4 answers
Brian
Student
Anaheim, California
1
Question
Asked
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What made you pursue going into the psychology field?
Hi my name is Brian and I have some questions that I would like to ask regarding the psychology field and possibly find my dream job in that field. First off, when did you realize you wanted to be in the psychology field and what is the reason you pursued it? What were the steps you took to be in the place you are in now? How long did it take you to be in the field and what job in the field are you in? Is there a specific reason you chose this pathway? What was the hardest and the easiest obstacle you overcame? Was there a personal matter that made you stick with this pathway(such as coming from a family that chose this pathway)? #Fall24
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1903
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Brian !
I majored in Theatre and minored in Social Science in college. Acting is my primary thing, but when I was 13, I started taking an interest in human services. I think that the influence centers on two things. One, my mother and sister were college students at the same time and I used to read their psychology textbooks. Secondly, I always loved people, their stories and what makes them who they are. It greatly helps with Acting, too. Although I never strove to be a mental health professional, I was a human services case manager and had numerous mentally ill clients. I was continually trained throughout that career on all aspects of mental illness. I also had ten years of training for Deaf Culture because towards the end of that career, I had some deaf clients, too. I also transitioned to this career because I enjoyed non-profit more than high corporate settings. I just wanted to help people and the community.
I moved from one entertainment industry hub to the other one and saw that the one I moved to didn't use my type very often so I quit the Union and transitioned to social services. I applied for a high school level position the first time, working with clients in an employment program and got hired right away as I had the Bachelors Degree so they thought that was a bonus. Through that job I met someone, a contact, that made it possible to obtain my first full time social service position. The transition went that smooth because I was also in a major city which had tons of opportunities. I retired from social services and working with mental health clients in 2018 and transitioned back to my always love - acting.
In retrospect, if I had to say what the biggest challenge was, I'd have to say vicarious trauma. I was able to manage it, but it's sometimes very overwhelming to be with so many individuals that have had such traumatic experiences and serious drug addiction. You develop a rapport with your clients when you are a case manager and you really connect with them and want the best for them. You wouldn't be getting that same connection as a psychologist, though. The easiest obstacle was getting that first job in a field of work I had not majored in.
I'd say my reason to remain in that field (till 2018) had nothing to do with me personally or socially, I just preferred working in human services and not in business. I believed I had a lot more to offer in the social service realm than in business.
Best wishes to you in your future plans.
I majored in Theatre and minored in Social Science in college. Acting is my primary thing, but when I was 13, I started taking an interest in human services. I think that the influence centers on two things. One, my mother and sister were college students at the same time and I used to read their psychology textbooks. Secondly, I always loved people, their stories and what makes them who they are. It greatly helps with Acting, too. Although I never strove to be a mental health professional, I was a human services case manager and had numerous mentally ill clients. I was continually trained throughout that career on all aspects of mental illness. I also had ten years of training for Deaf Culture because towards the end of that career, I had some deaf clients, too. I also transitioned to this career because I enjoyed non-profit more than high corporate settings. I just wanted to help people and the community.
I moved from one entertainment industry hub to the other one and saw that the one I moved to didn't use my type very often so I quit the Union and transitioned to social services. I applied for a high school level position the first time, working with clients in an employment program and got hired right away as I had the Bachelors Degree so they thought that was a bonus. Through that job I met someone, a contact, that made it possible to obtain my first full time social service position. The transition went that smooth because I was also in a major city which had tons of opportunities. I retired from social services and working with mental health clients in 2018 and transitioned back to my always love - acting.
In retrospect, if I had to say what the biggest challenge was, I'd have to say vicarious trauma. I was able to manage it, but it's sometimes very overwhelming to be with so many individuals that have had such traumatic experiences and serious drug addiction. You develop a rapport with your clients when you are a case manager and you really connect with them and want the best for them. You wouldn't be getting that same connection as a psychologist, though. The easiest obstacle was getting that first job in a field of work I had not majored in.
I'd say my reason to remain in that field (till 2018) had nothing to do with me personally or socially, I just preferred working in human services and not in business. I believed I had a lot more to offer in the social service realm than in business.
Best wishes to you in your future plans.
Charles Ituah
School Counsellor
13
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Charles’s Answer
Hello Brian, how are you? I hope all is well with you today.
Well for one, psychology is an ever-growing field with so many opportunities for career growth and excellence and once both feet have been firmly planted in the water, it is an opportunity to shine in this field truly.
My journey in the field of psychology started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and it was a defining moment for me when I had to choose between doing the same old thing or charting a new path in my life.
I joined an organization in Nigeria called Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative in late 2020 where I served as a Crisis Counselor during a challenging time in my country and that led me to help more people as time went by.
So in 2021, I made a decision to take certification courses in Psychology, Mental Health and Counselling and for 4 years I devoted my time to studying and practicing as a Mental Health Counselor, Therapist and Student Mentor.
I worked in various notable organizations and I enjoyed my time doing client-facing roles which I loved doing because it was very rewarding and exciting.
However in early 2024, I got burned out doing client-facing roles as I needed a different experience with a fresh outlook in life and so I decided to find opportunities as a Student Counselor and that is what led me to this moment in my life.
So Brian, your own story might be different from mine but I want you to embrace three principles of life.
1. Be Teachable
2. Be Curious
3. Be Kind and Empathetic
With these three principles, anything is possible for you to achieve in life,
You got this Brian.
