PSYCHOLOGY CLUB MEETING MAY 10, 2011 ARPI FESTEKJIAN, PH.D. What are My Career Options in Psychology? What are My Career Options in Psychology?

Presentation Outline Career Options in Psychology Which Psychology Career is Right for Me? Graduate School Applications Tips for Success!

You have many options! Clinical Psychology Counseling Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Educational Psychology Forensic Psychology Industrial / Organizational Psychology Neuropsychology / Psychobiology School Psychology Careers in psychology

Research and Teaching Need graduate training in any of the subfields Teaching  Community colleges: at least an M.A.  Four-year schools: Ph.D. Research  Four-year schools: Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders (more pathology-focused than counseling) Work in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, schools Ph.D. : scientist and practitioner  major state or private universities (less expensive and more funding)  need to be licensed Psy.D. : practitioner  more hours of clinical experience  private graduate schools (more expensive; no RA-ships or TA-ships) e.g., CSPP, La Verne  need to be licensed

Counselor Help overcome daily life issues (rather than psychiatric illness) School counselor, substance abuse counselor, Marriage/Family Therapist (MFT) M.A. in Counseling or Education Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.

School Psychologists & Counselors help children with emotional, social, and academic issues coordinate among administrators, teachers, parents, kids Five areas of service: (1) consultation, (2) evaluation, (3) intervention, (4) prevention, and (5) research and planning School Psychologist  More training in psychopathology, assessment  Work with special needs kids, evaluate the academic programs of the school, assess academic and personal needs  M.A. in school psychology School Counselor  Provide counseling  M.A. in counseling

Social Worker Act as advocates for their clients Work for social welfare agencies (e.g., DCFS) Specialize  Child, Family and School  Mental Health and Substance Abuse  Medical and Public Health Masters in Social Work (MSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) : can also practice therapy

Forensic Psychologist applies psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law work in family courts, civil courts, prisons, community mental health centers; can be consultants to attorneys criminal profiling is rare offer psychotherapy services, perform child custody evaluations, investigate reports of child abuse, etc. doctoral degree in forensic (e.g., U. of AZ, U. of VA), clinical, or counseling psychology need to be board certified as Diplomat of Forensic Psychology

I/O Psychologist Studies and advises on behavior in the workplace Work in…A) business positions dealing with worker productivity, employee training and assessment, and human resources, and/or B) research or academic positions M.A. in I/O; some programs offer Ph.D.

Clinical Administrator Manage clinical services of an agency (e.g., staffing, budget, mental healthcare delivery)  Rehab centers, nursing homes, mental health centers Need graduate degree in clinical or counseling and coursework in business administration

Neuropsychologist Pharmaceutical research Neuropsychological assessment (e.g., extent of brain damage) and rehabilitation Research and academic positions Ph.D. in biopsych, cognitive neuropsych, clinical neuropsych

Careers with a B.A. Human resources jobs (employment, recruitment, placement, training, development, compensation, benefits) Child life specialist (help children and families cope with hospitalization) Many others Entry level jobs for psychology majors

Which Psychology Career is right for me? Quiz Morgan, B. L., & Korschgen, A. J. (2008). Majoring in Psychology: Career Options for Psychology Undergraduates (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

REALISTIC INVESTIGATIVE ARTISTIC SOCIAL ENTERPRISING CONVENTIONAL TAKE THE QUIZ! HOLLAND’S (1959) PERSONALITY TYPES

Graduate School Applications Application to the graduate division of the school Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores Application to the Psychology Department 3 Letters of Recommendation Statement of Purpose  Achievements/Accomplishments  Career and Professional Goals  How will the program meet your goals? Resources:  The process of applying to graduate school The process of applying to graduate school  Book: Graduate Study in PsychologyGraduate Study in Psychology

Tips for success Identify what kind of program is right for you and make a timeline Get to know your professors Get involved in research Extracurricular activities (e.g., volunteer work, academic club) Seek an internship and/or work experience Go to ELAC’s Career and Job Services Center (E1-176)ELAC’s Career and Job Services Center Search for campus workshops that focus on self- development (e.g., time/stress management)  May 19 4:00-6:00 : Social and Behavioral Sciences Workshop E7-313 Build on your personal and professional skills