How can I explore all of the job options in children’s psychology?
I am going into this particular field, and would like to know what all the job options would be, even the not so common ones. #jobs #child-psychology
2 answers
Zeeshan’s Answer
There are a number of dynamic, rewarding careers in the field of psychology that involve working with children. The professionals in these fields are devoted to the mental, educational, and social well-being of the children they work with, and are able to make a significant difference through their work. If you're a psychologist and love working with kids, you'll want to consider one of these career paths:
Child Psychologist
Child psychologists can be found in a number of professional environments, such as schools, hospitals, research settings, and private practices. They work with children, assessing their psychological, social, behavioral, and emotional needs, and work towards fulfilling these needs. Depending on the setting, child psychologists may diagnose and treat mental disorders in children, or they may help children overcome behavioral problems and thrive in social situations.
Education Required: In general, child psychologists need to have a doctorate degree in psychology, although there are some jobs available to those with a master's degree.
Salary: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary for child psychologists is $64,000.
School Psychologist
School psychologists work closely with other professionals in the education system--teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents--to help children thrive not only emotionally and psychologically, but also academically. The work of a school psychologist involves assessing and diagnosing learning problems, offering counseling to children, designing behavioral interventions, and fostering supportive learning environments.
Education Required: School psychologists are typically required to hold a specialist degree in school psychology, known as an Ed.S. degree. These degrees require two years of graduate-level coursework, as well as a supervised one-year internship. In some states, however, it is possible to become licensed as a school psychologist with only a master's degree.
Salary: The median annual salary for school psychologists is $71,070.
Developmental Psychologist
Developmental psychologists work to understand the ways in which humans grow and change over the course of their lifetime. Some developmental psychologists specifically focus on old age or lifelong development, while others devote their time to studying childhood development. Their job is to ask questions regarding the growth and development of children, and to conduct research to find answers to those questions. How do children develop a sense of morality? How are language skills acquired? How do childhood events affect relationships later in life? Some developmental psychologists, instead of conducting research, spend their time working directly with children. They assess and diagnose potential developmental delays and disabilities, and design interventions to overcome them.
Education Required: A Ph.D. or Psy.D. in developmental psychology is required to become a developmental psychologist.
Salary: The median annual salary for developmental psychologists is $80,051.
School Counselor
School counselors provide counseling services to students, offering support not only academically, but also with personal, social, and career-oriented issues as well. School counselors help students choose classes and colleges, and offer assistance with exploring potential career paths. They also work with students who need help with personal issues or social conflicts, and they are a resource for young people who are seeking to develop new skills.
Education Required: School counselors must hold a master's degree from an accredited program. They must also acquire a certain amount of clinical experience under the supervision of their professor or mentor, and must complete state licensing examinations with passing scores.
Salary: The median annual salary for a school counselor is $57,800.
Hope this helps
All the best !!
Kind Regards
Ken’s Answer
Congratulations on being interested in an important helping field. This area is very broad, so it is a good idea to get to know yourself better and then to get to know how you might fit into this field in a way that will allow you to be most productive and fulfilled. From my experience and the experience of others, here are some tips that you can start using now and when you first get to college.
Ken recommends the following next steps: