A CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY – HOW DID I GET HERE? Many Different Paths Many Different Outcomes What Will Yours Be? Presented by: Dr. Kimberly A. Kerns Associate Professor

BUT DID IT? I GUESS NOT, BECAUSE I AM HERE!  What lessons do I take from my own ‘journey’ to become a clinical neuropsychologist 1. Educational experiences and learning that I thought would not be important in ‘any other field’ were surprisingly often ‘assets’ and ‘door openers’ 2. Activities that I didn’t think I enjoyed in one environment suddenly became much more interesting and relevant in other environments (e.g., Math!) 3. Having had a broad exposure to a number of disciplines, trades, people from different walks of life have provided important skills/ways to connect with individuals in my clinical practice 4. Having a broad-based learning and experiences provides you with tools/abilities that can be used across disciplines, careers, and even life-tasks … 5. I underestimated/undervalued all the skills I learned in my various life experiences

TAKE STOCK … HAVE YOU LEARNED MORE THAN YOU KNOW?

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE? Good news:  Many options in many fields and at all degree levels.  Demand remains strong for many despite economic outlook.  Skills developed are valued by many types of employers. Things to keep in mind:  Degrees are less valuable if you haven’t developed skills.  Consider co-op terms, volunteering or service learning experiences!!  Many fields are competitive.  Typically there are more options for career growth with a graduate degree - requires good GPA and research/internship involvement. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Addictions counsellorAdministration AdvertisingCareer/employment counsellor Case workerChild care worker Child welfare workerCommunity worker Correctional officerCounsellor Cultural diversity consultantCustoms or immigration agent Day care worker, supervisorEducational counsellor EntrepreneurFund-raiser or development officer GerontologyGovernment researcher Health servicesHospice coordinator Human resourcesImmigration officer Labour relations specialistManager Market research analystMarketing Mental health workerMotivational researcher PersonnelPopulation studies researcher Probation or parole officerProfessional consultant Program coordinatorPsychiatric assistant or aide Public health statisticianPublic opinion interviewer Public relationsPsychology professor Recreation specialistResearch assistant Sales representativeSocial services Social workerTeaching Technical writerTravel agent Youth worker THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS FOR A PERSON WITH A BA IN PSYCHOLOGY ….

EVEN WITH JUST A BA YOU CAN MAKE A GOOD WAGE!

THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL AREAS IN PSYCHOLOGY TO EXPAND YOUR LEARNING Non-Clinical Graduate Degrees:  Behavioral Neuroscience  Developmental Psychology  Personality Psychology  Social Psychology  Evaluation, Measurement, & Statistics  Forensic Psychology  Cognitive Psychology  Community Psychology  Health Psychology  Sports Psychology Child and Family Policy Family Psychology Media Psychology Public Service Military Psychology Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology Rehabilitation Psychology Environmental Psychology

HELPING PROFESSIONS: MENTAL HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES AREAS – CLINICAL FOCUS Masters Degree:  Mental health counselor  Social worker  Family & marriage therapist  Art therapist  Psychometrist Doctoral Degree:  Clinical psychologist  Counseling psychologist  Psychiatrist (via Medicine)

EDUCATION-RELATED AREAS Masters Degree:  School psychologist  School counselor  Teacher (certification) Doctoral Degree:  Professor  Educational psychologist

BUSINESS-RELATED AREAS Masters or Doctorate Degree:  Industrial & Organizational Psychology  (e.g., assessment, recruitment, leadership)  Human Factors  Marketing  Consulting Psychology  Consumer Psychology

OTHER FIELDS Advanced Degree:  Medicine (practice or research)  Law  Public Health/Epidemiology  Research & Policy Analysis  Ministry/Theology

SITES WITH MORE INFORMATION …    