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What kinds of classes/jobs should I be taking in high school to get experience and exposure if I want to get a degree and future career in psychology?

I'm currently a junior in high school and might be interested in a career in psychology. Are there any classes that I should take while in high school? Any jobs I can get now that would get me experience and exposure to the field, or that would at least be somewhat relevant?

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Thank you comment icon Hey Adilay, Besides jobs or classes you can take, you can also look into book titles of interest from people like Henry Cloud, John Townsend, John Delony, Gary Chapman, Ross Campbell, Les and Leslie Parrott, and the Gottmans, to learn about some of the things that people often want a mental health professional for and some of the things people want to get information from them about. That can help you start forming your own opinions and getting information on things that people talk about a lot in the psychology space, and have experience in thinking through issues that come up for people. Katherine Avery
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Adilay!

Classes to Take in High School

To prepare for a future career in psychology, it is essential to take classes that will provide foundational knowledge and skills relevant to the field. Here are some recommended subjects:

Psychology: If your school offers an introductory psychology course, this should be your first choice. It will give you a basic understanding of psychological concepts, theories, and terminology.

Biology: Understanding human biology is crucial in psychology, especially if you are interested in areas like neuropsychology or health psychology. A solid grasp of biological processes can help you understand how they relate to behavior and mental processes.

Statistics: Psychology relies heavily on research and data analysis. Taking a statistics class will equip you with the skills needed to interpret research findings and understand experimental design.

Sociology: This subject explores social behavior and societal influences on individuals, which is beneficial for understanding group dynamics and cultural factors in psychology.

English/Communication: Strong writing and communication skills are vital for psychologists who need to write reports, conduct interviews, and present findings clearly.

Health Education: Courses that cover mental health topics can provide insights into various psychological disorders and wellness strategies.

Philosophy: Studying philosophy can enhance critical thinking skills and expose you to ethical considerations relevant to psychological practice.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: If available, consider taking AP Psychology or AP Statistics as these can give you college credit and a head start on your degree requirements.

Jobs for Experience in Psychology

In addition to coursework, gaining practical experience through jobs or volunteer opportunities can be invaluable:

Volunteer Work: Look for volunteer positions at local mental health clinics, hospitals, or community organizations that focus on mental health support services. This exposure will help you understand the practical aspects of psychology.

Internships: Some organizations offer internships specifically designed for high school students interested in psychology or related fields. These positions may involve assisting professionals with administrative tasks or participating in outreach programs.

Peer Counseling Programs: Many schools have peer counseling programs where students are trained to provide support to their classmates under supervision. Participating in such programs can give you direct experience in helping others while developing your interpersonal skills.

Research Assistant Positions: If there are opportunities at local universities or colleges for high school students to assist with research projects related to psychology, this could be an excellent way to gain experience in the field.

Customer Service Jobs: While not directly related to psychology, jobs that require strong interpersonal skills—such as working in retail or food service—can help develop your ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people.

Mentorship Programs: Seek out mentorship from professionals in the field of psychology who can guide you through your educational journey and provide insights into potential career paths.

By combining relevant coursework with practical experiences, you’ll build a strong foundation for pursuing a degree in psychology and preparing for a successful career in the field.

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Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

American Psychological Association (APA): The APA provides comprehensive resources about educational pathways in psychology including recommended courses and career options.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH offers insights into mental health careers along with information about educational requirements necessary for various roles within the field.

College Board - Big Future: This resource outlines high school courses that align with college readiness standards specifically tailored toward students interested in pursuing degrees related to psychology.

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David’s Answer

Start by reading psychology books and confine yourself to many hours of reading by embracing them. Get as many psychology, sociology, and humanities classes as you can. Before applying to a college, especially if you want a Bachelor's degree, make sure it is accredited at least by the American Psychological Association. I highly recommend reading academic articles once you get your psychology classes because they are the foundation of your career.

Best of luck,

David
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Teresa’s Answer

It depends on where you are and what opportunities are there, but I'd say most jobs that you can get that deal with people will give you 1. valuable experience in responsibility and what it's like to be a working person and 2. exposure to people in new situations that would likely benefit you in any future career. At this point, have fun, try new things. But, some job options that might relate specifically to psychology: camp counselor (particularly if interested in working with youth mental health or child development) or fast food. I know that is probably a surprise, but I will tell you that Burger King was one of my first jobs in High School. Working as a team to get hot food to the customer while also navigating customers who have a wide range of reactions to working with fast food employees - from "grateful someone else is cooking their food" to "you are not worthy of being nice to". It's an insight into psychology right there. If you're in a bigger city, see what kinds of paid internships are out there, or unpaid if you have that flexibility. Many non-profits work with summer interns and you'd get some varied experiences.

As far as classes, history, human development, AP classes in the sciences, and psychology if they have them at your school.

Teresa recommends the following next steps:

Ask your guidance counselor about local internships or employers that hire teens.
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Rachel’s Answer

I will keep it a big more vague and say any job where you have the chance to interact with a lot of different types of people would be a great place to start while you are in HS. It will help you better understand the populations of people you are looking to study in the future.
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Adilay:

While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a psychology career. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences and foreign languages. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.

Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. There are organizations and clubs like the Toastmasters which will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.

According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935

According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:

- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings

When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:

- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral

Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:

https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/

https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships

Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.

There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:

- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs

In the meantime, Networking is the means to communicate with professionals in various fields to learn more about them, their professions, their industries, etc. It is a way to share information, ideas and other contacts. Networking includes building resources that you can rely upon or refer others to.

Network ... Network ... Network ... the more people who know that you are looking to purse internships and career opportunities ... the better your chances of learning more about the industry that you are interested in, getting hired, etc. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know. Also, family, friends, high school teachers, guidance counselors, college professors and staff may know of contacts in the industry that you want to get into, so ask them as well.

