Career questions tagged psychiatrists


Is there a route going into Psychiatry that does not involve touching people?
Hi, I know it's a weird question at first, but hear me out. I have a BS in Biological Sciences and was originally going to school looking to be a Plant Scientist, allowing myself to keep my options open by taking courses in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, soil biology, organic chemistry, physics, etc. But after being in Environmental Microbiology labs for 2.5 years, going to therapy/psychiatrists myself, and being the go-to person to help friends and family with their emotional issues, I realized I'm more naturally inclined to interact with and help people. Because of my love for science, I want a career that will allow me to combine science and psychology, so I have been looking into Psychiatry, with the hope that there is an intersection between Psychiatry and Genetics because I have grown a love for Genetics as well over the years. But here's the issue: I simply cannot fathom using an IV, hanging a blood bag, and physically touching people in a medical sense. It makes me very queasy and I already know it is not something I am willing to do, even in the short-term. I have spoken to a Psychiatrist in the field that indicated many routes to being a Psychiatrist include these medical practices in some way, and because I hoping that is not true I am coming here to ask a larger professional community. Is there a route from the Biological Sciences degree I have to Psychiatry that does not involve mandatory clinical medical techniques? And while I am here, are any of these routes less financially taxing than others? #Spring25

What experiences should I obtain to help me stand out to get my residency?
I learned that getting a psychiatry residency is quite competitive, so I want to know what experiences will help me stand out.

Difficulties becoming a psychiatrist...?
What difficulties might one face in trying to become a psychiatrist? How might they overcome them?

Sub-fields of Psychiatry...
While researching the career field, I found out that there are sub-fields of psychiatry. I am aware of the following: - Addiction Psychiatry - Geriatric Psychiatry - Pediatric Psychiatry - Neuropsychiatry What do these sub-fields mean? Are there other sub-fields I should be aware of? How does one get into these fields?

Psychiatrist career ladder...
What are the steps ( in chronological order) to becoming a psychiatrist? I understand that one must achieve a bachelor's degree, go to med-school, and complete a residency, but I am not sure what order these steps should be taken in.

Psychiatry and IT...
Do psychiatrists use IT skills at all? If so, what specific skills might be necessary? Are there any certifications that might be useful for the career path?

A few questions about becoming a psychiatrist...
What are some of the challenges a new employee might face as a psychiatrist? What were some challenges you had to face during your initial weeks at the company and how did you overcome them? What are the parts of the job that are not commonly talked about or considered taboo?

Psychiatrists daily schedule
What is like to be a psychiatrist day to day? Do you get a lot of vacation days? Who employs you? #psychiatrists #medical

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
#psychiatrists #psychologist

Should I take psychology to become a psychiatrist
I thought psychology would be a good thing to study if I wanted to be a psychiatrist but I feel like I should take a harder math major instead #psychiatry #psychiatrists #psychiatric-care #healthcare #hospital-and-health-care #psychology

Do surgeons or doctors in general have a difficult time developing their personal lives and would surgery be a bad option for someone who intends to be involved in their family life?
I hope to pursue cardio-thoracic surgery. #doctor #career #healthcare #psychiatrists #hospital-and-health-care #medicine

What majors/minors should I pursue if I want to become a Psychiatrist?
I would like to become a psychiatrist to work with people and the brain, but also to be in the medical field. I am planning on majoring in psychology, but wondering if I should major in pre-med or neurobiology or anything like that. #pre-med #clinical-psychology #psychiatry #psychiatrists

What are medical residencies like?
I want to go into psychiatry and 4-5 years of the schooling is medical residencies. I just want to know what to expect and what I am getting myself into. #medicine #psychiatry #psychiatrists #doctor #hospital-and-health-care

Difference between actually counseling and being a psychiatrist?
I'm considering being a counseling psychologist or a psychiatrist, I'm wondering what people who are in these professions think about the two different careers. How do they differ? What kind of work do you do day to day? #psychology #counseling #psychiatry #psychiatrists

What does work as a psychiatrist entail?
I enrolled as a psychology major at Rutgers and am interested in pursuing a career as a psychiatrist but am unsure if this is the right choice for me. I am more interested in the science and research aspect of this field rather than the communication aspect. Should I look into another career path or are there different areas of psychology/psychiatry that would suit me? #psychology #psychiatry #psychologist #psychiatrists

If I want to become a psychiatrist, should I major in biology in college with the pre-med track or psychology with the pre-med track?
I want to become either a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. I know that to become a clinical psychologist you don't have to go to medical school but to become a psychiatrist you do have to attend medical school. Is it better for me to major in psychology or biology if I want to get into medical school to study psychiatry? #doctor #medicine #clinical-psychology #psychiatry #psychiatrists