Ross
Can i get some advice on my future plans?
Hi. My name is Ross and i just finished my CSEC/GCSE exams and ive been thinking about the future....my career to be exact.
First of all im trying to pin down exactly what i want to be. This might be a bit confusing but please bear with me. Ok ive based my career upon psychology, mainly child/adolescents so a child psycholgists? I dont know if thats a job on its own but ill go into more detail. So growing up and learning abot myself and figuring myself out i have realised that i do have alot of problems and as a teen i have learnt how terrible life can be. But something occured to me and then i decided that i want to help people who are as troubled as i am and have no one to talk to about it or vent. All i see on the news are teens commiting suicide whether its because of bullying or death in the family and being depressed and introverted or have bad anxiety and some are just basically afraid of life. Getting back on track i decided for myself that i wanted to be there for these guys whether they be autistic, suicidal, foster kids, traumatized kids (abuse etc). I want to be able to help anyone with any social,mental or emotional problem cope and be able to live their lives without all these weights on their shoulders because boy do i know what that feels like. I'll be so happy if i can be able to comfort people in their darkest hour by giving a proper diagnosis and great advice and making sure they know how to go about their path to recovery.
Now in reading all of that what do you think im going for....? A therapist? social worker? If a child/adelescent psychology a job on its own am i leaning towards that? Does anyone know any specific job area i seem to be talking about? Ive been thinking but i cant seem to figure it out.
Anyways back to the future talk, i have set my mind on studying in Canada and im sure my career path has to do with psychology so my second question is what are some good colleges/universities for psychology in Canada that i can check out on the internet because i feel its about time i look for a university to set my eyes on. The reason is...for me to function properly i need to have goal set of that makes sense once i have my eyes set on something my mind just clicks and i work tirelessly to achieve what i set out for. That mentality has gotten me far as ive have excelled in my examinations.
Also for anyone who has experience how would i go about migrating to Canada to study? I do know i need a study permit but the whole idea is too vague for me.
Lastly, how long would my career in child psychology? (dont know what to call it yet) take and what degrees/training would i need to obtain?
To anyone who answers this mess, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart its just that i confused myself and have no clue where i should head of to when i get to this point in my life.
#psychology #child-psychology #counseling-psychology
2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Career Path in Psychology:
It’s great that you are considering a career in psychology, specifically focusing on child and adolescent psychology. This field is incredibly important as it involves understanding and helping young individuals navigate through challenging times in their lives. Child psychologists work with children and teenagers to address emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues.
Education and Training:
To become a child psychologist, you will typically need to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, followed by a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical psychology with a focus on child psychology. It’s important to gain practical experience through internships or supervised clinical work during your studies.
Skills and Qualities:
As a child psychologist, you will need to possess strong communication skills, empathy, patience, and the ability to build trust with young clients. You should also have a deep understanding of child development, mental health disorders, and therapeutic techniques tailored to children and adolescents.
Career Opportunities:
Child psychologists can work in various settings such as schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, private practices, or research institutions. You may choose to specialize in areas such as trauma, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, or other specific issues affecting children and adolescents.
Professional Development:
Continuing education and staying updated on the latest research and treatment approaches in child psychology are essential for maintaining licensure and providing the best care for your clients. Joining professional organizations and attending conferences can also help you network with other professionals in the field.
Conclusion:
Becoming a child psychologist is a rewarding career path that allows you to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals facing various challenges. By pursuing further education and gaining practical experience, you can work towards achieving your goal of helping troubled teens cope with their struggles.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Psychological Association (APA) - The APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. It provides valuable resources for aspiring psychologists and offers information on education, training, and career opportunities in psychology.
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) - NASP is dedicated to promoting educationally and psychologically healthy environments for all children. They offer insights into the field of school psychology, which often overlaps with child psychology.
Child Mind Institute - This nonprofit organization focuses on transforming the lives of children struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Their resources provide valuable information on child psychology and related topics.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Casey O'Brien
Casey’s Answer
First off, love how you are identifying your career path. Doing something that's meaningful to your own experience will be the upmost rewarding endeavor in the long run. I can certainly empathize with the struggle and I'll try to give you the best advice moving forward.
You're right. There's a ton of forks in the road ahead and there's plenty of paths to chose that will ultimately, ideally, be the right fit to help with kids growing up in their darkest hour. Here's a few to look into:
-ABA therapist
-Occupational therapist
-school/college counsellor
-daycare owner or worker
-patients rights advocate
-child life specialist
And of course think about being a psychiatrist or psychologist. Psychiatry will take a lot of schooling, easily over 7 years from undergraduate, as you'd be administering medicine. Psychology also will require extensive graduate school and training that will allow you to operate in a certified professional field. Both great career paths.
Regarding what schools how long it'd take, and specifically, what profession: that one's on you. You need to buckle down and read into what schools in Canada have the best psychology programs, what those prerequisites look like, and how you can get loans through their US sister schools (assuming they have one which they should). Be focused on schools that have a proven pipeline to higher education or an institution that has a built-in practice for helping youth, as you'd like to help them.
BTW, I went to grad school in the UK (from the US) and had the loans financed by a sister school in Chicago. Honestly, it's a lot easier than you'd think and often cheaper. Just need to make some phone calls to Nelnet!
And when you get into that college, own it. Be part of relevant campus groups and let it be known what you are studying and what you want to do. Be emboldened by your passion and that will help you in class and in your career!