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How do I know if this is the best career path for me?
I really wanted to join and experience the opportunities that this program will potentially have to unfold for me, and that truly is me and who I am as person, but there’s definitely more to it I definitely know that. I love helping people in any way shape or form and leaving any type of impact on them whether if it was big or small I will know that I still made a change #psychology #career-choice
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Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hi Ashley - hope you are staying well! One suggestion that I have for you is to reach out to individuals who are already in your profession. If you can, reach out to someone who is new to the profession and someone who is experienced in the profession. They will be able to offer you different perspectives. If you are enrolled in a college or university, the career center might be able to help put you in contact with these individuals. Prepare a list of questions beforehand that you believe will help you get the best sense of the profession. Best of luck!
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Ashley the majority of students with a bachelor's degree in go on to work in human or social services. Some typical jobs in this field of work are: career counselor, psychiatric technician, rehabilitation specialist, and case manager. These jobs all require skills which a bachelor's degree in psychology provides, such as the ability to evaluate the needs of a client, to keep accurate and organized records, to express empathy and compassion, and to work towards the best interests of your client. Since a degree in psychology is so versatile, individuals can also seek careers in the business and criminal justice setting. Job outlook and salary depends on the chosen career path.
FOUR COMMON CAREE PATHS WITH BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
1.) CAREER COUNSELOR
• JOB DESCRIPTION – Career counselors are professional consultants who look at an individual's education level, work history, and interests to suggest potential career paths and set career goals for their clients. While there's no set requirement to enter this field, many candidates are expected to have at least a master's degree.
• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Although there are no strict education requirements for becoming a career counselor, most counselors have bachelor's degrees in counseling. A master's degree is usually required to obtain licensure in most states; however, a license is not always necessary for career counselors. For instance, a career counselor working in private practice may need a license while a career counselor employed by a college may not need a license.
• SALARY OUTLOOK – The average Career Counselor - Higher Ed. salary in the United States is $59,000 as of May 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $55,000 and $65,700. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills,
2.) CERTIFIED CASE MANAGERS
• JOB DESCRIPTION – Certified case managers help clients navigate various types of organizations and stay on a path to better overall health. They have the opportunity to use their skills with employers in a wide variety of fields, enabling them to work with a topic that matches their interests. They work at an individual level creating personal plans and with larger groups presenting on newly researched topics.
• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Most certifications require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum amount of work experience under the supervision of a certified case manager.
• SALARY OUTLOOK – The average Certified Case Manager salary in the United States is $79,900 as of May 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $73,000 and $87,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills,
3.) CRIMINOLOGIST
• JOB DESCRIPTION – Criminologists serve as analysts or scientists who identify the causes of criminal behavior through data collection and statistical analysis. Criminologists may interview officers or incarcerated felons to develop psychological profiles. Therefore, professionals often work in law enforcement or government settings.
• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Earning a bachelor of arts in psychology can benefit future criminologists by allowing students can tailor the degree to fit their career goals. Furthermore, a bachelor's degree in psychology contains courses that provide knowledge and skills criminologists need to excel in their job. Entry-level positions typically require a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Leadership or management roles may require an advanced degree.
• SALARY OUTLOOK – The average Criminalist salary in the United States is $62,200 as of May 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $56,000 and $68,700. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Ashley if you are you interested in a career in a psychology-related field but not quite sure where to begin? Do you have a question about psychology careers? Because there is so much diversity in the field of psychology when it comes to individual career paths, deciding where you want to go can be a daunting prospect. As you plan your way forward, it pays to do research on the different options that are available and carefully decide which area seems to be the best possible fit for your interests, needs, and goals.
Job shadowing is a useful way to learn about a particular job of interest. It involves spending time following a professional in that job. By observing the life of the professional for anywhere from a few hours to as long as a week, you'll get a sense of what that job is really like.
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships provide the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to find top talent.
Find a psychology mentor. Successful mentoring relationships are built upon finding a good match between you and the mentor. You will want to seek not just any mentor, but that special person who is best suited to your needs and personality.
Interview a psychology graduate, find out the pros & cons of psychology, ask them what they wished some would have told them about psychology careers and majors.