Well for one, psychology is an ever-growing field with so many opportunities for career growth and excellence and once both feet have been firmly planted in the water, it is an opportunity to shine in this field truly.
My journey in the field of psychology started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and it was a defining moment for me when I had to choose between doing the same old thing or charting a new path in my life.
I joined an organization in Nigeria called Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative in late 2020 where I served as a Crisis Counselor during a challenging time in my country and that led me to help more people as time went by.
So in 2021, I made a decision to take certification courses in Psychology, Mental Health and Counselling and for 4 years I devoted my time to studying and practicing as a Mental Health Counselor, Therapist and Student Mentor.
I worked in various notable organizations and I enjoyed my time doing client-facing roles which I loved doing because it was very rewarding and exciting.
However in early 2024, I got burned out doing client-facing roles as I needed a different experience with a fresh outlook in life and so I decided to find opportunities as a Student Counselor and that is what led me to this moment in my life.
So Brian, your own story might be different from mine but I want you to embrace three principles of life.
1. Be Teachable
2. Be Curious
3. Be Kind and Empathetic
With these three principles, anything is possible for you to achieve in life,
You got this Brian.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
613
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Brian,
It’s wonderful to hear about your interest in psychology! It’s a field full of opportunities to make a difference, and I’d be happy to share my journey with you.
For me, I knew I wanted to pursue psychology when I realized how deeply curious I was about human behavior and how the mind works. I’ve always loved trying to understand why people think, feel, and act the way they do. Choosing psychology allowed me to turn that curiosity into a meaningful career, helping others navigate their challenges and improve their well-being.
The steps I took started with psychology courses in college, which really confirmed my passion. Afterward, I focused on gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteer opportunities. These experiences were invaluable for learning how psychology applies in the real world and narrowing down my interests. I eventually pursued graduate studies and specialized in my current role as a counselor, which took me about 5 years.
The most challenging part of my journey was balancing the demanding coursework in graduate school with my personal life. It took time, patience, and a lot of support from mentors and peers. But the easiest part? Staying passionate—psychology is such a fascinating field that it always motivated me to keep going.
My motivation came from personal experiences. For example, I once volunteered at a youth center and saw how meaningful guidance could change someone’s life. Moments like that reminded me why I chose this path and kept me focused even during tough times.
To explore psychology further, I recommend taking an introductory course, shadowing a professional in the field, or volunteering in a mental health organization. These steps can help you discover the areas of psychology that resonate most with you, whether it’s clinical work, research, counseling, or something else entirely.
Best wishes!
It’s wonderful to hear about your interest in psychology! It’s a field full of opportunities to make a difference, and I’d be happy to share my journey with you.
For me, I knew I wanted to pursue psychology when I realized how deeply curious I was about human behavior and how the mind works. I’ve always loved trying to understand why people think, feel, and act the way they do. Choosing psychology allowed me to turn that curiosity into a meaningful career, helping others navigate their challenges and improve their well-being.
The steps I took started with psychology courses in college, which really confirmed my passion. Afterward, I focused on gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteer opportunities. These experiences were invaluable for learning how psychology applies in the real world and narrowing down my interests. I eventually pursued graduate studies and specialized in my current role as a counselor, which took me about 5 years.
The most challenging part of my journey was balancing the demanding coursework in graduate school with my personal life. It took time, patience, and a lot of support from mentors and peers. But the easiest part? Staying passionate—psychology is such a fascinating field that it always motivated me to keep going.
My motivation came from personal experiences. For example, I once volunteered at a youth center and saw how meaningful guidance could change someone’s life. Moments like that reminded me why I chose this path and kept me focused even during tough times.
To explore psychology further, I recommend taking an introductory course, shadowing a professional in the field, or volunteering in a mental health organization. These steps can help you discover the areas of psychology that resonate most with you, whether it’s clinical work, research, counseling, or something else entirely.
Best wishes!
Clay Arvin
Supervisor
3
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Clay’s Answer
What made me interested in psych was just how fascinating it was. In high school I wasn’t really that interested in any of my classes, I just couldn’t find the energy to apply myself. I took a psych class my junior year just to try something new. I was hooked by how little I knew about how humans operate and it was topics of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and general social psych topics. I was hooked.
When it comes to figuring out what you want from life, look for things that excite you. If you really like math and you are just giddy at the thought of answering and equation then learn more about it, read books about it. Even outside the class room there is so much to learn.
Just know that you can be excited about something and it can wear off over time. That’s not a bad thing, if you stick with it, that just shows how much you truly like it and those times of excitement will pop up.
Reality is that you’re not always going to be up, there will be down and that’s natural and it won’t mean you don’t like what you’re doing. You may just be stuck in a mental rut. But your passions will be clear by what you decide to stick with over your life.
Pick something you love and it will keep giving back to you.
When it comes to figuring out what you want from life, look for things that excite you. If you really like math and you are just giddy at the thought of answering and equation then learn more about it, read books about it. Even outside the class room there is so much to learn.
Just know that you can be excited about something and it can wear off over time. That’s not a bad thing, if you stick with it, that just shows how much you truly like it and those times of excitement will pop up.
Reality is that you’re not always going to be up, there will be down and that’s natural and it won’t mean you don’t like what you’re doing. You may just be stuck in a mental rut. But your passions will be clear by what you decide to stick with over your life.
Pick something you love and it will keep giving back to you.