8 answers
Simar
Student
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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How Do I Understand What Part of Psychology I want to be in?
I thought Psychiatry was the one for me, but I don't think I could handle med school, unfortunately. I feel very lost.
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8 answers
Ava O’Hara
School psychologist
9
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Ava’s Answer
Get as much experience as you can! Given that you have an interest in psychology, I encourage you to check out the field of school psychology. You could also pursue a PHD an have your own counseling practice!
Carrie Van Houdt
Psychology Professor
3
Answers
El Paso, Texas
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
Hi Simar!
I am a psychology professor, and struggling to narrow down a career path in psychology is something that I see in my students every semester. Psychology is an extremely broad field! There tend to be two main tracks: the clinical track, and the research track. The clinical track involves counseling (helping people with everyday life problems), clinical psychology (providing therapy for those with psychological disorders), and psychiatry (a medical doctor working with those with psychological disorders). The mental health related careers are usually the clinical track.
The research track is MUCH more diverse! Here are some examples: Social Psychology (how we perceive people and act around people); Cognitive Psychology (mental processes like memory and decision making); Engineering Psychology (technology usability research); Industrial/Organizational Psychology (how to improve workplace morale/productivity); School Psychology (diagnosing learning disabilities in children); Educational Psychology (studying how people learn and the best way teachers should teach); Health Psychology (how our mental health and physical health interact); and Biological Psychology (the relationship between the brain and behavior). These are just a few examples, but you can see how diverse the psychology subfields are.
To find what you love, here is what I recommend:
1) Start taking different psychology classes at your current institution. Notice which classes interest you the most. If there are more advanced courses in your area of interest offered at your institution, take those courses, too!
2)Start researching careers in psych:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/01/upfront-careers.aspx
On Drew Appleby's document (attached), scroll through and look at the different areas of psychology.
-Hit "Ctrl-F" to search for keywords (e.g. “developmental” to search for developmental psychology)
Here is a book about careers in psych: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Major-Options-Strategies-Success/dp/0205829651
What can you do with a BA or BS in psych? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jl5Vz74EYhvNfou3ETq04rmAQE7km0RlKNwIfXTg_d0/edit
Statistics about people with a BA or BS in psych: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/05/datapoint.aspx
Stats about what people do with their psych degrees in general: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/06/datapoint.aspx
3)Gain relevant experience!
If you are interested in the research track, apply for a position as a research assistant at a lab! The labs should be listed on your institutions website. For example, here are the labs at UTEP: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/psychology/research/labs.html
If you are interested in the clinical track, volunteer at local community agencies. For example, domestic violence shelters, advocacy centers, and/or counseling centers. You can also volunteer as a support group facilitator with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
4)Take your time! Don't rush it, you don't have to have it all figured out right now! Right now is your time to explore =)
As a side note, when choosing a career, you should consider things like your schedule, whether you will work inside or outside, how often you will be on your feet, salary, competitiveness, availability of jobs in the area you want to live in, amount of education required, etc.
For example, I could never be happy in the standard 8-5 office job. I love that my schedule changes each semester and that I have freedom to structure my classes the way I like!
Good luck, and please let me know if you have any follow-up questions!
Carrie
I am a psychology professor, and struggling to narrow down a career path in psychology is something that I see in my students every semester. Psychology is an extremely broad field! There tend to be two main tracks: the clinical track, and the research track. The clinical track involves counseling (helping people with everyday life problems), clinical psychology (providing therapy for those with psychological disorders), and psychiatry (a medical doctor working with those with psychological disorders). The mental health related careers are usually the clinical track.
The research track is MUCH more diverse! Here are some examples: Social Psychology (how we perceive people and act around people); Cognitive Psychology (mental processes like memory and decision making); Engineering Psychology (technology usability research); Industrial/Organizational Psychology (how to improve workplace morale/productivity); School Psychology (diagnosing learning disabilities in children); Educational Psychology (studying how people learn and the best way teachers should teach); Health Psychology (how our mental health and physical health interact); and Biological Psychology (the relationship between the brain and behavior). These are just a few examples, but you can see how diverse the psychology subfields are.
To find what you love, here is what I recommend:
1) Start taking different psychology classes at your current institution. Notice which classes interest you the most. If there are more advanced courses in your area of interest offered at your institution, take those courses, too!