FOUR COMMON CAREE PATHS WITH BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
1.) CAREER COUNSELOR
• JOB DESCRIPTION – Career counselors are professional consultants who look at an individual's education level, work history, and interests to suggest potential career paths and set career goals for their clients. While there's no set requirement to enter this field, many candidates are expected to have at least a master's degree.
• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Although there are no strict education requirements for becoming a career counselor, most counselors have bachelor's degrees in counseling. A master's degree is usually required to obtain licensure in most states; however, a license is not always necessary for career counselors. For instance, a career counselor working in private practice may need a license while a career counselor employed by a college may not need a license.
• SALARY OUTLOOK – The average Career Counselor - Higher Ed. salary in the United States is $59,000 as of May 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $55,000 and $65,700. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills,
2.) CERTIFIED CASE MANAGERS
• JOB DESCRIPTION – Certified case managers help clients navigate various types of organizations and stay on a path to better overall health. They have the opportunity to use their skills with employers in a wide variety of fields, enabling them to work with a topic that matches their interests. They work at an individual level creating personal plans and with larger groups presenting on newly researched topics.
• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Most certifications require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum amount of work experience under the supervision of a certified case manager.
• SALARY OUTLOOK – The average Certified Case Manager salary in the United States is $79,900 as of May 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $73,000 and $87,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills,
3.) CRIMINOLOGIST
• JOB DESCRIPTION – Criminologists serve as analysts or scientists who identify the causes of criminal behavior through data collection and statistical analysis. Criminologists may interview officers or incarcerated felons to develop psychological profiles. Therefore, professionals often work in law enforcement or government settings.
• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Earning a bachelor of arts in psychology can benefit future criminologists by allowing students can tailor the degree to fit their career goals. Furthermore, a bachelor's degree in psychology contains courses that provide knowledge and skills criminologists need to excel in their job. Entry-level positions typically require a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Leadership or management roles may require an advanced degree.
• SALARY OUTLOOK – The average Criminalist salary in the United States is $62,200 as of May 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $56,000 and $68,700. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Ashley if you are you interested in a career in a psychology-related field but not quite sure where to begin? Do you have a question about psychology careers? Because there is so much diversity in the field of psychology when it comes to individual career paths, deciding where you want to go can be a daunting prospect. As you plan your way forward, it pays to do research on the different options that are available and carefully decide which area seems to be the best possible fit for your interests, needs, and goals.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
You can always read about what a career entails however, anybody can write a biased article about their career. Try looking for internships and ways to get involved. Internships provide actual experience, networking, and future employment opportunities. During/after your internship, you can evaluate if this career path is truly your passion and what you genuinely enjoy doing.
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Ellen’s Answer
Hi Ashley,
Another good way to see if a career aligns with your personality and your goals to look into a job shadowing day or program, as well. Sometimes we don't know if a certain job is a good fit until we see it for ourselves! Sending you good vibes!
Another good way to see if a career aligns with your personality and your goals to look into a job shadowing day or program, as well. Sometimes we don't know if a certain job is a good fit until we see it for ourselves! Sending you good vibes!
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Sourav’s Answer
A very simple answer to this question would be if you are able to wake up every morning excited to do your work, enjoy going to workplace, meeting colleague, have fun with your family and friends and take good care of yourself, then you know you are doing right and your career path is right. I always try to do thing which you enjoy rather than following the crowd, most of the successful people in this planet are those who followed their heart than crowd. Always be curious, read books, watch talk shows, meet people, go to meetup and know how people are working, what they are doing, more the knowledge you have better decisions you can make in your career. Knowledge is the real power.
Updated
Faith’s Answer
Hi, Ashley!
That is really nice of you. Actually if you have this passion and personality of pursuing it, go for it. I know from that moment you go through these years of achieving it, looking back and you'd know for sure that it is for you. Of course, it would be difficult at first because there will be times that some things are not the way as you expected to be and that is okay. I would also suggest to have a mentor that would be honest on the reality of pursuing career.
