expected to obtain state licensure, which requires them to have at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice and pass a competitive examination.
Their study is continuous, which means they need to earn a minimum number of Continuing Education points every year. The American Psychological Association licenses them. This job shows the potential for a lot of growth, with the number of positions rising by a massive 19% by 2024.
Forensic psychology
Forensic psychology was not a very popular field, but recently there has been quite a surge of interest in this field. Forensic psychology is the application of psychology in the legal arena. Forensic psychologists possess skills such as psychological assessment, clinical reasoning, report writing, interviewing, case presentation, and strong verbal skills.
They have to deal with tasks such as child custody evaluations, counseling services to crime victims, treatment programs for juvenile and adult offenders, evaluation of the mental competency of criminals, and even threat assessments for schools. Like clinical psychologists, forensic psychologists also require either a PhD or a PsyD degree accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Industrial-organizational psychology
Industrial/organizational psychologists are trained in the study of behavior within organizations and companies. They are specialized in using the principles of organizational behavior and its application in the workplace.
They have in-depth knowledge and training in career development, attitudes, decision theory, consumer behavior, job analysis, work motivation, efficacy, and individual assessment. An industrial/organizational degree is one of the best psychology degrees one can pursue if looking to work in a corporate environment. They carry out tasks such as optimizing employees’ efficacy and motivation, dealing with recruitment, and planning office ice-breaking sessions.
Counseling psychology
Counseling psychologists deal with individuals’ mental and emotional problems to help them cope effectively with their situations and their environment and reduce the amount of distress for the individual. They address the concerns individuals have in the areas of work, personal life, and even school. They use assessment techniques, crisis intervention, and psychotherapy to address problems at the individual, family, and group levels.
A career path in psychology is tough, but extremely rewarding. Psychologists have the innate drive to help people and make a difference in their lives. This list will help you navigate your way through all possible career paths as a psychologist.