With LinkedIn, members can send InMails to directly to each other without being connected to one another. Professionals who are directly connected to each other can send regular LinkedIn messages to each other. Professionals who pay for the premium service on LinkedIn have access to the InMail service feature.

Directly from LinkedIn Help:

"InMail messages is a premium feature, and it allows you to directly message another LinkedIn member that you're not connected to. If you have a Basic (free) account, then you can only directly message LinkedIn members that you’re connected to. You must upgrade to a Premium account to use InMail messages. You can’t message a member if they’ve chosen not to receive InMail messages in their message preferences settings. You’re allotted a specific number of InMail message credits based on your subscription type. You can find the number of InMail message credits you have from your My Premium page."

"Premium InMail message credits can't be used to send InMail messages on Sales Navigator or LinkedIn Recruiter."

Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
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Annah’s Answer

Adilay, as someone who went into clinical counseling psychology I can tell you that as far as subjects in school goes (pre-college), everything counts. Psychology is technically a science, but the science you study in Jr. High and High School will be more in the realm of biology and earth sciences. Psychology is a different animal completely. English will set you up to break down and analyze a reading. It will also cultivate good grammar and writing skills. While writing for psychology is different, you will need to know how to express your thoughts well and have critical thinking skills. Any creative arts involvement will open your mind to thinking outside the box and may develop your connection to mind/body. As a therapist having an understanding about my own somatic responses as well as the influence of trauma on the physical and emotional body is critical. Many people who enter the field of psychology (whether as counselors, coaches, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatrists) may or may not study psychology in undergrad. It will be helpful however because psychology is a bit different from the practice and theory of counseling. Also, you can get a taste for whether it is actually something you want to pursue as a career. As far as work or volunteer experience, there are numerous ways you can gain experience. Anything involving people will give you skills in communication which is key. You can look at social service agencies such as youth and family support organizations, volunteering with a hospital or children's hospital, taking an administrative position in a therapy office, helping at a homeless or domestic violence shelter, or nonprofit arts center with a focus on the intersection of mental health and creativity. If you think you might want to work with children, any position that will put you in contact with kids and learning about their development will be useful. This may be nannying, teaching at a preschool, or working at a before/after school program. As for networking, reach out to someone doing what you hope to do and ask if they have time for an informational interview. Offer to buy them coffee or limit the meeting to 30-60 mins. Let them know your interest in meeting and that learning about their career path will be impactful. If you try this do not be deterred when someone declines to talk (which may happen). I wish you the very best as you continue to grow yourself inside and out!
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Adilay,

It's great to hear about your interest in pursuing a career in psychology! High school is an excellent time to start building a foundation for your future studies and career. Here are some recommendations for classes and experiences that can help you gain exposure to the field of psychology:

High School Classes

1. Psychology Courses: If your school offers a psychology class or Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology, consider enrolling. These courses provide an introduction to psychological theories, concepts, and research methods.

2. Biology: Understanding the biological basis of behavior is crucial in psychology. Courses in biology, especially those covering human anatomy and physiology, can be very beneficial.

3. Statistics and Mathematics: Psychology relies heavily on research and data analysis. Taking statistics or advanced math classes will prepare you for the research component of psychology studies.

4. English and Writing Classes: Strong communication skills are essential for psychologists. Advanced English or writing courses can help you develop critical thinking and effective writing skills.

5. Social Sciences: Classes like sociology, anthropology, or human development can provide additional context about societal and cultural influences on behavior.

6. Foreign Language: Learning a second language can be advantageous, especially if you plan to work in diverse communities.

Extracurricular Activities

1. Volunteer Work:
- Mental Health Organizations: Volunteer at local mental health clinics, hospitals, or nonprofit organizations. This can provide firsthand experience with mental health services and patient interactions.
- Community Service: Engage in programs that support at-risk populations, such as youth mentoring, senior care, or disability services.

2. Part-Time Jobs:
- Healthcare Settings: Look for assistant or support roles in hospitals, clinics, or counseling centers.
- Childcare: Working with children in after-school programs, summer camps, or daycare centers can offer insights into developmental psychology.

3. Shadowing Professionals:
- Informational Interviews: Reach out to local psychologists or counselors to learn about their day-to-day work.
- Observation Opportunities: Some professionals may allow you to shadow them, providing a glimpse into clinical settings (ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations).

4. School Clubs and Organizations:
- Psychology or Science Clubs: Join or start a club focused on psychology to explore topics of interest and connect with like-minded peers.
- Debate or Ethics Clubs: Participate in activities that enhance your analytical and ethical reasoning skills.

5. Research Opportunities:
- Science Fairs: Conduct a psychology-related project for a science fair or competition.
- University Programs: Some universities offer summer programs for high school students interested in psychology.

6. Online Courses and Workshops:
- MOOCs: Enroll in online courses from platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Alison or edX to learn more about specific areas in psychology.
- Webinars and Seminars: Attend events hosted by psychological associations or institutions.

Additional Tips

- Reading: Start reading psychology books, journals, or reputable online resources to familiarize yourself with current research and theories.
- Networking: Join online forums or groups related to psychology to engage in discussions and stay updated on the field.
- Certifications: Consider obtaining certifications in first aid or mental health first aid, which can be valuable in various settings.

Planning Ahead

- College Preparation: Research colleges and universities with strong psychology programs to understand their prerequisites and tailor your high school coursework accordingly.
- Career Exploration: Explore different branches of psychology (clinical, cognitive, developmental, etc.) to identify areas of specific interest.

By taking relevant courses and seeking out experiences related to psychology, you'll not only strengthen your college applications but also gain valuable insights into whether this field is the right fit for you. Good luck on your journey into psychology!

Best wishes!
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