2)Start researching careers in psych:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/01/upfront-careers.aspx
On Drew Appleby's document (attached), scroll through and look at the different areas of psychology.
-Hit "Ctrl-F" to search for keywords (e.g. “developmental” to search for developmental psychology)
Here is a book about careers in psych: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Major-Options-Strategies-Success/dp/0205829651
What can you do with a BA or BS in psych? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jl5Vz74EYhvNfou3ETq04rmAQE7km0RlKNwIfXTg_d0/edit
Statistics about people with a BA or BS in psych: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/05/datapoint.aspx
Stats about what people do with their psych degrees in general: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/06/datapoint.aspx
3)Gain relevant experience!
If you are interested in the research track, apply for a position as a research assistant at a lab! The labs should be listed on your institutions website. For example, here are the labs at UTEP: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/psychology/research/labs.html
If you are interested in the clinical track, volunteer at local community agencies. For example, domestic violence shelters, advocacy centers, and/or counseling centers. You can also volunteer as a support group facilitator with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
4)Take your time! Don't rush it, you don't have to have it all figured out right now! Right now is your time to explore =)
As a side note, when choosing a career, you should consider things like your schedule, whether you will work inside or outside, how often you will be on your feet, salary, competitiveness, availability of jobs in the area you want to live in, amount of education required, etc.
For example, I could never be happy in the standard 8-5 office job. I love that my schedule changes each semester and that I have freedom to structure my classes the way I like!
Good luck, and please let me know if you have any follow-up questions!
Carrie
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Simar !
This is a great question and I can see that you've given a lot of thought about a future career. It's perfectly fine to recognize that you don't want to go to medical school and I think that most people feel the way you do. Medical School is serious and one must be passionate about the education path as well as the career it is for. You have so many other options. It's great to recognize how you want your future to go. Medical School is not for everybody and that is perfectly fine.
You can consider becoming a Social Worker by taking a Bachelors Degree in Psychology or Social Work and a Masters in Social Work. You will be in school for about 6 years for this career and you would be able to do psychotherapy with clients and patients. You would get Certification and Licensing for this career. Once you are Licensed and Certified, the clinical social work field is wide open and you'd be able to meet with clients and patients in a clinic, hospital, adult home, programs and may even obtain positions as a Director or Manager of a Department or Program. You can even open your own office and see clients privately. You can even be reimbursable by medical insurance when you bill for clinical psychotherapy, but check about the guidelines for New Jersey.
I know what it's like to think you want one career and then life experience or some other factor teaches us that we'd be better off doing something else. With me, I chose something at first that was very solitary (writing) and half in denial about wanting to go into acting. But I knew I was just using the writing as a crutch because it wasn't until I enrolled in college that acting became real. So stick with your instincts and intuition and explore more possible fields of work where you can use psychology. You can also consider teaching and research.
Feel free to return if you have any more questions. Best wishes in all you do !
This is a great question and I can see that you've given a lot of thought about a future career. It's perfectly fine to recognize that you don't want to go to medical school and I think that most people feel the way you do. Medical School is serious and one must be passionate about the education path as well as the career it is for. You have so many other options. It's great to recognize how you want your future to go. Medical School is not for everybody and that is perfectly fine.
You can consider becoming a Social Worker by taking a Bachelors Degree in Psychology or Social Work and a Masters in Social Work. You will be in school for about 6 years for this career and you would be able to do psychotherapy with clients and patients. You would get Certification and Licensing for this career. Once you are Licensed and Certified, the clinical social work field is wide open and you'd be able to meet with clients and patients in a clinic, hospital, adult home, programs and may even obtain positions as a Director or Manager of a Department or Program. You can even open your own office and see clients privately. You can even be reimbursable by medical insurance when you bill for clinical psychotherapy, but check about the guidelines for New Jersey.
I know what it's like to think you want one career and then life experience or some other factor teaches us that we'd be better off doing something else. With me, I chose something at first that was very solitary (writing) and half in denial about wanting to go into acting. But I knew I was just using the writing as a crutch because it wasn't until I enrolled in college that acting became real. So stick with your instincts and intuition and explore more possible fields of work where you can use psychology. You can also consider teaching and research.
Feel free to return if you have any more questions. Best wishes in all you do !