Overall, I love how you think of helping people as your personality and please stay that way. I'm sure you'd go a very long way in your career :)
That is really nice of you. Actually if you have this passion and personality of pursuing it, go for it. I know from that moment you go through these years of achieving it, looking back and you'd know for sure that it is for you. Of course, it would be difficult at first because there will be times that some things are not the way as you expected to be and that is okay. I would also suggest to have a mentor that would be honest on the reality of pursuing career.
Overall, I love how you think of helping people as your personality and please stay that way. I'm sure you'd go a very long way in your career :)
Updated
Ivy’s Answer
Hi Ashley,
I hope you are doing well. To know whether this is the best career path for you have to ask yourself first if this is the career you can see yourself doing 5 to 10 years from now. Is it something that you are really interested in and would work hard for no matter what. Sometimes when we look at our career path we have to look beyond the monetary success and prestige. We also have to consider the personal fulfillment it brings. If the career you chose makes you feel fulfilled whenever you are able to help people then it must be the right career for you. Hope this helps. Good luck!
I hope you are doing well. To know whether this is the best career path for you have to ask yourself first if this is the career you can see yourself doing 5 to 10 years from now. Is it something that you are really interested in and would work hard for no matter what. Sometimes when we look at our career path we have to look beyond the monetary success and prestige. We also have to consider the personal fulfillment it brings. If the career you chose makes you feel fulfilled whenever you are able to help people then it must be the right career for you. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Updated
Pam’s Answer
Hello Ashley,
Another resource to gather information about career paths you find interesting is through LinkedIn. Using this platform to ask others who attended a particular school, program or is in a specific position will allow you to learn more about what a day in that career choice might be like. There are also groups of specific professions (e.g. Society of Industrial/Organization Psychology or SIOP) that would allow you to see what topics professionals in that field are talking about or interested in. It would also give you a group of individuals to reach out to by simply posting what you are interested in and see who responds.
Good Luck!
Another resource to gather information about career paths you find interesting is through LinkedIn. Using this platform to ask others who attended a particular school, program or is in a specific position will allow you to learn more about what a day in that career choice might be like. There are also groups of specific professions (e.g. Society of Industrial/Organization Psychology or SIOP) that would allow you to see what topics professionals in that field are talking about or interested in. It would also give you a group of individuals to reach out to by simply posting what you are interested in and see who responds.
Good Luck!
Updated
Ao’s Answer
When you encounter an occupation that you are interested in, and you want to try whether you are suitable; you can first find the relevant activity plan to experience or related part-time experience to be able to deeply understand the interior of the profession. Then, you know whether you like this profession enough and whether you can continue to pursue your goals.
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Sheila’s Answer
Hi Ashley, selecting a career is not an easy thing. It is important that it is something that you are passionate about. I would recommend job shadowing someone that is in the field of interest and/or scheduling a meeting with a person in the field to ask questions and ask he/she loves what they do or chose the field. This will help you figure out if this is something that aligns to your personality and would be something you would enjoy and can make a difference.
fina a local company or organization in the field of interest and schedule job shadowing or a meeting with someone in the field
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Enrique’s Answer
Hello Ashley,
Hope you are doing well.
I believe that any type of job has an impact to others and our communities and personally think this is a choice that we can do day by day. Unfortunately, there is no formula to see how a career truly fits us until we see it for ourselves. A good practice would be reaching out to people within your network on careers that you feel are closest to your interest. Good luck!
Hope you are doing well.
I believe that any type of job has an impact to others and our communities and personally think this is a choice that we can do day by day. Unfortunately, there is no formula to see how a career truly fits us until we see it for ourselves. A good practice would be reaching out to people within your network on careers that you feel are closest to your interest. Good luck!
Jill Eckhart
Program Manager, Former Videogame Producer, currently working on Videogame development tools and services
13
Answers
Updated
Jill’s Answer
Helping people is always a great thing! One way you might be able to test this out is to search and see if there are any volunteer opportunities in your area where you cloud help at a shelter or crisis hotline. There are even opportunities that you may be able to do from home. Some organizations will provide training. This will help you get some experience and also allow you to work with people who have careers in this area.