5 answers
Christiana
Student
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3
Questions
Updated
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What are a few entry level job titles you can apply for with a psychology degree and an interest in the mental health industry?
I am a recent graduate and my two strongest skills are facilitating and leadership. #mental-health #mental-health-counseling #public-health #health #JULY20 #July
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5 answers
Hoang Tran
Tutor
13
Answers
Fullerton, California
Updated
Hoang’s Answer
Hello Christiana,
Congratulations on completing your Bachelor Degree! What an accomplishment.
Sounds like you are now in the process of job searching, which might be daunting given current events. Fortunately, I think the helping profession are currently in high demands as many clinical agencies serving vulnerable populations are hiring employees.
In regards to an entry level position in Psychology, the field of Applied Behavior Analysis have the brightest employment outlook. For most positions in ABA, you will likely work with clients (most often times children) with Autism. These positions are often called Job Coach, Behavior Technician, Skill Acquisition Trainer.
If you are interested in a more clinical route, many sites offer unpaid internship opportunities. Although these volunteer experiences are often unpaid, they are a good opportunity for you to get your feet wet, build your clinical experiences, as well as expand your professional network.
Another route might be working as an administrative assistant at a doctor's office, where you will be able to interact with clients and work in a clinical setting.
Hope that helps!
Behavior Health (Job Coach, Behavior technician)
Administrative Assistant at a doctor's office
Intern at clinics to get experiences.
Congratulations on completing your Bachelor Degree! What an accomplishment.
Sounds like you are now in the process of job searching, which might be daunting given current events. Fortunately, I think the helping profession are currently in high demands as many clinical agencies serving vulnerable populations are hiring employees.
In regards to an entry level position in Psychology, the field of Applied Behavior Analysis have the brightest employment outlook. For most positions in ABA, you will likely work with clients (most often times children) with Autism. These positions are often called Job Coach, Behavior Technician, Skill Acquisition Trainer.
If you are interested in a more clinical route, many sites offer unpaid internship opportunities. Although these volunteer experiences are often unpaid, they are a good opportunity for you to get your feet wet, build your clinical experiences, as well as expand your professional network.
Another route might be working as an administrative assistant at a doctor's office, where you will be able to interact with clients and work in a clinical setting.
Hope that helps!
Hoang recommends the following next steps:
Hi Hoang, thank you so much. That was extremely helpful and exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely take those things into consideration when looking.
Christiana
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
105
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hello.
I would say thay when I first finished my bachelor's degree in psychology I was a child and adolescent case manager and then went on to work in public health as an intervention specialist in the STD/HIV area.
I also believe you can work as a mental health technician or intake person to get the skills of working with people face to face.
There are also crisis teams thay allow bachelor level people join in to gain insight into field which would assist with developing quick thinking problem-solving skills.
Hope this helps.
I would say thay when I first finished my bachelor's degree in psychology I was a child and adolescent case manager and then went on to work in public health as an intervention specialist in the STD/HIV area.
I also believe you can work as a mental health technician or intake person to get the skills of working with people face to face.
There are also crisis teams thay allow bachelor level people join in to gain insight into field which would assist with developing quick thinking problem-solving skills.
Hope this helps.
Cindy Haas
Vice President, External Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility
1
Answer
Miami, Florida
Updated
Cindy’s Answer
If you're looking for an alternative route using your degree in interests, consider Mental Health Marketing opportunities (marketing, social media, communications promoting mental health services or organizations) or even corporate opportunities in human resources, such as organizational effectiveness. You'd be suprised the non-traditional opportunities available to someone with your degree who doesn't necessarily want to complete a Masters or PhD to practice therapy or pyschiatry.
Candice Robinson, BS, NCPT-4
Psych Assistant/Practice Administrator
39
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Candice’s Answer
I have a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Psychology. I currently work as a Practice Administrator & Psych Assistant for various private mental health practices. Looking for careers as a Psychiatric, Mental, or Behavioral Health technician are usually a good start. In some places they are also referred to as Paraprofessionals. You may work under a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or registered nurse. There are also opportunities in this field as a special education worker.
I also am a Nationally Certified Psychiatric Technician Level 4. Though there are various levels of certification, level 4 is the highest. This means that I have a bachelor's degree in a mental health or developmental disabilities field and have worked in the mental health field at least 3 years.
The types of activities it certifies me to do that I perform on the job are the following:
- Patient admissions & making sure all documentation is complete
- Patient assessment & detecting behavior patterns
- Treatment plan development, implementation, & evaluation
- Leading therapeutic activities with individuals & groups
- Providing patient & family education and arranging family conferences
I am currently preparing for ABA Behavior Technician certification to add to my credentials.
I also am a Nationally Certified Psychiatric Technician Level 4. Though there are various levels of certification, level 4 is the highest. This means that I have a bachelor's degree in a mental health or developmental disabilities field and have worked in the mental health field at least 3 years.
The types of activities it certifies me to do that I perform on the job are the following:
- Patient admissions & making sure all documentation is complete
- Patient assessment & detecting behavior patterns
- Treatment plan development, implementation, & evaluation
- Leading therapeutic activities with individuals & groups
- Providing patient & family education and arranging family conferences
I am currently preparing for ABA Behavior Technician certification to add to my credentials.
Cameren Davis
Tutor
38
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Cameren’s Answer
As someone who also just graduated with B.A. in Psychology and an interest in Mental Health I have researched what entry level jobs I could hold. One that I found interesting is an ABA behavior therapist where you work with children and teens on the autism spectrum. Another opportunity would be going to mental health clinics and facilities and asking if the have any entry level positions available such a clerical work. I know that isn't the most exciting but at least you are now able to surround yourself with people in your field of interest and make connections.
If this is just a job that you're looking for to fill in time between graduate and undergraduate school I would suggest looking in the AmeriCorps programs. They offer a wide variety of programs and you could find one that matches your skills and interests. It is considered a "volunteer" position but you generally receive a monthly living stipend and upon successful completion of the program you get a grant that can be used towards future schooling or past debt. An additional benefit lis that the positions are located all around the United States, so it is an opportunity to travel and explore a new city/state before going to grad school. I hope this was helpful.
If this is just a job that you're looking for to fill in time between graduate and undergraduate school I would suggest looking in the AmeriCorps programs. They offer a wide variety of programs and you could find one that matches your skills and interests. It is considered a "volunteer" position but you generally receive a monthly living stipend and upon successful completion of the program you get a grant that can be used towards future schooling or past debt. An additional benefit lis that the positions are located all around the United States, so it is an opportunity to travel and explore a new city/state before going to grad school. I hope this was helpful.