Hailey Franklin
Client Relationship Representative
7
Answers
Eagan, Minnesota
Updated
Hailey’s Answer
With your passion for psychology and ongoing education in the field, your question is indeed a valuable one. Given the vastness of psychology, deciding on a specific area of expertise can indeed be a daunting task.
Don't completely dismiss the idea of medical school just yet. If psychiatry once appealed to you, revisit those initial reasons and evaluate if they still hold true. Reflect on why you feel medical school may not be the right path for you. What's stopping you? Is there concrete evidence suggesting that abandoning psychiatry for another psychology subfield is a wise move? If prescribing and managing medications piques your interest, psychiatry could be your ideal path. However, if counselling and providing emotional support align more with your interests, consider clinical or counseling psychology.
If you're still uncertain after self-reflection, explore different subfields through elective courses. If health fascinates you, enroll in a health psychology class. If counseling intrigues you, try a counseling psychology course. Not all courses may be accessible at every institution, but it's worth checking out the psychology courses your school offers. Find what truly captivates your interest and take the plunge.
I wish you the best in this stage of your journey, and I'm confident that you'll find the path that suits you best!
Don't completely dismiss the idea of medical school just yet. If psychiatry once appealed to you, revisit those initial reasons and evaluate if they still hold true. Reflect on why you feel medical school may not be the right path for you. What's stopping you? Is there concrete evidence suggesting that abandoning psychiatry for another psychology subfield is a wise move? If prescribing and managing medications piques your interest, psychiatry could be your ideal path. However, if counselling and providing emotional support align more with your interests, consider clinical or counseling psychology.
If you're still uncertain after self-reflection, explore different subfields through elective courses. If health fascinates you, enroll in a health psychology class. If counseling intrigues you, try a counseling psychology course. Not all courses may be accessible at every institution, but it's worth checking out the psychology courses your school offers. Find what truly captivates your interest and take the plunge.
I wish you the best in this stage of your journey, and I'm confident that you'll find the path that suits you best!
Thank you so much. I truly appreciate this!
Simar
Timothy Moy
1
Answer
Updated
Timothy’s Answer
Before you dismiss the idea entirely, make sure you understand why you believe med school is beyond your capabilities. If there's an issue you feel unable to resolve on your own, don't hesitate to seek guidance from current students or professors. They may offer valuable insights that could alleviate your worries.
If you're considering exploring other branches of psychology, a good approach is to sample various electives or courses from each field. This will give you a taste of what you might enjoy and where your interests lie. Professors can also provide advice on potential career trajectories within these fields.
To streamline your course selection process, reflect on the specific reasons that drew you to Psychiatry. Then, choose a field that aligns with those motivations. For instance, if you're fascinated by the workings of the human mind, you might find Social Psychology or Cognitive Psychology appealing. If your curiosity lies more towards understanding psychological disorders, then Criminal Psychology or Psychopathology could be your calling.
Remember, as you gain more knowledge each year, it will guide you in pinpointing the path that fits you perfectly. I, for one, began with a keen interest in Cognitive Psychology. However, as I delved deeper into each discipline, Neuropsychology emerged as my primary field of interest.
Wishing you the best of luck as you embark on this exciting journey!
If you're considering exploring other branches of psychology, a good approach is to sample various electives or courses from each field. This will give you a taste of what you might enjoy and where your interests lie. Professors can also provide advice on potential career trajectories within these fields.
To streamline your course selection process, reflect on the specific reasons that drew you to Psychiatry. Then, choose a field that aligns with those motivations. For instance, if you're fascinated by the workings of the human mind, you might find Social Psychology or Cognitive Psychology appealing. If your curiosity lies more towards understanding psychological disorders, then Criminal Psychology or Psychopathology could be your calling.
Remember, as you gain more knowledge each year, it will guide you in pinpointing the path that fits you perfectly. I, for one, began with a keen interest in Cognitive Psychology. However, as I delved deeper into each discipline, Neuropsychology emerged as my primary field of interest.
