5 answers
Jasmin
Student
Putnam Valley, New York
1
Question
Asked
338 views
How can I find the right branch of psychology to pursue?
I am not drawn to clinical but it feels like that is my only option. I like the idea of social work but that is not my major and again do not want to do therapy. What are my other options? Where can I find internships/ experience opportunities that will allow me to find my niche.
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5 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
579
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Jasmin,
It’s great that you’re exploring your options and recognizing what doesn’t resonate with you—that’s a big step toward finding the branch of psychology that’s right for you. Psychology is a broad field with so many paths beyond clinical work or therapy. Here’s some guidance to help you find your niche and gain experience along the way:
Exploring Non-Clinical Psychology Paths
1. Industrial-Organizational Psychology (I-O)
- Focus: Workplace productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational behavior.
- Why it’s great: If you enjoy understanding how people work together in groups or improving systems, this could be a great fit.
- Try: Internships in HR, talent management, or organizational development.
2. Forensic Psychology
- Focus: Applying psychology in legal and criminal justice contexts, such as working with law enforcement or analyzing criminal behavior.
- Why it’s great: It blends psychology with criminal justice without being clinical.
- Try: Volunteering with court systems, law enforcement agencies, or correctional facilities.
3. Social Psychology
- Focus: Understanding how people interact with and influence each other in social settings.
- Why it’s great: You can apply this in marketing, policy-making, or community programs.
- Try: Research assistant positions in studies on group dynamics, leadership, or decision-making.
4. Cognitive Psychology or Neuroscience
- Focus: Studying how the brain works—memory, learning, decision-making, etc.
- Why it’s great: It’s research-heavy and can lead to roles in academia, tech, or healthcare innovation.
- Try: Labs studying cognition, internships in UX design, or working with neuropsychologists.
5. Health Psychology
- Focus: Understanding how mental health impacts physical health and vice versa.
- Why it’s great: It’s about prevention and promoting wellness rather than therapy.
- Try: Volunteer at hospitals, wellness centers, or public health organizations.
6. Educational or School Psychology
- Focus: Helping students succeed academically and socially.
- Why it’s great: It blends psychology and education without requiring therapy.
- Try: Volunteer in school programs or educational nonprofits.
7. Community Psychology
- Focus: Addressing social issues and promoting well-being within communities.
- Why it’s great: It aligns with social work but focuses on systemic change.
- Try: Work with nonprofits, advocacy groups, or public policy organizations.
How to Find Internships and Experience
1. Start with Your School
- Check your university’s career center or psychology department for research assistant positions or partnerships with organizations.
2. Join Professional Organizations
- Groups like the "American Psychological Association (APA)" or "Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)" often list internships and networking opportunities.
3. Look Beyond Psychology-Specific Roles
- Many psychology concepts are relevant in areas like marketing, HR, policy, or education. Don’t limit yourself to internships labeled “psychology.”
4. Volunteer Opportunities
- Try volunteering with crisis hotlines, community programs, or research labs. These roles can provide valuable insights into various branches of psychology.
5. Shadow Professionals
- Reach out to professionals in fields you’re curious about and ask if you can shadow them or schedule an informational interview.
Finding Your Niche
1. Reflect on What Excites You
- What topics in your psychology classes light you up? Are you drawn to people, systems, or research?
2. Experiment and Stay Open
- It’s okay to try different experiences before committing to a path. Each experience will teach you more about what you enjoy and where your strengths lie.
3. Leverage Online Resources
- Explore platforms like LinkedIn, Handshake, or Indeed for internships, and look at sites like Alison, Udemy, Coursera or edX for free courses in specialized fields.
Psychology is such a diverse field, and it’s okay to feel unsure right now. You’re taking the right steps by asking questions and exploring options. Keep an open mind, gain experience where you can, and trust that your unique interests and strengths will guide you to the right path. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
It’s great that you’re exploring your options and recognizing what doesn’t resonate with you—that’s a big step toward finding the branch of psychology that’s right for you. Psychology is a broad field with so many paths beyond clinical work or therapy. Here’s some guidance to help you find your niche and gain experience along the way:
Exploring Non-Clinical Psychology Paths
1. Industrial-Organizational Psychology (I-O)
- Focus: Workplace productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational behavior.
- Why it’s great: If you enjoy understanding how people work together in groups or improving systems, this could be a great fit.
- Try: Internships in HR, talent management, or organizational development.
2. Forensic Psychology
- Focus: Applying psychology in legal and criminal justice contexts, such as working with law enforcement or analyzing criminal behavior.
- Why it’s great: It blends psychology with criminal justice without being clinical.
- Try: Volunteering with court systems, law enforcement agencies, or correctional facilities.
3. Social Psychology
- Focus: Understanding how people interact with and influence each other in social settings.
- Why it’s great: You can apply this in marketing, policy-making, or community programs.