Wishing you the best of luck as you embark on this exciting journey!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Simar
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
120
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Simar! Med school is not for everyone, for sure. And yet you may change your mind. I am not sure where you are academically, but I feel ya- it can be a bit daunting to home in on exactly what you want. I studied clinical counseling and found myself similarly overwhelmed by all the different ways to practice! First off, you do not need to decide about a doctorate degree right away (depending on where you are in your studies). This is something you might do right after your Bachelor's. It may also come much later, if ever. Everyone gets to create their own timeline. What I found most useful is to talk with people who are students or working in the field. Get the pros and cons from their perspective. School can look very different from actual practice. Also being a student is like living in a bubble; it can feel glorious, warm, and safe. The real world can be a shock to the system (but this is not necessarily a bad thing). Regarding medical school- psychiatrists attend Med school and psychologists do not. Some of this may depend on how long you plan or want to be attending school. It can be good to get some work experience before making such choices. There are also a lot of supports you can access if you need help with your grades or writing and research skills. Don't sell yourself short if you do decide to pursue something with rigorous expectations. Something you can do now is figure out what you are good at! Do you enjoy deep listening and having time to sit with people, have an interest in prescribing/learning about psychiatric medication, have an interest in psychological testing or research, want to help people with addiction and trauma issues, work with children and families, prefer to work in a lab with less personal interaction, etc.? Knowing this may help you clarify what direction to take. And if you are still uncertain, sit in on classes, do some independent reading, seek employment in an entry level (or congruent with your level of education) mental health position. Take the time to truly know (best you can) your time and money is being well spent; you will also feel more confident knowing you thought things through!
Kelly Guarnieri
3
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
I agree completely with Thomas. Reading about the various areas can be enlightening and may steer your course. It is an excellent place to start (and to continue as you focus your interest).
I also recommend talking to individuals who are already in roles you think might interest you. For example, you could get in touch with a counseling center or research hospital, express your curiosity, and ask whether someone there might be available to talk. Another step, if you have the time, is to volunteer in areas you might find interesting. Offer your help as needed and explain that you would like to better understand the discipline. If you are in college, you might be eligible for federal financial aid in a work-study program.
I recognize that taking these steps might seem intimidating; however, many professionals are genuinely pleased to provide guidance to eager students. They are often very busy, so one person might be able to have a single telephone conversation (which can be useful to you nonetheless), while another person might be able to provide a more significant interaction.
Examples of institutions that might be receptive (based only on a cursory internet search and without necessarily endorsing them):
**The Mental Health Association, whose mission is "to promote mental health, with the integration of physical healthcare, to improve the care and treatment of individuals with mental illness, and to remove the stigma associated with mental health disorders and addictions." They have offices around the country.
**The Counseling Center Group, which provides "therapy for individuals, groups, couples, parents, and families serving Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C, New York City Metropolitan Areas, New Jersey, and Florida." Although there are restrictions relating to confidentiality, maybe talking to one of the professionals (therapists, support staff, interns) could provide you with a little clarity.
**The psychology department of a university may have professors or researchers who could advise you.
The best of luck to you.
I also recommend talking to individuals who are already in roles you think might interest you. For example, you could get in touch with a counseling center or research hospital, express your curiosity, and ask whether someone there might be available to talk. Another step, if you have the time, is to volunteer in areas you might find interesting. Offer your help as needed and explain that you would like to better understand the discipline. If you are in college, you might be eligible for federal financial aid in a work-study program.
I recognize that taking these steps might seem intimidating; however, many professionals are genuinely pleased to provide guidance to eager students. They are often very busy, so one person might be able to have a single telephone conversation (which can be useful to you nonetheless), while another person might be able to provide a more significant interaction.
Examples of institutions that might be receptive (based only on a cursory internet search and without necessarily endorsing them):
**The Mental Health Association, whose mission is "to promote mental health, with the integration of physical healthcare, to improve the care and treatment of individuals with mental illness, and to remove the stigma associated with mental health disorders and addictions." They have offices around the country.
**The Counseling Center Group, which provides "therapy for individuals, groups, couples, parents, and families serving Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C, New York City Metropolitan Areas, New Jersey, and Florida." Although there are restrictions relating to confidentiality, maybe talking to one of the professionals (therapists, support staff, interns) could provide you with a little clarity.
**The psychology department of a university may have professors or researchers who could advise you.
The best of luck to you.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Simar
Thomas Mathes
Real Estate Asset Manager
8
Answers
Hartford, Connecticut
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
This is such an interesting and challenging field. Maybe start with some of the foundation psychology courses, and find out what areas interest you. And if you have access to a library, find a few books about the various areas of psychology and what interests you the most. It's a very interesting field of study and profession. And after exploring these areas, it's ok if you discover you don't have much interest, or you that have a strong interest in certain area. I hope this was helpful.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Simar