- Try: Research assistant positions in studies on group dynamics, leadership, or decision-making.
4. Cognitive Psychology or Neuroscience
- Focus: Studying how the brain works—memory, learning, decision-making, etc.
- Why it’s great: It’s research-heavy and can lead to roles in academia, tech, or healthcare innovation.
- Try: Labs studying cognition, internships in UX design, or working with neuropsychologists.
5. Health Psychology
- Focus: Understanding how mental health impacts physical health and vice versa.
- Why it’s great: It’s about prevention and promoting wellness rather than therapy.
- Try: Volunteer at hospitals, wellness centers, or public health organizations.
6. Educational or School Psychology
- Focus: Helping students succeed academically and socially.
- Why it’s great: It blends psychology and education without requiring therapy.
- Try: Volunteer in school programs or educational nonprofits.
7. Community Psychology
- Focus: Addressing social issues and promoting well-being within communities.
- Why it’s great: It aligns with social work but focuses on systemic change.
- Try: Work with nonprofits, advocacy groups, or public policy organizations.
How to Find Internships and Experience
1. Start with Your School
- Check your university’s career center or psychology department for research assistant positions or partnerships with organizations.
2. Join Professional Organizations
- Groups like the "American Psychological Association (APA)" or "Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)" often list internships and networking opportunities.
3. Look Beyond Psychology-Specific Roles
- Many psychology concepts are relevant in areas like marketing, HR, policy, or education. Don’t limit yourself to internships labeled “psychology.”
4. Volunteer Opportunities
- Try volunteering with crisis hotlines, community programs, or research labs. These roles can provide valuable insights into various branches of psychology.
5. Shadow Professionals
- Reach out to professionals in fields you’re curious about and ask if you can shadow them or schedule an informational interview.
Finding Your Niche
1. Reflect on What Excites You
- What topics in your psychology classes light you up? Are you drawn to people, systems, or research?
2. Experiment and Stay Open
- It’s okay to try different experiences before committing to a path. Each experience will teach you more about what you enjoy and where your strengths lie.
3. Leverage Online Resources
- Explore platforms like LinkedIn, Handshake, or Indeed for internships, and look at sites like Alison, Udemy, Coursera or edX for free courses in specialized fields.
Psychology is such a diverse field, and it’s okay to feel unsure right now. You’re taking the right steps by asking questions and exploring options. Keep an open mind, gain experience where you can, and trust that your unique interests and strengths will guide you to the right path. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Christina Sandoval
Counselor
1
Answer
Culver City, California
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hello Jasmin,
Your undergraduate major should be in something you’re interested in and care about. If you want to help people, psychology or sociology is great. You don’t necessarily have to do clinical counseling or social work. There are lots of different areas besides therapy, such as education or career counseling. Great question about internships! Definitely seek out these opportunities where you think you’ll find what you’re interested in. Your college campus will have career services that can help you look for internships and volunteer opportunities so you can explore. Once you find your niche, it may or may not require a graduate degree. If it does, this is where you can really specialize in the area you want.
Best of luck to you.
Your undergraduate major should be in something you’re interested in and care about. If you want to help people, psychology or sociology is great. You don’t necessarily have to do clinical counseling or social work. There are lots of different areas besides therapy, such as education or career counseling. Great question about internships! Definitely seek out these opportunities where you think you’ll find what you’re interested in. Your college campus will have career services that can help you look for internships and volunteer opportunities so you can explore. Once you find your niche, it may or may not require a graduate degree. If it does, this is where you can really specialize in the area you want.
Best of luck to you.
Thank you so much!
Jasmin
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
258
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
There are many branches of psychology beyond clinical! Consider areas like industrial-organizational psychology, research, or educational psychology. Exploring social psychology or human resources can also align with your interests. Look for internships or volunteer opportunities in research labs, nonprofit organizations, or corporations to gain experience and help you discover your niche. Keep exploring!
Thank you, Angel for the advice.
Jasmin
Jim Nguyen
Senior Contract Sourcing Manager
45
Answers
South Plainfield, New Jersey
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Hello Jasmin,
You can look into becoming a school counselor. If so, you can discuss this option with your counselor. He/she can provide you their input or experience. You can explore internships in Human Resources.
Good luck!
You can look into becoming a school counselor. If so, you can discuss this option with your counselor. He/she can provide you their input or experience. You can explore internships in Human Resources.
Good luck!
Jim Nguyen
Senior Contract Sourcing Manager
45
Answers
South Plainfield, New Jersey
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Hello Jasmin,
You can look into becoming a school counselor. If so, you can discuss this option with your counselor. He/she can provide you their input or experience. You explore internships in Human Resources.
Good luck!
You can look into becoming a school counselor. If so, you can discuss this option with your counselor. He/she can provide you their input or experience. You explore internships in Human Resources.
Good luck!
Thank you for the advice.
Jasmin